Restorative Dentistry

Losing permanent teeth can be very damaging to a person's smile, both in aesthetics and function. If one or more of your teeth are missing, dental implants are a reliable method to replace them. They function as a base to support one or more artificial teeth that appear, feel, and perform just like natural teeth. Dental implants can help you regain the ability to eat and live your normal life, as well as give you back a dazzling smile once again!

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are essentially artificial and custom-crafted roots made of titanium metal, anchored to the jawbone or metal framework below the gum line, and act as a foundation for an artificial tooth (porcelain crown) or a permanent bridge. Titanium is bio-compatible with the human body and is good at resisting corrosion, which often allows it to integrate tightly with the jaw for a stable and worry-free connection.

Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?

You're an ideal candidate for a dental implant if:

• You're in good general and oral health;
• You have adequate bone in your jaw to support the implant;
• You have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease.

If your jawbone has shrunk or has not developed normally, you may need to have a bone graft to build up the bone, which is a way of adding new bone to your jawbone. At your consultation appointment, our Thornhill dentist Dr. Shima Parhizgar can tell you if you're an ideal candidate for implants.

What are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Implants?

Dental implants are popular for many reasons, including:

• They replace your missing teeth to help prevent or slow bone resorption and preserve your natural facial contours;
• They look, feel and function just like natural teeth to allow you to eat and talk as normal, improve your smile and give you a boost of confidence;
• Dental implants cannot get cavities because they are artificial and resistant to the decay that occurs in natural teeth;
• They are permanent solutions and can last a lifetime with proper care, making them a cost-saving one-time investment.

There are only a few drawbacks of implants, and many of these can be minimized by having a trusted and skilled team of professionals complete the work. Although rare, possible complications due to dental implants include bleeding, infection, numbness or injury to nearby muscles or the sinus cavity. In some cases, the implant may not be successful because it didn't bond to the bone. Our Thornhill dental team will work closely with you to develop the most optimal care plan to ensure the highest chance of success with your dental implants.

Dental Implants Procedure

For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures.

First, the dentist will place a dental implant, or titanium root, into your jawbone beneath the gum tissue. The gum tissue is then stitched back into place. As the tissue heals, the implant will bond with the bone and attach to the gum. The healing process usually takes 3-6 months.

During the second stage of surgery, our Thornhill dentist will attach an abutment to the implant once the tissue is healed. An abutment is a post that connects the replacement tooth to the implant. After two weeks, an artificial replacement tooth is made and the dentist will attach it to the abutment. It may take additional appointments to properly fit the replacement tooth onto the abutment. When replacing several teeth or all of your teeth, a fixed bridge is anchored to your dental implants. The bridge is held firmly in place by dental implants on each side of the missing tooth or teeth.

The entire implant procedure usually takes 6-8 months. Most patients do not experience any complications or disruptions from dental implants in their daily lives.

Care and Maintenance of Dental Implants

The daily care of dental implants is similar to the care of natural teeth.

You need to brush and floss daily, paying special attention to all sides of the implant to prevent infections and complications, such as gum disease.

Regular dental checkups are also important so our dentist can make sure that your bite is right and that your implants are not loose. Our Thornhill dental team has the training and tools to remove all instances of plaque and bacteria for a clean and healthy smile. We can give you recommendations to improve your home care routine when needed.

Wondering if dental implants can help save your smile? Contact our Thornhill dental office today to book a consultation appointment!

Oftentimes, dental bonding may not be enough to protect heavily filled teeth from further deterioration, which is where dental crowns come into play. Dental crowns are made of ceramic material and cover damaged teeth.

There are many other reasons our Thornhill dentist may recommend the use of a crown, including:

• Covering discoloured teeth
• Protect fractured or cracked teeth from further damage
• Supporting a tooth that has been filled or treated with a root canal
• Assisting with a dental bridge or implant procedure

Dental crowns come in customized shapes and colours based on your personal preferences and our Thornhill dentist's suggestions. There are many options for material choice that depend on the patient's unique situation and the ultimate desired outcome.

The Dental Crown Procedure

A dental crown procedure at our Promenade Village Dental consists of two steps:

• First, your tooth (and surrounding teeth if needed) will be shaped and prepared to accommodate the crown. Our Thornhill dental team will make an impression of the tooth and send it to the lab. In the meantime, a temporary crown will be placed on the tooth.
• The second step will be in a few weeks, at which point the temporary crown will be removed and the custom-fitted dental crown will be placed.

While a dental crown is used to cover a single tooth, a dental bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth. A bridge is essentially a "false tooth" that is secured by its surrounding teeth. Keep in mind that the teeth and gums on either side of the tooth being replaced need to be healthy for this procedure to be successful.

Dental bridges from our Promenade Village Dental look and feel just like natural teeth and don't move when eating or speaking, so you and others will barely notice that the bridge is there!

The Dental Bridge Procedure

Firstly, our Thornhill dentist will assess your mouth to determine if your teeth are healthy enough to support a dental bridge. If they are, our Thornhill dentist will shape the surrounding teeth so they can support the bridge and send impressions of your teeth to the lab. When you come back in a few weeks, our Thornhill dental team will install the bridge and adjust it for the most comfort. You may need to come back for a few visits to ensure the bridge works and feels how it is supposed to.

If you are missing teeth and would benefit from dental bridges or crowns, contact our dentist, Dr. Shima Parhizgar at Promenade Village Dental today!

It is common for many people to start losing teeth as they grow older. Missing teeth can put you at risk of developing periodontal disease, shifting teeth, and losing more teeth due to decay.

Dentures are artificial teeth that can fill these spaces in your mouth and keep your smile and oral health in good shape. Dentures can be made from different materials, often hardened porcelain and acrylic resin, and are made to look as natural as possible. At Promenade Village Dental, dentures can be created to fill the place of one missing tooth, several teeth, or even all of the patient's teeth depending on the nature and reason for their tooth loss.

Even if you are only missing a few of your natural teeth, you may want to think about filling out your smile with dentures. They can help you look younger while providing support to your cheeks and lips. Dentures aid in speaking, chewing and swallowing.

If you are missing one or more teeth, talk with our Thornhill dentist, Dr. Shima Parhizgar at Promenade Village Dental today to see if dentures are the right solution for you!

Types of Dentures

Dentures are typically made of acrylic resin or a combination of materials, and they can be either complete or partial, depending on the number of teeth that need to be replaced.

There are two types of dentures:

Full Dentures: These are complete dentures that are placed in the mouth after all of the remaining teeth have been extracted and the gum tissues have healed. The process of creating conventional full dentures typically takes several weeks or more.

Partial Dentures: These are used when only a few teeth are missing. Partial dentures are designed to fit around the remaining natural teeth and are held in place with clasps or other attachments.

Each type is made from an impression of the wearer's mouth. Once the mould is made and the measurements are sent off to a dental lab to be made into permanent dentures, our Thornhill dentist fits a temporary denture. Dentures are secured by attaching to or fitting over remaining natural teeth or implants.

The type of denture that is most appropriate for you will depend on several factors, including the number of missing teeth, the condition of the remaining teeth and gums, and your overall oral health. Our Thornhill dental team at Promenade Village Dental can help determine the best type of denture for each patient.

Denture Care

Taking care of your dentures is vital to your overall oral health. Proper care and maintenance are important to keep them looking and functioning at their best. Here are some tips on how to keep them in good condition:

• Place a small amount of liquid hand soap on the denture brush and brush all surfaces, including the clasps on a partial denture
• Brush dentures at least once a day with a soft-bristled brush and a non-abrasive denture cleaner. Avoid using regular toothpaste or other abrasive cleaners, which can damage dentures
• Rinse well with water after eating: Rinse dentures with water after eating to remove any food particles or debris
• Dentures can be fragile, so handle them carefully when inserting or removing them. Fill the sink with water or place a towel on the counter to cushion the dentures in case they are dropped
• Store dry in a labelled denture cup
• To re-insert dentures, wet them first with water to prevent discomfort
• Avoid using hot water which might cause damage to the denture

If you would like to determine whether or not dentures might be the right fit for you, our Thornhill dentist Dr. Shima Parhizgar would be happy to discuss options during your next visit to Promenade Village Dental!

In the dentistry world, inlays and onlays are terms used to refer to indirect restorations that are perfect for repairing teeth with mild to moderate levels of decay. They are considered indirect because the restorations are made outside of the mouth as a single solid piece, perfectly sized to fit the shape of the decayed portion of your teeth.

They are bigger than fillings but smaller than crowns. More specifically dental inlays are used to treat teeth that have decay within their indented top surfaces. They lay within the bumps (cusps) on the chewing surface of your tooth. Whereas, dental onlays replace one or more decayed cusps. Additionally, they may also be used to repair chipped or injured teeth, if the damage is not severe enough to require a dental crown.

Inlays and onlays are usually made from porcelain or composite resin. In some cases, an inlay or onlay can be made from gold. Inlays and onlays are usually made from porcelain or composite resin (although they can sometimes be made from gold), which is a great solution for those looking to replace their metal filings or for a more natural-looking appearance.