Dental Implants
in Maple Ridge

Are you suffering from one or more missing teeth or are at risk to lose teeth due to tooth decay or gum disease? Or, are you currently using a dental bridge or denture to restore your missing teeth but would like something that is a little more permanent? If so, you may want to consider dental implants from Dr. Raymond L. Chow. But what exactly are dental implants and what makes them such an attractive treatment for missing teeth? We encourage our patients residing in the Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and Mission areas of Vancouver, BC to read on to learn about this revolutionary treatment and what it can offer you.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a treatment for missing teeth that is made up of three different parts. These are:

• The Implant Fixture: The implant fixture is the first part of the dental implant to be placed and is the piece that will end up taking the place of your missing tooth root.
• The Abutment: The abutment is placed second, and serves to connect the restoration to the implant fixture.
• The Restoration: The restoration is the piece that will take the place of your missing tooth. This typically takes the form of a dental crown, but can also be a dental bridge or overdenture.

The Dental Implant Process

The implant process is a straightforward method for restoring missing teeth that can be summed up in four easy steps. These steps include:

1. The Consultation: The first step is the consultation, which is when Dr. Chow will examine your oral health to ensure that you have the jaw and gum structure necessary to support implants. If necessary, he may recommend a supplemental procedure before allowing you to move forward with the implant placement.
2. The Procedure: During the implant procedure, the implant fixture is placed in the empty spot left behind by your missing tooth root. Once in place, the area is stitched up so that it can heal. At this point, an abutment and temporary replacement tooth may be attached to the fixture, though it is not unusual to wait until after the recovery period before receiving either of these pieces.
3. The Recovery Period: Once the implant fixture is in place, it will need to heal for a few months so that the process of osseointegration can work its magic. Osseointegration is an organic process that results in your implant fixture being accepted by your jawbone as a natural tooth root. This process is possible because the implant fixture is made from titanium, which is a biocompatible alloy that your body doesn’t recognize as unnatural.
4. The Restoration: Once your implant fixture has properly healed, you will return to our practice to have your permanent restoration attached. Our replacement teeth are custom made for every patient based on scans we take of their remaining natural teeth. This allows us to provide restorations that look no different from the patient’s natural teeth.