OFFICE HOURS
M: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
T: 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
W: 11:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
T: 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
F: By Appt. Only
OUR LOCATION
1017 Wilson Avenue
Suite 203
Toronto, ON M3K 1Z1
Dental Implants
IMPLANT THERAPY: PRE-OPERATIVE INFORMATION
What is an implant?
An implant mimics the root of a tooth and supports a replacement tooth. They are made of titanium, a metal that is not rejected by the body. Your bone will bond to the implant (termed osseointegration) and after healing we will place the implant-supported tooth.
Who is a candidate for implant placement?
This is a healthy person without gum disease and with enough bone for implant placement (assessed by special radiographs).
How do we do the surgery?
An antibiotic will be given to you and should be started one or two days before the surgery and the course must be completed. The surgery is done painlessly with local anesthetic. A site is prepared in the bone where the implant is to be placed. The surgical site is closed with sutures. Depending on the type of implant, a second minor surgery may be required.
What happens after surgery?
A soft diet is recommended and usually there is only minor discomfort associated with this procedure. In any case, you will be prescribed appropriate pain medication. If you have a denture, it cannot be worn for two weeks following the surgery unless special allowances have been made.
Your next appointment will be approximately ten days after surgery to check healing and remove sutures.
The second appointment will be 2-3 months after surgery to verify clinically and radiographically that the implant has integrated with the bone, at which point the crown part for the implant will begin.
POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS: IMPLANT SURGERY
Medication: The prescribed antibiotic should be started one or two days before the surgery and the course must be completed.
Discomfort: There should be minimal discomfort following implant placement. Advil (3 tabs every 4-6 hours) or extra strength Tylenol are usually sufficient but an optional prescription for Tylenol 3 will be given.
Swelling: Ice packs should be used immediately after the surgery to avoid swelling. A cold pack (ice or frozen vegetables) can be used on the side of the face for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off for the first twelve hours following surgery.
Bleeding: It is not unusual to have some slight bleeding. If the site continues to bleed, bite on a piece of gauze (or moistened teabag) for twenty minutes. Bleeding can be avoided by keeping your head elevated for the first evening, discontinuing your usual exercise regime for 1-2 days, restricting yourself to a soft diet and by avoiding smoking, which also delays healing and irritates tissues.
Oral Hygiene: After surgery, it is important to keep your teeth and mouth as clean as possible. The antibacterial rinse we provide is to be used twice a day for 7 days after surgery. Additionally, warm salt-water rinses (1/2 tsp in warm water) can be used several times a day. During the first week, the non-treated areas should be brushed normally.
Oral Hygiene: After surgery, it is important to keep your teeth and mouth as clean as possible. The antibacterial rinse we provide is to be used twice a day for 7 days after surgery. Additionally, warm salt-water rinses (1/2 tsp in warm water) can be used several times a day. During the first week, the non-treated areas should be brushed normally.
Post-operative appointments: You will be seen for two post-operative appointments. The first will be ten days after the surgery to check healing and remove the sutures. The second appointment will be 2-3 months after the surgery to verify clinically and radiographically that the implant has integrated with the bone.