Implanted prosthetic teeth are an ideal way to replace one or more missing teeth. They look and function just as natural teeth do.
Implants are designed to replace both the crown and the root of a missing tooth. An initial consultation will be conducted by our own specialist implantologist to determine if you are a suitable candidate for dental implants, and will take x-rays to assess whether implants are possible for you, mainly based on the amount of bone density in your jaw, and your medical history.
The design of a dental implant is based on the design of a natural tooth which is commonly described as having two main parts:
- The crown that sits above the gums.
- The titanium screw that sits securely below the gum.
The Implant Crown
The implant crown is carefully crafted to look and feel like a healthy, natural tooth that feels like part of you.
The Implant Screw
During the procedure, you will receive a titanium “screw” implanted in your jaw. Implants fuse with the bone surrounding them as they heal, stabilising them in place. This process, known as “osseointegration”, usually takes between three and six months to complete.
A tooth-coloured crown will be attached to the implant screw once it is stable. Our implantologist will make your crown so that it closely matches the colour and shape of your remaining natural teeth.
Bone Grafting
The foundation of a dental implant is bone. An implant must be able to be placed in the jaw with sufficient bone density for it to be successful and long-lasting. When there is insufficient bone to place an implant, our implantologist can perform bone grafting surgery. Bone grafts are used to broaden and heighten the bone at the implant site (where the implant needs to be placed).
Caring for your Dental Implant
Maintaining the cleanliness of implants is no less important than maintaining the cleanliness of your natural teeth. Support is provided by healthy surrounding tissues in both structures. Plaque collects on the implant just like it does on natural teeth, so a robust oral hygiene routine is crucial.
Neglecting daily cleaning may result in an inflammation and eventual infection known as peri-implantitis, which can lead to bone loss in the infected implant region. Our dental hygienists play a crucial role in helping you maintain your implants.
Alternative Options to having a Dental Implant
Partial Denture
These are an economical and rapid solution but most people tend not to like dentures as they can feel bulky and uncomfortable. They can become loose, causing difficulty and embarrassment when eating, and they have to be removed at night.
Stick-on Bridge (adhesive bridge)
These are a good solution in some cases but tend to be at risk of falling out if excess biting force is placed on the bridge. With the absence of the natural tooth root, the bone below the “dummy” tooth can shrink.
Fixed Conventional Bridge
A high-speed drill is used to cut away a significant amount of the neighbouring teeth to prepare them to hold a bridge. This is not a conservative option, and runs a 20-30% risk of a root canal treatment being needed on the teeth that will hold the bridge. There is also extra loading on the teeth that will hold the bridge. This may lead to a decreased lifespan of these teeth.
The Consequences of Leaving a Gap
- Cosmetic issues (if within the smileline)
- Overloading of teeth on either side of the gap
- Tilting of teeth on either side of the gap
- Possible overeruption of opposing teeth
- Decreased chewing efficacy of the affected side of the mouth
Dental Implants
All on 4
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