Dental Implants in Joondanna

Dental implants are an excellent replacement option if you are missing a single tooth or multiple teeth. They come with the following benefits:

• A complete smile and an improved appearance
• Implants are easier to maintain than bridges and dentures. Taking care of them is much like taking care of your natural teeth.
• They can withstand greater chewing forces.
• Dental implants can help in improving your speech. Minimal soft tissue coverage means better phonetics and pronunciation.
• You will be able to chew properly. Your new implant-restored teeth will mimic your natural teeth’s function, so you will no longer have to compromise on food.
• Since they are custom-fitted for you, they feel like a natural addition to your mouth.

Dental implant treatment is an outpatient procedure that requires multiple phases. The procedure can take anywhere between three to twelve months.

During the first phase of the process, you will learn everything you need to know about dental implants. We will perform a comprehensive assessment of your gums, teeth, and jawbone. To ensure that you have healthy teeth and gums and that you have enough jawbone to support the implant, it is crucial that your dentist thoroughly examines your gums and teeth. Implant surgery requires good dental health.

We will begin your implant treatment when we have determined that you are a suitable candidate for dental implants. Your dentist will administer local anaesthesia and expose the bone by making an incision in your gums. They will then drill holes in the bone to insert and secure the titanium implant, which will serve as an artificial tooth root. The titanium implant will take three to six months to integrate with your bone. This is the osseointegration process.

The abutment screw will be attached once osseointegration is completed and the implant has stabilised. An abutment extends above the soft tissue and connects the artificial tooth to the implant. A protective layer of gum tissue will form around the abutment. There is a recuperation period of several weeks following the abutment installation.

The fabrication of the dental implant crown begins once the implant has grown into the bone and is firm enough to support chewing. Your dentist will take impressions of your remaining natural teeth and the abutment and send them to the dental laboratory for the fabrication of your artificial tooth. Depending on the number of teeth that need to be replaced, it could be a dental crown, bridge, or denture. The tooth replacement will be the only visible part of the implant.

We must evaluate each patient individually, as each case is unique. If you are missing teeth or need to have a tooth extracted, it is best to schedule an appointment with Joondanna Family Dental to find out if you are a good candidate for dental implants.

Here is a list of things you should check to see if you are a good candidate:

• You have one or more missing teeth.
• You have healthy gums and no gum disease.
• There is enough bone to support the implant, either with or without a graft.
• You have no medical conditions that preclude you from receiving implant surgery.

Dental implants are highly reliable. They have been reported to have a success rate of 90% to 95%. However, they are not without risks. These risks are uncommon and can be managed. Examples include:

• Infection:
  Infections can occur during or after implant placement. The risk of infection increases with smoking, presence of autoimmune dissease and poor oral hygiene.

• Implant Failure:
  Without sufficient bone support, the implant won’t fuse with the bone leading to implant failure.

• Implant Rejection: 
  The body may reject an implant in rare cases. Rejection can cause swelling, pain, fever, and chills.

• Sinus Perforation:
  In some cases, an implant placed in the upper jaw can protrude into the sinus cavity.

• Allergic Reaction:
  Patients allergic to titanium may experience tingling, swelling and loss of taste due to the titanium alloy in dental implants.

• Nerve Damage:
  This can occur if an implant is placed too close to a nerve. Signs of nerve damage include numbness or tingling in the gums, lips, tongue, and face.

Implants usually last between 20 and 30 years, and they don’t require any special maintenance. However, certain conditions like aging and tooth decay will affect their longevity. With proper care, the artificial tooth replacement attached to the implant abutment, whether it is a crown, denture, or bridge, can last between 5 and 15 years.

A healthy mouth is a prerequisite for dental implants. Teeth and bones deteriorate due to gum disease. Your jawbone must be strong and wide enough for your implant to be placed safely. Gum tissue and bone must completely surround the implant. If you have active gum disease, you are not a suitable candidate for dental implants. In order to qualify for dental implants, you would have to undergo gum disease treatment and possibly a bone graft.

Implant failure can have several causes, but the symptoms remain the same. If you begin to notice the following signs, it could mean that your dental implants are failing:

• Severe discomfort or pain
• Chewing difficulties
• Swollen or inflamed gums
• Loose implant or replacement tooth
• Receding gums