As the closest thing to natural teeth, dental implants are hand-crafted for beautiful results and secured in the jaw using a titanium base for strength and durability.
A dental implant is a titanium post that is embedded into the jaw bone to replace the root portion of a missing tooth. Over time, the dental implant fuses with the jaw bone in a process called osseointegration. This helps to hold the implant securely in place. A specially handcrafted implant tooth (or dental crown) is then attached to the dental implant to fill the gap left by the missing tooth. Dental implants can also be used to hold a dental bridge in place, replacing several missing teeth in a row.
Dental implants are extremely durable and are designed to mimic the natural tooth and tooth roots. They offer the closest replacement possible to natural teeth.
The best way to determine your suitability for dental implants is to book in your free consultation with Daniel. During this consultation, Daniel will check your current oral health, take x-rays to assess your jaw bone and gums, and discuss treatment options.
A few factors that may affect your suitability for dental implants include:
For a single or a few dental implants, the surgery to insert the titanium implant takes approximately 1 to 2 hours. After treatment, a ‘healing abutment’ will be placed on top of the implant while the bone and gums heal.
At around 3 to 6 months, after your jaw bone and gums have healed, we will place your permanent implant tooth. This generally happens over two appointments over a couple of weeks. During the first appointment, we will check the implant has fused with your jaw bone and take an impression of the implant to send to a dental laboratory. A dental technician will then handcraft your implant tooth, teeth or tooth bridge. The second appointment is when we will place your final implant tooth or bridge.
Most patients choose to have their dental implants inserted under IV sedation. This is a good option if you’re feeling anxious about your treatment as it will be essentially pain-free and you won’t remember anything afterwards.
Our state-of-the-art practice offers fully equipped surgical and recovery rooms to ensure your complete comfort before, during and after treatment.
After your treatment, you’ll spend around an hour or two in recovery as the anaesthetic wears off. Then, you’ll be ready to return to the comfort of your own home. You will need to have a family member, partner or friend escort you home as you won’t be able to drive.
After your treatment, you may experience mild pain and discomfort for around 1 to 2 days — most patients are surprised at how quickly they can return to their normal daily activities.
Your recovery time will depend on your medical and dental history, the condition of your jaw bone before surgery, how many implants were inserted and whether bone or gum grafting was required.
On average, it takes approximately 3 to 6 months for your jaw and gums to fully heal. Once healed, we can place your permanent implant tooth or bridge.
Dental implants are an extremely predictable, safe and effective solution for replacing missing teeth. Like any medical treatment, there are some risks and side effects associated with dental implants but they are generally rare and easily treated.
These can include:
If you experience any of these side effects after your dental implant treatment, it is important to contact us immediately for assessment.
With the right care and correct oral hygiene practices, your dental implants should last a lifetime. However, the replacement tooth or bridge attached to your implant has a shorter lifespan between 5 to 20 years, depending on how well it is cared for.
After your treatment, we will advise you on the correct after-care for your dental implants and ensure you are equipped with the right products to care for them.
It is important to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent infection around your dental implant. With proper cleaning and regular dental check-ups, your dental implants will be in top shape for many years to come.
If you choose not to replace missing teeth, this can lead to further issues, such as:
Depending on your level of cover, your private health insurance may cover some of the costs of your dental implant treatment. The amount of cover can vary between different health funds so be sure to contact your provider for more information.
If you do not currently have private health insurance and are considering getting it for this treatment, please be aware that there is usually a 6 to 12 month waiting period before you can claim for any major dental. Ask your health fund provider for more information on coverage limits and waiting periods.
