Dental Implants in Red Deer County, AB

Having a missing tooth, no matter the reason, can affect your quality of life in numerous ways. It can influence your diet and speaking voice. It can cause your teeth to shift, lead to bone loss in your jaw, change the shape of your lower face, and even lead to further dental issues and tooth loss.  It may be surprising to learn that more than twenty-three percent of people are living with a missing tooth, and almost 10 percent have no teeth remaining. 

Ignoring a gap in your smile can be detrimental to your oral health over time. During your dental appointment with Dr. Whitehead, we can discuss your current dental health state, your future smile goals, and all the tooth restoration options that are available. Give our dental staff a call at (403) 343-8622, so we can start the journey to your new smile. 

Don’t neglect your smile anymore!  Continue reading to learn more about dental implants in Red Deer County, AB.

Dental Implants in T4E 0A5

Gum disease, tooth decay, injury, and failed root canals that didn’t take are all common reasons why tooth loss occurs. Even the most diligent patients who take care of their teeth and gums still face tooth loss, but we can restore your smile if this happens.  If you decide a dental implant is the treatment option you would like to pursue, Dr. Whitehead will refer you to a specialist to have the implant placed and then you will return to our office to have the implant crown (the tooth part) placed.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are thin biocompatible titanium posts that are inserted into the jawbone surgically.  After the dental implants have healed, or integrated with your jawbone, they function as a new tooth root. The visible portion of the dental implant is called a dental crown, which is the portion of the implant our dental office places. The root portion of the dental implant is the titanium post.  The combination of the crown and root portions of the implant should function and look like a natural tooth. 

Additionally, a few well-placed dental implants can support an entire arch of new restoration teeth on a denture or bridge. This means the stability of a dental implant can be available without undergoing the implant process for every missing tooth!

Your dentist in Red Deer County, AB, will always encourage patients to consider dental implants as an option for a permanent restoration. When a tooth is missing, it creates a gap in your smile that is not only embarrassing but can affect chewing and speech. Over time, the bone starts to recede without a tooth root to anchor it. Additionally, neighbouring teeth can shift towards the gap and change the layout of your smile—often requiring orthodontic treatment to fix misaligned teeth. 

Are Dental Implants Right for Me?

The process begins with a comprehensive exam and a conversation with your dentist. We want to hear more about your smile goals. Additionally, your dentist will make sure your bones are in shape for dental implant placement.

Considerations for dental implants—depending on upper or lower jaw placement—include:

  • Oral health conditions
  • Bone health in the jaw
  • The positioning of your upper sinus

In some cases, your dentist may recommend pre-treatments and procedures to bring you into candidacy for dental implants if that is the tooth replacement option you choose.

Your dentist will discuss everything with you and make recommendations.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

Your general dentist in Red Deer County understands that tooth loss can influence everything from your self-esteem to your diet and oral health. For these reasons, we recommend tooth replacement when teeth are missing.

Dental implants are the only option that replace your tooth and its root. This means no adhesives and no relines or adjustments as are done with dentures.

There are many other advantages to dental implants as well, including:

  • Restoring a missing tooth
  • Providing support for a dental bridge
  • Providing support for implant dentures
  • Stimulating bone growth
  • Preventing bone recession
  • Preventing tooth shifting

Our patients have been very pleased with their dental implant treatment in Red Deer County, AB. We think you will be too.

Avoiding Future Tooth Loss

The best way to prevent additional lost teeth is to visit your dentist regularly. Based on your oral health profile, your dentist prescribes an in-office treatment schedule. It is essential to keep these appointments to lower your risks for tooth loss. During these exams, your dentist checks for emerging oral health conditions, including oral cancers and periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is a series of infections in the tissues surrounding your teeth. Without treatment, periodontal disease leads to tooth loss and can even threaten your full body wellness.  Your dentist will take periodic x-rays to look beneath the surface as well.  Also, it is crucial to schedule and keep regular teeth cleanings. These cleanings clear away the debris and bacteria that your toothbrush and dental floss leave behind. The debris that may lead to deep decay, infections, and periodontal disease.

In partnership with your dentist, you should also brush and floss regularly and maintain a healthy diet low in sugar to protect your smile health.

Aside from check-ups, teeth cleanings, and good oral care in the home, we also recommend the following precautions:

  • Wear a mouthguard if you play contact or team sports.
  • Wear a nightguard if you have bruxism (grinding and clenching your teeth).
  • Never use your teeth as a tool—opening a bottle, for example.
  • Contact your dentist if you have a toothache or other oral health changes.

Often an oral health change like tooth sensitivity or a blister on the gum means a root infection. Left untreated, this can mean loss of the infected tooth and even spread of infection to adjacent teeth.

At Gasoline Alley Dental, we want you to maintain your teeth and gums for life. We want you to enjoy a comfortable and full smile as well.

Are You Ready to Restore Your Smile?

If you’re considering dental implants in Red Deer County AB, contact your dentist near you to schedule a dental implant consultation with Dr. Whitehead. The addition of a dental implant can provide function and beauty to your smile, along with the protection of your oral health.