Dental Implant and Full Arch Implants Clinic
The Foundation of Your Future Smile
If you have missing or damaged teeth, it can have a significant impact on both your oral health and general well-being. Left untreated, you can end up with gum disease, your surrounding teeth can become crooked or crowded and you can struggle to bite or chew food. What’s more, it can have a huge impact on your self-esteem, impacting your confidence to smile as you did before.
Whether you are replacing a single tooth, multiple teeth, or a full arch of teeth, dental implants are the perfect solution. By permanently replacing the root of your missing tooth, they create a strong foundation for your replacement teeth. With dental implants, your teeth don’t just look like new, they function perfectly, giving your smile the support it needs for many years to come.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a permanent replacement for missing teeth. The design of a dental implant is similar to a natural tooth and has two key parts:
- The root – a titanium screw is placed directly into your jawbone to replace the missing root, sitting securely below the gum line. Once in place, the bone surrounding the implant gradually fuses to it, a process known as osseointegration, holding the implant firmly in place and providing an incredibly stable foundation.
- The crown – a crown is created to match the colour and shape of your existing teeth and is then fitted to the top of the titanium screw via an internal screw, known as an abutment. The crown is the visible part of the implant and will look, feel and function just like your natural teeth.
Dental implants are designed to be a permanent solution for missing or damaged teeth and if well looked after, they can last a lifetime.
Who Can Have Dental Implants?
Dental implants are typically suitable for any adult with good general health. They can only be used when the jawbone has stopped growing, which is why they aren’t generally used on younger patients.
However, for an adult to have implants, they need to have enough bone in the jawbone to support and fuse to the implant. In the event that you don’t have enough bone density, additional procedures may be required before the treatment can go ahead. For example, bone grafting can be used to increase the amount of bone in your jaw and is a common preliminary procedure.
Other than bone density, certain medical conditions and lifestyle choices can impact your suitability for dental implant treatment. If you have diabetes or gum disease or you drink or smoke heavily, you may well be at higher risk of implant failure. The risk can often be mitigated by reviewing medication and cutting down or stopping habits, at least temporarily, to give the implanted site a chance to heal. However, each case is different, so the best way to find out if dental implants are suitable for you is to have a full assessment with an experienced implant dentist.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are a tried and trusted treatment for the replacement of missing or damaged teeth. In fact, they offer several advantages over the alternatives, such as dentures and fixed bridges:
- Preserve Jawbone – teeth stimulate the jawbone and encourage it to grow when they’re missing, the bone gradually deteriorates. So, as dental implants replace the root, they encourage growth and strengthen your jawline.
- Restore Smile – your jawbone doesn’t just support your teeth, it impacts your facial aesthetics too. By promoting the production of healthy bones, dental implants can prevent your face from appearing sunken, make you look younger and restore your smile.
- Support Teeth – if there is a gap in your mouth, your other teeth will gradually move to fill it causing them to become crooked, harder to clean and more prone to disease. Dental implants fill the gap and support your remaining teeth.
- Feel Comfortable – whereas dentures can shift, slip and become uncomfortable, dental implants are a fixed solution. Implants feel as natural as your normal teeth and can help restore your confidence to eat, talk and smile like you used to.
Dental Implants Tasmania
The Four Stages of Dental Implant Treatment
The key to successful dental implant treatment is a well-designed treatment plan based on a comprehensive assessment by a skilled implant dentist. While each treatment plan will be unique and some may include additional stages to include preliminary treatments, the four main stages of your treatment will be as follows:
Comprehensive Assessment
The first stage of any advanced treatment should be a thorough examination and assessment of both your oral and general health. We will review your oral and medical history, determine your suitability for treatment and put a detailed treatment plan together. This is also an opportunity for you to discuss any worries you may have and to make sure you’re completely happy with the proposed plan.
Root Placement
The next stage of your treatment is to have the titanium screw surgically placed into your jawbone. You will have the choice of whether to have the procedure under local anaesthetic or sleep dentistry, both of which we can do in the comfort of our practice. Once anaesthetised, the titanium screw will be expertly placed to create the best possible foundation. It will then remain under the surface for up to six months while we wait for your jawbone to fuse firmly with it.
Crown Attachment
Once comfortable and anaesthetised, the titanium root will be uncovered and a screw added to attach your permanent crown. The site will need a chance to heal, usually a couple of weeks. Then, your crown can be attached. We have 3D printing technology, so we can create your prosthetic teeth in-house, speeding up treatment and ensuring the best possible result.
Ongoing Care
Once your crown has been fitted, your replacement tooth should look as good as new. Then it’s down to you to look after it. That means maintaining excellent oral hygiene and ensuring you visit us regularly for checkups. We’re committed to your long-term care and will do everything we can to help make sure your replacement tooth lasts as long as your natural ones.
Why Choose Dental Implants Tasmania?
