If you have lost a tooth, or multiple teeth, you may be considering dental implant surgery. Implants are by far the best option for tooth replacement, since they look, feel, and function like natural teeth. There are a number of excellent dental implant surgeons in the GTA who can advise you as to whether or not this procedure is right for you. Some dentists perform the surgery, but it is more likely that you’ll want to seek out an experienced periodontist. These dental professionals undergo rigorous specialist training after dentistry school, and the best ones update their training regularly to stay up-to-date with cutting-edge technologies.

In days gone by, missing teeth were more common. Your grandparents’ generation may not have had access to good dental care, or information about caring for teeth. Dentures were prevalent amongst previous generations, and missing teeth were less likely to be a source of embarrassment.

However, lost teeth now carry a certain amount of stigma. There are certain stereotypes about people with missing teeth, and whether or not these apply to you, others may judge you harshly. A lost tooth in the front of your mouth can be a blow to your self-image and can lead to a loss of confidence. Even if the missing tooth is not immediately visible, the gap will eventually cause other teeth to drift, the jawbone in that area to thin, and the shape of your face to change.

In addition, when a tooth is lost, speech may become more difficult. Your speech may sound slurred or garbled, and it may be hard for others to understand. This can also impact your self-confidence and lead to social isolation.

Lost teeth can also impact your health and your nutrition. You may be unable to chew certain foods, and that can lead to choking. If you avoid a large number of foods because they’re difficult to chew, you may be short-changing your diet, leading to poor nutrition. Alternatively, you may feel obliged to grind or liquefy foods in order to make them manageable, and that can lead to a loss of enjoyment in food and dining.

Titanium dental implants have been performed since the mid-1960s, when a Swedish surgeon originated the procedure. In recent decades, their popularity has skyrocketed, and hundreds of thousands of dental implant surgeries are performed each year in Canada. The procedure itself takes place over a number of months. First, your periodontist will place the implant – a small titanium post – in the jawbone below where the tooth was lost. Your gum will be stitched back together, and will begin healing. After a few months, the titanium will fuse with the bone of the jaw. At this point, an "abutment” or small metal piece will be attached to the titanium, and then an artificial tooth will be fitted to the abutment. Care of dental implants is similar to care of your natural teeth, and in most cases, implants will be indistinguishable from the rest of your teeth.

If you’ve lost a tooth, look for a skilled and experienced dental surgeon in the GTA and find your smile again!