A dental implant is a surgical implant that is placed within the jawbone to provide a solid foundation for tooth replacement. The prosthesis which is supported by the dental implant can be single crowns, bridges, or even full dentures. With modern day techniques, these implant supported restorations can closely resemble natural teeth in appearance, feel, and function.
Single implant crowns are great restorations to replace single missing teeth. There is no preparation of the adjacent teeth necessary as compared to a traditional bridge to replace a missing tooth.
Full set of ceramic teeth supported by 6 implants on the upper jaw, and a lower set of teeth supported by 5 implants on the lower jaw.
The artistry of a single veneer, notice how thin the porcelain is and the surface texture of the veneer.
A full set of porcelain veneers to transform an entire smile.
Veneers are artistically fabricated thin shells of porcelain which are then bonded to the outer surface of teeth. They are a metal-free, minimally invasive procedure to improve the overall appearance of teeth that may be worn, chipped, misaligned, or discoloured. Veneers have the ability to beautifully transform a smile.
Crowns are a restoration that covers the entire surface of a tooth, restoring it to its original size and shape. Typically they are recommended for teeth with large fillings, fractured teeth, or teeth that have undergone root canal treatment.

With advancements in adhesive dentistry, crowns are not always necessary. Onlays or partial coverage restorations are now used to restore teeth with minimal amounts of preparation. These restorations are then bonded on to restore the missing structure of the tooth.
A combination of crowns and veneers are shown to create 4 teeth which blend in with the rest of the smile.
A partial coverage adhesive onlay reduces the need to prepare the entire tooth and allows for conservative restoration of teeth.
Dentures are a form of removable prosthesis that can be fabricated to replace multiple natural teeth that have been lost. Depending on how many teeth are remaining, different types of dentures can be made. If all teeth are missing, a complete denture can be made to restore them all. Alternatively, if there are some remaining teeth, a partial denture can be custom fitted around them. However, traditional dentures often do not have optimal stability and can cause discomfort. Dental implants can enhance the retention and stability of dentures, which can greatly improve the patient experience.
Complete set of upper and lower dentures which “snap-in” to implants. Although not as stable as a fully fixed in set of teeth, these implant retained dentures are much more retentive and stable when compared to traditional dentures.
Partial dentures are custom designed to fit around the remaining teeth in order to replace missing teeth.
Prosthodontists possess specialized training to manage complex dental issues that involve severe teeth wear, extensive damage to teeth, and the loss of multiple teeth. They work with a diverse team of dental professionals, including general dentists, orthodontists, endodontists, periodontists, and oral surgeons to develop and coordinate treatment. Depending on the complexity of the case, prosthodontic treatment could involve a combination of dental implants, veneers, dentures, crowns, or bridges.
A complex rehabilitation involving crowns on all the teeth.

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About

Dr. Li focuses his practice around creating healthy and functional smiles and he enjoys combining traditional concepts with modern day techniques to cater to his patient’s needs. Dr. Li is also a clinical instructor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry where he passes on his knowledge and passion of prosthodontics to future young dentists.

When not working, Dr. Li stays active by being on either the tennis court or the golf course. He also loves to explore the Toronto food scene and is always looking for something new to try!