At Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair, we are to educating patients.
We know that optimal dental health depends on good habits, so we want you to have all the information you need to practice those habits.
We make sure we explain all procedures and answer our patients’ questions. We also explain how to care for your teeth post-procedure.
In addition to having healthy teeth and gums, we want our dental patients to have the beautiful smile they deserve. We work to make patients aware of the numerous cosmetic dental procedures that can improve smiles dramatically. Procedures such as teeth whitening and veneers are simple but can have amazing results.
If you are in the Kelowna area and are looking for a highly skilled dentist with superior communication skills, give us a call at 250-860-8900. We can answer any questions you have about services such as dental implants or complete smile makeovers. Our services include:
For years, the dental industry has been advocating implants as the preferable tooth restoration option in most circumstances.
But many dental insurance companies don’t cover teeth implants. The dental insurance industry seems to be stuck in 1970. For example, many insurers will cover dental bridges.
Clearly, dental insurers rarely make coverage decisions based on what is best for the patient.
However, you shouldn’t give up on tooth implants if your dental insurer doesn’t cover them. You may be able to get coverage for part of the procedure. Or your medical insurance may cover part of the treatment plan.
What to do if your dental insurance provider doesn’t cover dental implant procedures
Have your implant dentist provide a detailed implant treatment plan in writing
Armed with your treatment plan, talk to both your dental insurer and your medical insurance provider
Ask your dental insurance provider if they will give you an allowance equal to the cost of a bridge or standard dentures
Ask your dental insurance provider if they will cover the cost of the crown(s)
If your tooth loss has medical complications, your health insurance provider might cover some components of the implant treatment
Consider switching dental insurance companies–if your employer offers more than one dental option, contact the other provider(s) to find out if they cover implants
Pay for dental implants instead of premiums: consider not renewing your dental insurance and use the money saved toward the cost of implants
Look into dental implant-specific insurance–some companies are filling a need in the industry by offering dental insurance created specifically for tooth implants and related treatments
Ask Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair about financing and payment options
A dental implant is a tooth replacement that is screwed directly into the jaw bone. It is not attached to the adjacent teeth like a dental bridge. The post replaces the tooth root and is inserted where the tooth root used to be. When the post fuses with the bone, the dentist attaches an abutment and then a crown for the visible portion of the tooth.
It’s important to understand that a dental implant involves several elements:
The post (screw)
The abutment
The crown
So, how much does a dental implant cost?
Give me a rough estimate….
In British Columbia, you can expect to pay from $1,000 to $3,000 for one implant (the post that is screwed in).
Then there is the abutment (connector piece) and crown. These elements could cost from $900 to $3,000.
This would bring the total price tag from $1900 to north of $5,000.
Remember, this is for ONE post, abutment, and crown.
What if I need a whole bunch of implants?
Some men and women spend between $20,000 and $50,000 for a total mouth reconstruction.
Wow!
Implants seem really expensive…
An implant procedure is an oral surgery. It requires consultation and additional visits. It requires X-rays and impressions. You might need bone grafting to augment the bone where the implant will be placed.
There are indirect outlays as well…
Your dentist will purchase the components from a dental supplier. The dental crown is custom-made in a lab. Dental laboratories have pricey equipment. They employ professionals who are specially trained.
Consider your dentist’s schooling. Just one year of dental school costs between $30,000 and $70,000… (Don’t forget, your dentist earned an undergraduate degree before attending dental school.)
Your dentist employs a team of professionals. A dental office must buy and maintain expensive equipment and supplies.
According to the American Dental Association, it costs at least $500,000 to open a dental practice. The yearly overhead can run over $200,000.
Does my dental insurance cover dental implant procedures?
Some British Columbia dental insurance carriers cover dental implants. Some only cover the crown portion. Others don’t cover any portion of the procedure. It’s unfortunate that more dental insurers don’t cover implants. They are significantly less expensive over the long run. They preserve bone. They don’t require removing tooth structure like dental bridges. They don’t have as many complications as dental bridges.
Talk to your provider. If your insurance company doesn’t cover them, or if you don’t have dental insurance, communicate with us about financing.
Tooth implants are costly. No doubt about it.
But if you talk to our patients, each one will tell you that they are worth every penny.
At Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair, we treat dental emergencies such as a knocked-out tooth. Patients who have suffered an injury that either knocks out a tooth or severely damages the tooth have a couple of options for tooth replacement.
In today’s message, we will discuss a tooth replacement option common in Kelowna: dental bridges.
Dental bridges aren’t ideal
Dental bridges have provided a passable tooth replacement for many people, but they are not problem-free.
Dental bridges are difficult to clean
Many British Columbia people with dental bridges find it problematic to keep the small areas around the bridge clean. It’s hard to get toothbrush bristles or dental floss under the bridge. If you have limited mobility, it’s hardly possible.
Without proper cleaning, detrimental bacteria have no trouble moving in and taking over. When the decay reaches the roots of the surrounding teeth, ouch! It’s not only painful, the person is at risk of losing those teeth.
A dental implant is superior to a dental bridge
That is one reason why a dental implant is superior to a dental bridge. Most Kelowna people with missing teeth are great candidates for dental implants.
A dental implant looks just like the beautiful tooth restoration on a high-quality dental bridge, but the vital part is what you don’t see.
A tooth implant is screwed directly into the jaw bone. It is not attached to teeth like the dental bridges traditionally used in Kelowna.
A tooth implant is a more conservative replacement
In a way, an implant is a more conservative tooth replacement because it leaves the adjacent teeth intact. The bone and gum tissue mesh permanently with the titanium post that serves as the replacement tooth root.
Dental implants do not have the same risk of tooth decay as the teeth that anchor dental bridges. Of course, individuals with dental implants need to brush and floss, but cleaning a dental implant is usually no more difficult than cleaning a normal tooth.
Permanent dental implants have a better track record in British Columbia than dental bridges. With proper care, a dental implant can last a lifetime for smile-smart dental patients.
At Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair, dental implants can replace one or more teeth providing durability, beauty, and natural function.
Are you trading your traditional dentures for implant-stabilized dentures?
Implant-retained or implant-stabilized dentures both provide numerous merits over traditional dentures.
Secure in the mouth—no slipping
Provides up to 100% natural chewing function
Upper denture doesn’t cover as much of the palate
This helps users taste food more easily. (Hooray!)
More comfortable
When dentures are fixed in place, they don’t slip around, allowing the wearer to feel more confident in social or professional situations.
Little or no gum irritation
Mouth sores lower the quality of life and can make eating painful.
Doesn’t impair speaking power
Denture wearers recognize how frustrating it is to not be able to speak properly. With implant-stabilized dentures, you can regain the ease of talking and laughing.
Stronger
Implant-retained dentures are sturdy and long-lasting.
Prevents bone loss
When bone recedes, you can get that “sunken face” look. Nothing ages an individual more than hollowed-out cheeks.
Allows the wearer to eat any type of food
Has it been a while since you’ve taken a bite of a juicy steak or crisp, red apple? It’s time to enjoy your favorite foods again!
No adhesive required
You won’t miss gluing your dentures into your mouth.
What Are The Differences Between Fixed and Removable?
Fixed implant-retained dentures (sometimes called screw-in) necessitate more implants than the removable type. However, they can restore 100% chewing ability.
Removable implant dentures (sometimes called snap-in) may necessitate just 4 implants to stabilize the upper arch and just 2 for the lower denture. Removable implant-stabilized dentures can restore up to 90% of chewing ability.
Should I get removable or fixed implant-anchored dentures?
The following factors will impact your determination.
Bone Health
Implants require the patient to have a sufficient amount of healthy bone structure for placement. The condition of your jawbone influences whether it can support implants and where the posts can be inserted.
Price
Fixed implant dentures cost more but some men and women believe the benefits outweigh the extra expense.
Convenience
Fixed implant-stabilized dentures don’t have to be taken out for cleaning. Patients who have found it inconvenient to clean standard dentures would face the same issue with removable implant-retained dentures.
Preferred Foods
Fixed dentures are sturdier than removable dentures. Patients who choose foods that are harder to chew should consider this.
Sleep Conditions
People with TMJ or sleep apnea may find it harder to manage these conditions if they have to remove their dentures at night.
I’m Stephen Malfair of Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair in Kelowna. Today’s topic is mini dental implants, sometimes called “immediate implants”.
Though they are not as well known as traditional dental implants, mini implants are also being used successfully in the Kelowna area to improve smiles. Like their larger diameter counterparts, mini implants can support a restoration for one or more missing teeth or replace a bridge or fixed denture. Denture wearers benefit considerably from these slip-free dental implants that are anchored securely in the jaw bone.
In some cases, a patient is unable to receive traditional full-size dental implants due to insufficient bone thickness. There are also mini implant patients who are not able to undergo dental implant surgery due to health issues. These patients are often excellent candidates for the mini version.
The placement of toothpick-size mini dental implants can sometimes be done in one dental visit. The placement usually requires no incisions or stitches. Recovery time, if necessary, is frequently very short. Most patients are able to eat dinner that evening.
Don’t let the word “mini” fool you; your smile can receive a maximum upgrade with mini dental implants. Call Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair at 250-860-8900 to schedule a consultation.
If you have missing spaces in your smile due to cavities, injury or any other reason, there is hope. If your existing teeth are stained, decayed, or chipped, there is hope. If your teeth have always been misshapen, or crooked, there is hope. Cosmetic dentistry can fix all of those problems.
Dr. Malfair at Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair has the competence handle the toughest cosmetic dental dilemmas. Since 2004, Dr. Malfair has restored and improved smiles with advanced cosmetic dentistry.
Regardless of the problem, it is usually preferable to save your natural teeth. If this is not feasible, and you have already lost teeth, we offer many ways for you to maintain (or regain) your ability to eat, drink, speak, laugh, and smile with confidence.
Dental Veneers
If you still have your teeth, but are not comfortable with them, these might be the best solution. Stunning porcelain veneers offer a relatively affordable approach to cosmetic adjustments – uneven color, size, or shape. These are very thin shells bonded to the front of the teeth. They enhance unsightly, but structurally sound teeth.
Dental Implant
A dental implant is a tooth replacement that incorporates an artificial tooth PLUS an artificial root (usually biocompatible titanium). With local anesthesia, the artificial root is actually inserted into the jaw bone where it integrates with the bone tissue. There are three parts to a dental implant: the artificial root, the connecting abutment, and the final crown or denture.
A dental implant is often the most appropriate restoration as it offers beauty, strength, natural function, and protection from bone recession that often occurs at the site of a missing tooth.
Dentures
Most Kelowna residents have heard of dentures: a plate holding artificial teeth that can be removed for cleaning. These are tailor-made and can contain varying numbers of teeth. Sometimes the entire set of upper and lower teeth have to be pulled and a denture created. Modern dentistry offers a myriad of custom dental implant-denture combinations to restore missing teeth.
If you or someone you care about lost a tooth this year, but haven’t yet dealt with the issue, Love Your Smile in Kelowna suggests a consultation with our dental implant team immediately.
Why the rush? Though your missing tooth might not be an aesthetic issue now – maybe it’s far enough back that the gap is not visible, or perhaps you don’t mind a sort of rugged look – it could very well become one in the future.
When we lose a tooth, the root and jaw bone eventually atrophy. This causes neighboring teeth to begin to shift into the empty spaces, causing misalignment and pain. Worse, it causes your facial features to take on a “sunken” look; especially round the cheeks.
Dental implants are the best way to avoid this, as they protect and stimulate the remaining teeth, keeping them in place and bolstering their strength. The good news is that dental implants and their associated restorations mimic natural enamel perfectly, so nobody will be able to tell that you’ve achieved your New Year’s resolution early this coming year!
If you’ve been dreaming of a more complete smile for years, 2023 is the time to do it and Love Your Smile in Kelowna can help! We offer implants and complete restorative dentistry. We serve satisfied patients from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6. Contact us today!
We begin this post from Love Your Smile in Kelowna with a quote from classic literature: “Every tooth in a man’s head is more valuable than a diamond.”
When Miguel de Cervantes wrote that four hundred years ago, there was no widely accepted way to replace lost teeth. We are fortunate to live at a time where there is: dental implants.
A dental implant is a titanium post anchored to the jaw bone. One implant can support one artificial tooth, while several can support a bridge or a full dental arch.
Because the titanium post actually fuses with the bone, it becomes a rock-solid base for the replacement teeth it supports.
With a dental implant, you can talk, chew, and brush like normal. Eat that steak! Laugh out loud! Sing at the top of your lungs!
Dental implants from Love Your Smile in Kelowna improve your smile, and can even improve your life! Patients from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 come to us for this and other restorative dentistry procedures. Contact us today!
Dental implants are rapidly becoming the tooth replacement option of choice. Millions of Americans have chosen implants, like those available at Love Your Smile in Kelowna. Once the decision is made, patients usually want to know what’s involved every step of the way.
Before the Procedure
It begins with a consultation and preliminary exam. We’ll take X-rays of your teeth and jaw to make sure you have enough healthy bone structure. If you don’t, we may recommend bone grafting.
We’ll also inspect your gums for any signs of gum disease. Healthy gums are essential for a successful implant.
During Implant Surgery
After administering anesthesia, a guide hole is drilled into your jaw and a titanium post – which is the actual implant – is screwed in. The process takes about an hour.
Aftercare
Some patients experience minor pain and swelling. Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually enough to control it. An icepack can help, too. Most people can resume their usual activities the same day.
At Love Your Smile in Kelowna we have placed dental implants in people from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6, who also come to us for our complete general and cosmetic dentistry. Contact us today!
Love Your Smile is a full-service dental practice led by Dr. Stephen Malfair, a skilled and compassionate dentist. Anyone can visit our convenient office in beautiful Kelowna, British Columbia for top-quality dentistry services and personalized patient care.https://drmalfair.ca/
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If you or someone you care about lost a tooth this year, but haven’t yet dealt with the issue, Love Your Smile in Kelowna suggests a consultation with our dental implant team immediately.
