Dental Implants

Are you missing a tooth? Fill the gap with implants from Bow Island Dental Centre

Dental implants offer a great alternative to traditional dentures. Not only do they typically require fewer adjustments versus regular dentures over their lifetime, but they also boast longer durability on average. That means you can keep enjoying your favourite crunchy foods, without worrying about discomfort or your dentures slipping while chewing.

It’s time to take back your bite with help from Bow Island Dental Centre — just a quick drive away from Medicine Hat!

What are dental implants?

A two-part structure, dental implants feature a titanium base and a porcelain crown.

After we implant the base (metal post) into your jaw bone, it should fuse into the bone in a few months. This creates a firm foundation for us to place a crown — an artificial tooth cap. Your custom-shaped crown will be colour-matched to blend with your natural teeth, giving you a comfortable, firm bite, and a big, natural-looking smile!

Benefits:

• Comfortable, stronger bite
• Supported facial muscles (which can sag with missing teeth)
• Clearer speech
• Increased confidence because your beautiful smile is restored

This implant won’t decay and will even stimulate and preserve the structure of your jaw bone, which can sometimes deteriorate when you have gaps in your teeth.

Is this procedure the best choice for me?

Regardless of your age, you can get dental implants as long as your teeth are at their mature size and your general oral health is in good condition.

Though this procedure requires surgery (and as such may not be completely covered by dental insurance), it is a long-lasting solution for missing teeth, and so, is worth consideration.

If you’re looking for an alternative to dentures, or you’re on the fence about dental implants in general, contact us and we’d be happy to help. At Bow Island Dental Centre, we can help you determine the best procedure for you, to give you back a strong and beautiful smile.

Because you deserve the biggest smiles!

Pre – Op Implant Instructions

• Try not to plan any important or strenuous event until a week after the implant surgery. The first few days after the operation will be dedicated to resting adequately and caring for your oral cavity. While some patients are able to return to their normal routine after three days, you should err on the side of caution and avoid any kind of hectic schedule immediately after the surgery.
• Avoid all substances that may thin the blood and increase chances of bruising:  Aspirin, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Alcohol, Vitamin E, St Johns Wart, Garlic, Turmeric, Ginkgo and Omega Fatty Acids. 
• Follow your doctor’s recommendations.
• Before you go for your appointment, remove any makeup and put on loose-fitting and comfortable clothing. A short sleeve t shirt is needed as your blood pressure is monitored for the procedure, you will also be fully draped as this is a sterile environment.
• Ensure that you get enough rest the night before the surgery. That way, you will have sufficient energy to recover quickly after the procedure.
• To ensure a successful dental implant surgery, you need to keep your oral hygiene routine at its best. Slacking on dental care can cause infection and slow the rate of healing. It may also cause the dental implant to fail prematurely. By following the steps listed above, you will be fully prepared for your procedure.

Implant Surgery Post-Operative Instructions

• Eat a liquid diet for the first 6 hours following surgery unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.
• Avoid strenuous work or exercise for at least 1 week after surgery.
• Apply ice to face to reduce swelling the day of surgery.
• Apply gauze directly over the surgical area and bite gently to stop bleeding.
• Take prescribed medications as instructed by your doctor and finish the antibiotics.
• Drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest during the first 48 hours.
• Maintain good nutrition during the healing period.
• NOTE: sutures may come out with gentle brushing, and a small amount of bleeding is normal.

Things to Avoid After Surgery

• Do not smoke after surgery
• No consumption of alcoholic beverages for a period of 2 weeks after implant surgery.
• Avoid chewing hard foods for a period of 3 months after the implant surgery.
• Keep fingers and tongue away from surgical site.

NITROUS OXIDE Pre-Operative Instructions

• DO NOT eat or drink anything 2 hours prior to the appointment. This includes water. Nitrous oxide can cause “stomach butterflies” (nausea), which may result in vomiting.
• Wear loose clothing that does not restrict breathing and allows a blood pressure cuff to be placed on the skin of your upper arm. Please avoid turtlenecks and dresses.
• DO NOT wear contact lenses. Please wear your glasses instead.
• DO NOT wear fitted jewelry.
• DO NOT wear nail polish, shellac, or acrylic nails. A probe will be placed on your finger to monitor your pulse and oxygen while the nitrous oxide is being administered and does not work well on nail varnish or fake nails.
• Minimal makeup is best for the day of your procedure. Do not wear lipstick or heavy eye makeup.
• Perform your usual oral hygiene routine prior to your appointment.
• DO NOT ignore a head or chest cold when having a dental procedure completed. Nitrous oxide is administered through a nasal mask. You must be able to breathe through the nose (blocked nasal passages, colds, etc., defeat the idea of using nitrous oxide for relaxation). Call immediately if you have any cold symptoms. A change of appointment may be necessary.
• All minors, 15 years old or younger, must have a parent or legal guardian present to sign the consent form.
• If you are required to take antibiotic pre-medication before any dental procedure, please take your antibiotics 60 minutes before your appointment with a small sip of water.

During Nitrous Oxide

• Breathe through the nose only. Notify the doctor if you are experiencing difficulty in breathing through your nose.
• Try to keep talking to a minimum while nitrous oxide is being used. Talking blows nitrous oxide into the room, lessening the desired effect for you, and exposing the dental staff to the nitrous effects.
• You may feel nauseated, dizzy, drowsy or claustrophobic during and after nitrous oxide use.
• During the procedure, please let the staff know if you are having any issues.

Nitrous Oxide Post-Operative Care Instructions

• The gas dissipates from the body within 3 to 5 minutes after administration has stopped and the effects are rapidly ceased.
• Recovery status will be assessed following the procedure. Only fully recovered individuals can be considered for discharge unaccompanied. Should any residual symptoms remain, you must be accompanied by a responsible adult.