Dental Implants  During the COVID-19 Pandemic

There are many reasons why tooth loss can occur. Sometimes it’s the result of a sudden impact or accident that causes the loss of one or more teeth. Other times, it can be due to factors such as tooth decay, gum disease, or other medical conditions that can have adverse effects on the strength and health of the mouth and jaw.


Whatever the reasons may be, the loss of teeth has a dramatic impact on many aspects of life, including eating & speaking, loss of self-confidence, and more. In addition, the long-term effects of tooth loss can lead to more serious dental health problems. While you would correctly assume that dealing with a lost tooth or several lost teeth should be done as soon as possible, there may be some apprehension about having these types of procedures done during the current state of the COVID-19 public health crisis.

This is certainly understandable given the seriousness of the coronavirus and how it’s critical that we do everything in our power to prevent its spread. That’s why the team at Georgian Dental wants to reassure you that we have taken every precaution, implemented new safety measures, and equipped our clinics with the finest in personal protective equipment and environmental controls to create a safe and secure space for all types of restorative dental implant procedures.

Here’ we’re going to inform you on what to expect with a dental implant procedure during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as explain the purpose of several key pieces of protective equipment that we have put in place to provide a safe experience for both patients and staff. First however, let’s quickly explain why it’s so critical to deal with lost teeth as quickly and efficiently as possible.



Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Get Dental Implants

Aside from the obvious impact on the appearance of your smile, lost teeth have many other negative effects on your life. Missing one or more teeth from your jaw can make it more difficult to eat and drink the foods you enjoy, possibly leading to a decline in the quality of your diet and overall nutrition. Lost teeth can also hinder your speech and pronunciation to varying degrees, especially the teeth near the front of the mouth.

Another long-term effect of lost teeth is a gradual decline in bone density in the affected area. If left unchecked, this gradual bone density loss can even result in the loss of other teeth in the adjacent areas of the jaw. Naturally, preventing these types of problems and regaining full mouth function are the overall objectives of undergoing a dental implant procedure.

Same-Day Implants

Understandably, when you lose a tooth, you would want a quick solution to replace your missing tooth. When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental implants are king. However, traditional dental implants could take months before the procedure is complete.

The traditional implant process is divided into separate stages. But same-day implants are fitted in one visit.

In other words, the process of waiting for your socket to heal, then inserting the implant and waiting for osseointegration, is bypassed. The alternative method is quite appropriate for the times we live in since you can have your tooth replaced immediately after extraction.


How Are Implants Fixed In One Day?

You must be curious as to how a six-month procedure can be done in hours. Have a look at how the implants are fixed:

  • Consultation

A consultation is essential because our dentist has to check your medical history and ascertain whether the procedure can be done and if it will be a success. X-rays have to be done to capture the image of your mouth. This will be used to create a model of your mouth.

  • Treatment Plan

After the consultation, we can create a treatment plan. If you need a sinus lift or a bone augmentation procedure, our dentist will include it in the plan. Then, off you go to surgery.

  • Surgical Procedure

You will be sedated, and the procedures that need to be done, such as extractions, implant placement, and any additional procedures will be done.

Once the procedure is complete, you can either get a temporary crown or go and rest either at home or your hotel. Then our in-house laboratory will finish customizing your crown to fit your implants. When you come in the morning, you can get your restoration.

  • Recovery

Even though the process is done in one day, it doesn’t mean that the healing process is bypassed. Osseointegration still has to take place. So you will need to eat soft foods for up to 8 weeks. You will still have to come in later for our doctor to check if your healing is on track.


Benefits of Same-Day Implants

The benefits of same-day treatment are numerous; here are some of them:

  • You will have one surgery done instead of several procedures
  • You get your permanent teeth fixed in one visit instead of leaving the office with missing teeth
  • Your gum tissue heals faster, and the chances of your gums receding reduce drastically
  • You may save a buck since they are more cost-effective than traditional implants
  • You spend less time at the dentist’s office
  • There is immediate gratification

To recap, the longer you wait to address missing teeth, the higher your risk of developing additional complications as a result. Therefore it’s very important to proceed with your dentist’s recommended course of action to replace the missing teeth as quickly as possible. Ask us how we can further assist you with your dental implant needs during your upcoming visit.


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