Dental Implants

Smile, laugh, speak and eat with more comfort and confidence with dental implants by our Calgary dentist.

Reclaim Your Healthy, Happy Smile.

Discover the beauty and functionality of dental implants by our Calgary dentist.

Are your missing teeth preventing you from enjoying the foods you like? Speaking with confidence? Smiling? If so, dental implants may be the solution you’ve been looking for. 

Dental implants replace the root of your natural tooth that has been lost due to decay, disease or an accident. The tooth root is replaced with a post usually made of Titanium and its alloys that is implanted into your upper and/or lower jaw bone, followed by the placement of a superstructure such as a crown, bridge or denture. 

Find out how comfortable and convenient the process of placing dental implants can be. Call our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson, for your dental implant consultation appointment today! 

dental implant

Why Consider Dental Implants by Our Calgary Dentist?

Whether you are replacing one missing tooth, multiple missing teeth or stabilizing your denture, there are many benefits to placing dental implants. 

The benefits of dental implants are both aesthetic and functional and include the following:

Dental Implant Benefits:

Dental implants are a long-term solution to missing teeth and denture stabilization with proper care and maintenance.

With the proper candidate, dental implants have a very high success rate.

Dental implants allow you to eat, speak, laugh and smile with comfort and confidence.

Dental implants help to prevent bone loss in the area of the affected tooth or teeth.

Dental implants can replace one or more teeth without affecting your bordering teeth.

Dental implants can support a bridge and eliminate the need for a removable partial denture.

Implant supported dentures are often more comfortable than conventional dentures.

Dental implants allow for the placement by our Calgary dentist of implant supported crown, bridge or denture which not only feel natural but look beautiful!

dental implant

Interested in more information about dental implants?
Our Calgary implant dentist is happy to answer your questions.

Are Dental Implants
Right For You

Are Dental Implants
Right For You?

Most adult patients are suitable candidates for dental implants. A variety of factors determine whether you are an appropriate candidate for the placement of one or more dental implants by our general Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson. Ensuring that you are a good candidate for dental implants is important both to the success of the dental implant and its overall longevity. 

The ideal candidate for the placement of one or more dental implants is listed below.

The Ideal Dental Implant Candidate.

Is in good general and oral health. Your overall health is more important than your age.

Is old enough such that the jaw bone is finished growing.

Has healthy gum tissue that is free of periodontal disease.

Is a non-smoker. Although people who smoke can have successful dental implant surgery, smoking is a risk factor that can adversely affect results.

Has adequate bone in the jaw to support a dental implant. The quantity and quality of the bone where the implant is to be placed is an important key to dental implant success. For some patients with inadequate bone support, a bone graft or a sinus lift may be an option. Bone grafting can improve the chances for a successful implant.

dental implant

Dental Implant Options by our Calgary Dentist

single or multiple
dental implants

does not affect adjacent teeth

fixed permanently

can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance

prevents/slows bone loss

completed with an implant retained crown which feels and functions just like your natural teeth

allows you to speak, eat and smile comfortably and naturally

dental implant
retained denture

used to secure an upper and/or lower denture with 2 to 6 dental implants

more comfortable and stable than a regular denture

prevents/slows bone loss

can last a lifetime with proper maintenance

does not require denture adhesive

no unsightly and uncomfortable hooks or clasps visible

dental implant
retained prosthetic

used where 3+ teeth are missing

fixed permanently

can last a lifetime with proper maintenance

prevents/slows bone loss

feels and functions just like your natural teeth

completed with a dental implant supported bridge

What Are the Steps For
Placing a Dental Implant?

Your consultation appointment.

The first step towards restoring your smile with one or more dental implants is making an appointment for your personalized consultation and treatment planning with our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson. Our goal is to ensure that, by the end of your appointment, you have a clear understanding of the dental implant process, including whether you are an appropriate candidate, how many dental implants are recommended, the steps and time involved, the potential risks, the benefits you can expect and the costs.

 

At your consultation appointment, our Calgary dentist will:

discuss your goals for your new smile

conduct a complete oral examination

provide clinical recommendations as to whether you are a suitable candidate for one or more dental implants

refer you for specialized diagnostic imaging, if necessary, such as a tomograph

assess whether you have adequate jaw bone for the placement of one or more dental implants

perform diagnostic imaging (dental x-rays)

if you have inadequate jaw bone, provide clinical recommendations regarding whether you are a suitable candidate for a bone graft or a sinus lift

Placing a bone graft
(if necessary).

It is not uncommon for patients to require a bone graft prior to the placement of their dental implant due to inadequate jaw bone mass. Bone grafting is the process of building the portion of the jaw bone where the implant(s) will be placed. After your bone graft is completed by our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson, there is typically a healing period of approximately one to three months prior to the dental implant being placed.

bone graft

Typically the procedure is performed with a local anesthetic, with most patients tolerating it very well.

Our Calgary dentist uses bone product from both bovine and human sources.

After the procedure, most patients return to their normal activities within one day.

Most patients manage any pain or discomfort with over-the-counter pain medication.

Causes of jaw bone loss include loss of a tooth, ageing, periodontal disease and other disorders and diseases.

Your dental implant placement.

The next step in your journey to restoring your smile is the surgical placement by our Calgary dentist of one or more dental implants into your jaw bone. This surgery takes approximately 1 to 2 hours per implant.  Typically the procedure is completed with a local anesthetic although some patients choose to have our Calgary dentist administer oral sedation during their dental implant surgery to help ease any dental procedure related anxiety.

After dental implant surgery, osteointegration (the process of the dental implant fusing to the bone) generally takes from 3 to 6 months.

After dental implant surgery, most patients return to their normal activities by the next day.

Most patients manage any pain or discomfort with over-the-counter pain medication. If necessary, our Calgary dentist will provide you with a prescription for pain management.

It is essential that any at home and follow-up care instructions given by our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson, are followed.

dental implants
four_toothv4

The final restoration.

After osteointegration is completed, an abutment is placed on the dental implant and the dental implant is ready for its final restoration placement by our Calgary dentist. The final restoration may be an implant supported crown, an implant supported bridge or an implant retained denture, depending upon your circumstances. 

The final restoration is placed by our dentist in Calgary in one visit, with patients generally being able to resume their normal activities after their dental implant placement appointment. 

The last step is easy. Go ahead, show off your new gorgeous and healthy smile!

- Dreaming About A New Smile?

Giving people the smile of their dreams is what we’re all about. Find out more about our Calgary dentist’s comprehensive cosmetic dentistry services to give you the stunning and healthy smile you’ve always dreamed of. 

Things To Think About

Ideal Candidates

your smile is unique

And so are you! Because everyone’s oral and overall health are unique, it’s important to understand the risks and benefits of dental implant placement given your individual health circumstances. Candidacy for dental implants will be thoroughly assessed by our Calgary dentist at your consultation appointment.

Before Placement

your lifestyle matters

Lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol use affect the body’s ability to heal and therefore can adversely affect both the success of the dental implant placement and its longevity. Make an appointment with our Calgary dentist to discuss the risks and benefits of proceeding with dental implant surgery if you have any of these risk factors.

After Placement

maintenance is essential

After the placement of one or more dental implant, it’s crucial that you follow our Calgary dentist’s oral care instructions. Establishing a consistent home oral care routine by brushing twice per day and flossing as well as attending for regular check-ups and dental cleanings at our Calgary dental office is essential to the longevity of your dental implants.

Are You Ready To
Reclaim Your Smile?

toothbrush

CALGARY DENTIST WEBSITE DISCLAIMER

All information contained in this Calgary dentist website is for informational purposes only. It is not to be taken or used as a substitute for dental, medical or other professional advice, treatment or diagnosis. Always ask your dentist, physician or other healthcare professional for advice before making any decisions regarding or altering your oral or regular health care routine.

Reliance on any information provided in this Calgary dental website is solely at the user’s own risk. Dr. Dirk A. Thompson, D.D.S., Dirk A. Thompson Professional Corporation, Advance Your Health Dental and its employees (“DTPC”) make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the information contained on the website or the related graphics, products, services, or other materials for any purpose. 

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