Hey, it’s me, Dr. Michael Webster, Dental Implant Dentist and Owner at Kelowna Dental Centre.
If you’re new here, let me bring you up to speed: I’m EXTREMELY passionate about dental implants, especially their physiological and psychological impact on our patients’ lives. And who doesn’t want a dentist who gets excited about helping their patients achieve their health goals?
I can hear the uninitiated asking, “What exactly are dental implants?”
In a nutshell, dental implants are prostheses that seamlessly integrate with the jaw or skull bone, providing stable support for various dental restorations. They’re vital to restoring smiles and serve as reliable orthodontic anchors, whether for a crown, bridge, denture, or even a facial prosthesis.
The dental implant procedure involves surgically placing titanium posts into the jawbone, creating the foundation to attach the aesthetic restorations mentioned above securely.
As a globally experienced and educated implant dentist, I consistently replace missing teeth with durable, implant-supported restorations that function and feel like the real thing.
All in all, dental implants work to reduce pain, improve speech, restore smiles, help preserve jawbone health, and prevent further tooth loss in more extreme cases.
On the surface, dental implants can seem expensive. However, considering the big picture, they’re a permanent solution for good oral health and a beautiful smile. And that’s precisely why protecting your implants is so important!
Why Dental Implants Need Protection
While dental implants are designed to be durable and withstand the normal wear and tear of chewing and biting, they are not invincible.
One of the biggest threats to the life of your implants is grinding and clenching your teeth. This often happens without you realizing it while you sleep.
Over time, the excessive force of grinding can damage both the implant and the bone supporting it, leading to complications such as implant failure. That’s not good!
Night Guards and Your Implants
A night guard is a custom-fitted appliance that acts as a barrier between your teeth, absorbing the pressure and preventing damage from grinding and clenching.
Wearing a night guard is essential for patients with dental implants if you want your implants to last as long as possible–ideally forever.
A night guard helps distribute the force of your bite evenly across all your teeth, reducing the risk of placing undue stress on the implants. That’s how it can protect your implants from the damaging effects of grinding, helping you avoid costly repairs and maintain the health of your smile.
Choosing the Right Night Guard for Your Implants
Not all night guards are created equal. When you have dental implants, it’s important to choose one that will meet your unique needs.
The low cost of over-the-counter night guards may be tempting, but don’t be fooled! They often lack the precise fit needed to properly protect your implants.
A custom night guard, made from an intraoral scan of your teeth, provides a perfect fit that stays in place and offers maximum protection.
At KDC, we can design a night guard that perfectly fits your implants. We’ll make sure that it’s both comfortable and effective.
Caring for Your Night Guard
Now that you’ve got your custom night guard, it’s time to take care of it to ensure it stays effective and lasts a long time! (You’re picking up on a theme now, right?)
Clean your night guard daily with a soft toothbrush and a gentle denture cleanser, and store it in a ventilated case to prevent bacterial buildup.
Avoid hot water, which can warp the night guard and compromise fit. Regular dental check-ups are also important, as your dentist can assess the condition of both your night guard and your implants and make adjustments as needed.
In addition to caring for your night guard, it’s important to follow your dentist’s recommendations for maintaining your implants. This includes regular brushing and flossing, avoiding hard foods that can damage the implants, and visiting your dentist every six months for recall exams and cleaning.
When you’re diligent with your oral care and use a custom night guard, you can protect your investment in dental implants and enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile for life.
Dental Implants at KDC
I’m proud to say that Kelowna Dental Centre uses some of the most advanced implant technology, especially for complex procedures like full-arch treatments.
Because we want to ensure you get the best results possible, we invest in the highest-quality treatments and provide our team with top-notch training. We’re also one of the only dental clinics in Canada qualified to perform Teeth In A Day: a unique implant treatment plan that gets in and out of our clinic comfortably and confidently with new teeth in one day!
So, why wait? Book your consultation today, and let’s start your journey to a brighter, more confident smile!
Dr. Michael Webster
Kelowna Dental Centre Owner
Kelowna Implant Dentist
Kelowna Teeth in a Day Dentist
