What is dental implants?
Dental implants are artificial teeth that are implanted into your jaw to give the look and functionality of natural teeth. A medical grade titanium post is embedded in your jaw and this is topped with a dental crown that looks just like a natural tooth.
Who can benefit
from dental implants?
Missing teeth can often make chewing very difficult, depending on how many of your teeth are missing and their location in your mouth. The teeth adjacent to these missing teeth can also grow into the vacated spaces, causing you even more problems with chewing.
Dental implants allow you to chew normally once again, and because they are firmly embedded in your jaw, they don’t come lose (unlike dentures). Dental hygiene is also enhanced, because you can clean your teeth normally.
Dental implants need to be customised for each client and not everyone is suitable for this procedure. Your dentist will need to assess your suitability; you need to be free of gum disease, a non-smoker or willing to stop smoking, and the bone density in your jaw needs to be strong enough to support your new implants.
Five benefits
of dental implants
The benefits of natural looking teeth are limitless, but here’s five that should resonate with you if you’re considering this procedure. With dental implants you will:
- Feel much more confident eating, talking and smiling.
- Prefer their natural feel, unlike dentures or bridges which feel artificial.
- Clean your teeth and gums much more easily.
- Not have to worry about replacements, as they last a lifetime.
- Look fabulous once again, regardless of your age.
Three different
approaches to dental implants
The approach you chose depends on how many teeth you need replaced and your suitability for the procedure. The three approaches we offer are single implants, multiple implants, and All-on-4 implants. Let’s take a quick look at each of these procedures, so you can make an informed decision.
Single
dental implants
The titanium post is anchored into your jaw and supports your new crown that gives your teeth a very natural appearance. Single implants are a long lasting solution to tooth loss and are ideal if you have only one tooth missing.
Multiple
dental implants
If you have two or more teeth missing, we often use a bridge as well as the implants. This depends on the location of the missing teeth and the volume of bone density in your jaw, but essentially the bridge protects your healthy teeth and minimises bone loss.
All on 4
implants
These are ideal for people who need to replace all their teeth, as your dental prosthesis rests on four titanium posts (keeping them solidly in place). Your new teeth will look and feel natural, and you should be able to chew normally again.
What are the steps
involved in a dental implant?
Your procedure will be customised to suit your situation, but generally, it will be performed in two steps. First, the titanium post is embedded into your jaw and allowed to heal. This healing may take anything from two to six months. Once healed, the new crown is attached to this post at a second appointment, and your procedure is complete. You can eat and drink normally with your new tooth in place with no downtime.
What is the cost
of a dental implant?
A dental implant will cost from $3300 per tooth, but can cost more, depending on your needs. Implant supported dentures (All-on-4 implants) can cost anything from $11000 upwards. We understand that this is a big financial investment for you, but each crown needs to be uniquely crafted, which is a large part of the dental implant costs.
Dental implants FAQ
You can schedule an appointment to discuss your dental implants at your earliest convenience. The timing of the procedure, however, depends on your situation. With no gum disease and healthy bone density in your jaw the procedure can be scheduled immediately.
Generally, you will need three appointments. The first to discuss the procedure and determine whether you have any gum disease or issues with bone density in your jaw, the second to implant the titanium post, and the third to attach the crown to the post.
You can replace one or all of your teeth with dental implants.
Yes, the crowns are coloured to blend in with your healthy teeth and they look natural.
In reality, any dentist should be able to perform this procedure, but for a perfect result, it’s always best to seek the help of a dentist who specialises in dental implants.
How to find the right
dentist to perform
your dental implants
Dentists who perform implants require advanced training to acquire the skills and knowledge that allows them to perform these procedures safely. So always check that your dentist has completed this type of additional training, rather than a short course to upgrade their skills.
For example, your dentist should have the right qualifications and experience to assess the density of your jawbone and ensure that it is healthy enough to support the dental implants. They should also have the expertise to know precisely where the titanium posts should be embedded in your jaw. If any of these steps are skipped or incorrectly performed, you may suffer permanent damage to your teeth or gums.
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