Dental implants are a solution for missing teeth that go beyond just replacing the tooth itself. Made from durable, biocompatible titanium, dental implants are screw-shaped posts that mimic the form and function of natural tooth roots, and are placed directly into the jawbone. They can provide support for a variety of restorations, from single crowns to full mouth reconstructions, and with the proper care, can last 25 years to life.
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When you’re missing a tooth, your jaw bone is no longer stimulated by chewing forces. This leads to bone resorption, or bone loss. Dental implants effectively stop the progression of bone resorption by stimulating the jaw in the same way as natural tooth roots.
Natural looking and feeling
Won’t move or shift in your mouth
Halts the progression of bone loss
Can replace one or more teeth
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Single-tooth dental implants are one of the most common and effective restorative procedures in modern dentistry. They consist of a titanium post inserted into the jawbone, which serves as a stable foundation for a dental crown. This combination restores the function and appearance of a natural tooth, allowing patients to chew, speak, and smile with confidence.
Compared to alternative tooth replacement options like traditional dental bridges or partial dentures, single-tooth implants offer several advantages. They provide a longer-lasting solution, often with a lifespan of 20 years or more. Additionally, dental implants help maintain the integrity of the jawbone by stimulating bone growth, preventing bone loss, and promoting overall oral health.
In many cases, single-tooth implants are preferred for their durability and the fact that they don’t require altering surrounding teeth, as is necessary with bridges. If you're looking for a reliable, low-maintenance option to restore a missing tooth, a single-tooth implant paired with a custom crown could be the ideal solution for you.
If you're missing two or more teeth in a row, an implant-supported bridge is an excellent option for restoring both function and appearance. This advanced dental restoration uses dental implants to securely support a custom bridge, offering a permanent solution without altering your healthy teeth, as is necessary with traditional bridges.
The process involves placing dental implants into the jawbone, allowing them to fuse with the bone (osseointegration). After healing, a custom bridge is attached to the implants, restoring your smile and function.
Unlike traditional bridges, implant-supported bridges offer a more permanent and low-maintenance solution for missing teeth. They preserve your natural tooth structure, prevent bone loss, and provide a comfortable, long-term solution for tooth replacement.
Implant-retained dentures, also known as overdentures or snap-in dentures, offer a stable, natural-feeling solution for replacing a full arch of missing teeth. These removable dentures are securely anchored by 2 or more dental implants, providing greater stability compared to traditional dentures, which rely on friction, suction, or adhesives. With implant-retained overdentures, you can enjoy increased comfort and confidence, knowing your dentures won’t slip or shift.
For those seeking a more permanent solution, hybrid dentures are a non-removable option. These implant-retained dentures are securely fixed in place with dental implants, offering enhanced security, function, and a more permanent restoration for those who prefer a fixed solution over removable dentures.
The process for implant-retained dentures involves placing dental implants into the jawbone. After the implants have integrated with the bone (a process called osseointegration), your custom denture—either removable or non-removable—will be attached.
With hybrid dentures, the implants are used to anchor a fixed denture in place for a permanent solution, while overdentures remain removable for easy cleaning and maintenance.
All-on-X dental implants—commonly referred to as All-on-4 or hybrid dentures—are an advanced, fixed tooth replacement solution designed for patients who are missing an entire arch of teeth, whether in the upper or lower jaw. Unlike traditional dentures, which rest on the gums and can shift or become loose, All-on-X restorations are anchored by four or more dental implants strategically placed in the jawbone. These implants provide a secure and stable foundation for a full arch of prosthetic teeth, delivering a solution that looks, feels, and functions like natural teeth.
One of the key advantages of All-on-X full-arch restorations—often called hybrid dentures due to their fixed yet denture-like appearance—is that they are non-removable by the patient. This means you don’t need to take them out at night, as you would with conventional dentures or even implant-retained overdentures. This fixed design offers greater comfort, improved chewing ability, and more confidence when speaking or smiling.
Because All-on-X implant bridges are supported by the jawbone, they also help preventbone loss by stimulating bone growth, much like natural tooth roots. The result is a longlasting, aesthetically pleasing, and highly functional solution for complete tooth loss.
Additionally, many patients appreciate the streamlined treatment process, as All-on-4 and All-on-X procedures can often be completed in a single day with immediate-load implants, depending on individual case factors.Whether you’re currently wearing dentures or are considering a full-mouth restoration, All-on-X dental implants—or hybrid dentures—offer a permanent, low-maintenance alternative that promotes long-term oral health and overall quality of life.
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If you've been missing teeth for a long time or have preexisting oral health issues like gum disease, you may not have adequate bone density to support dental implants. However, specialized procedures like bone grafting and sinus augmentation can restore the necessary bone structure, making you a suitable candidate for dental implants.
Dr. Grimard will conduct a thorough oral health evaluation to assess the condition of your gums, teeth, and jawbone. Based on your unique needs and goals, he will determine if dental implants are the right solution for you. If additional preparatory care is required, such as bone grafts, tissue grafting, or sinus augmentation, Dr. Grimard will outline a customized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
In some cases, patients may not have enough bone in the upper jaw—particularly in the back molar area—due to natural bone loss or the expansion of the sinus cavity with age.
This lack of vertical bone height can make it difficult or even impossible to place dental implants without additional support. To address this issue, sinus augmentation, also known as sinus lift surgery, is performed.
Contrary to what the name might suggest, sinus lift surgery does not enter the sinus cavity itself. Instead, it involves gently lifting the sinus membrane and placing bone graft material underneath it. This technique adds vertical bone height beneath the sinus floor, creating a strong and stable foundation for dental implants in the upper jaw.
These sinus lift procedures are a common and highly effective way to ensure long-term implant success when bone volume is limited. Sinus augmentation enhances implant stability, supports long-term durability, and expands treatment options for patients who were previously not candidates for implants in this area.
Regular hygiene and maintenance visits are essential to the long term success of your dental implant. While it’s true that dental implants won’t succumb to decay like natural teeth, the gums surrounding the implant site can still develop an infection or gum disease. It’s also important to keep an eye on how the surrounding tissue and bone bond with the implants.
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IV conscious sedation is delivered directly into your bloodstream via an IV, and allows you to enter a deeply relaxed state. You may even fall asleep during your treatment, though you will remain conscious enough to be woken up or respond to questions or commands. When used in combination with local anesthetics, IV conscious sedation can ensure your visit is a relaxing experience, free from pain or anxiety.
The effects of IV conscious sedation do last for several hours after administration, so you will need to arrange for a ride to and from your appointment.
Laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, is the lightest form of sedation available, and can keep you calm during your treatment. With little to no side effects, laughing gas is administered through a mask that goes over your nose, and takes effect almost immediately, melting away your anxieties. Laughing gas produces feelings of euphoria and drowsiness, but you will still be able to answer questions and respond to commands.
Once your procedure is complete, oxygen will flow through the mask, removing any remaining sedative, and the effects will wear off within minutes. You can even drive yourself home from your appointment.
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