A gap where a tooth used to be affects more than your smile. Tilbury Dental Care, at 1 Jeffrey St W in Tilbury, offers dental implants as one way to fill that space, next to bridges and dentures. Which of those suits you depends on your gums, your bone, your general health and what you want from the new tooth, and we can only answer that once we have examined you. Call (519) 682-1263 to book an implant consultation.
Why replace a missing tooth?
Once a tooth is gone, its neighbours rarely stay put. The Ontario Dental Association explains that nearby teeth may shift or over-erupt into the space, and that these changes can make the area harder to keep clean and raise the risk of gum disease and cavities. In its words, “Teeth should be replaced for proper chewing, to prevent other teeth from shifting, to retain jawbone level at the site, and for esthetic reasons.”
What a dental implant is
The Ontario Dental Association describes implants simply: “Dental implants are artificial roots used to support replacement teeth.” A small metal post goes beneath the gum into the jawbone. Over a few months the bone fuses to the post, and after that the replacement tooth is attached on top.
One implant can carry a single crown. A few implants together can anchor a bridge or hold a denture steady, and our implant dentures page covers that option in more detail.
Implant, bridge or denture?
Each way of replacing teeth has its own trade-offs:
Implant: a surgical treatment that replaces both the root and the visible tooth.
Bridge: a non-surgical option in which a false tooth is held by crowns on the natural teeth on either side of the gap.
Denture: a removable full or partial set of teeth, made in a lab from measurements and impressions of your mouth.
Your dentist will go through how each one would work in your mouth, what it involves and what it costs, before you choose.
What we check before an implant
Gums. Gum disease can harm the bone that an implant depends on, so any gum problems are treated before an implant is planned.
Bone. There has to be enough bone to hold the post. The Ontario Dental Association notes that “A bone graft may also be necessary after an extraction.”
Health and medications. Some conditions and medicines affect healing, so please tell us about yours.
X-rays. Images show the bone and the teeth next to the gap and help plan where the post should go.
Some parts of implant treatment may be better done by a dental specialist, such as an oral surgeon or a periodontist. If that applies to you, we will tell you and explain why.
How treatment usually unfolds
Planning: the exam, the X-rays and a conversation about your options and the cost.
Placement: a surgical visit to set the post in the jaw. You will be told beforehand how the area will be numbed and how to look after it in the days that follow.
Healing: the bone bonds to the post over the next few months. How long this takes varies from person to person.
The new tooth: once healing is complete, the crown, bridge or denture is attached to the implant.
Caring for an implant
An implant cannot decay, but the gum and bone around it still need daily care. Brush in the morning and before bed, clean between your teeth every day, and keep up regular checkups and cleanings so the area can be checked over time. Your hygienist can show you how to clean around your implant.
Dental implants in Tilbury, Ontario
Tilbury Dental Care is at 1 Jeffrey St W, Tilbury, ON N0P 2L0. Our dentists are general dentists. If you are weighing up how to replace a missing tooth, you can also read about teeth in a day in Tilbury, for when a whole arch of teeth needs replacing.
Dental implant FAQs
Do you offer dental implants in Tilbury?
Yes. Tilbury Dental Care offers dental implants at 1 Jeffrey St W in Tilbury. An exam and X-rays come first to see whether an implant suits you.
Am I a good candidate for a dental implant?
That depends on your gums, the bone where the tooth is missing and your general health. The dentist checks all three at your exam before recommending an implant or another option.
How long does implant treatment take?
After the post is placed, the bone usually needs a few months to fuse with it before the new tooth goes on. Your own timeline depends on your mouth and is explained at the planning stage.
Will I need a bone graft?
Not always. The Ontario Dental Association notes that a bone graft may be needed after an extraction. Your X-rays show whether there is enough bone.
Are implants the only way to replace a missing tooth?
No. Bridges and dentures are other ways to replace teeth. The dentist will compare them with an implant so you can choose.
Book an implant consultation
Call (519) 682-1263 or send us a message through our contact page.