Dental Implants are an alternative to ordinary dental bridges or dentures to fill in gaps caused by missing teeth and allow patients to regain fully functional and natural-looking smiles from tooth loss caused by decay, gum disease or trauma.
An implant is a durable titanium cylinder that is surgically placed into the upper or lower jawbone. After placement, the implant will fuse with the jawbone until it is fully integrated and becomes part of your body. Dental implants work just like real teeth with real roots, allowing for normal chewing and function.
If you’re considering dental implants here are five things you may like to know:
1. They are built to last
Dental implants can last for many years and up to a lifetime with the proper care and maintenance. They may require small adjustments from your dentist over time, however, compared to other forms of tooth replacement, dental implants are the next best thing to your original teeth.
2. They look and feel natural
Dental implant restorations are customised to look and feel like your natural teeth. Dental implants allow you to speak and feel the same way you did with your natural teeth!
3. They allow you to eat what you like
Implants are surgically added to your jaw bone, replacing the roots of your original, natural tooth. This stability allows you to bite into foods normally and naturally.
4. They help make your jaws stronger
When a tooth is lost, the roots associated with that tooth are also lost. A dental implant serves as a replacement not only for the visible portion of the tooth but also the unseen portion which are the roots that attach to the jaw. The implant is surgically anchored into the jawbone which allows your jaw to grow natural tissue around the implant and create a bond between the bone and the implant.
5. They aren’t for everyone
Unfortunately, not everyone is eligible for dental implants. The best candidates are the ones with healthy and adequate bone density. Most healthy patients are candidates for dental implants, but your suitability for this treatment solution will be discussed further after a screening, radiographic and medical history assessment process.
Treatment duration
Generally, osseointegration time from dental implant placement to final restoration can take anywhere from 4-6 months, depending on the complexity of your case. If a bone graft is required (for those who do not have enough jawbone to hold the implant in place), treatment duration will take longer as the jaw will first need to heal prior to an implant being placed.
Are dental implants right for me?
Dental implants are reliable, durable and designed to support dental crowns, bridges or dentures. Typically, we perform both the surgical placement and cosmetic restoration of your implants. In some complex cases we may work with a surgical specialist, to help ensure your treatment outcome is optimal.
If you want to replace one or more missing teeth, ask us about implant dentistry. You can call us on (07) 5576 6208 or visit us at 3/109 West Burleigh Road, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220.
Alternatively, you can book an appointment online by filling in our contact form here.
Article by Dr Anthony Hua – Principal Dentist
Dr Anthony Hua is the Founder & Principal Dentist at Burleigh Dental Studio. His passion, expertise and dedication to the field of dentistry have been recognised by his achievement of Fellowship status with the Australian Society of Implant Dentistry (ASID) and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI).
