A missing tooth is more than just an aesthetic concern. All too often an individual missing a tooth in the back of their mouth will have an out of site out of mind mentality. This can be a huge oversight!

It is more appropriate to think of a missing tooth as a space where a tooth used to be. Above and beyond aesthetics that tooth's purpose included acting as a chewing surface, holding its place with regards to adjacent teeth, maintain the bone structure where it was rooted along with many other structural and preventative roles. Without that tooth in place surrounding teeth can shift causing gaps and making decay more likely, bone loss and damage can occur, the area can become more apt to periodontal disease and the list goes on.

To avoid bone loss, maintain the proper spacing of your teeth and avoid the maladies associated with a missing tooth an implant may be required. An implant will take the place or more appropriately fill the space that your missing tooth once held.

A dental implant is a small prosthetic post that is placed into the bone of the upper or lower jaw. The post functions as the root portion of the lost natural tooth and serves as an anchor for replacement tooth. Once the post has settled an artificial tooth is attached to fill the space that was once your missing tooth.

A dental implant often gives back a patient's confidence in their smile, the ability to eat comfortably and a clean, healthy oral environment. Dental implants look and feel exactly like natural teeth, no one other than you and your dentist will be able to tell the difference.

There are many different types of dental implants available. Dr. Olvera at Keele and Finch Dental in Downsview will be pleased to discuss the benefits of implant prosthetics with you and see if it's right for you.