Are Dental Implants what you really need?
Knowing if dental implants are necessary is something that Prahran Family Dental can safely advise you on.
Nobody wants to lose a tooth; especially if you lose a tooth and it leaves a gaping hole when you smile. If that happens, you lose confidence in smiling and laughing and you may even try to cover your mouth with your hand from embarrassment.
Tooth loss in a less obvious place in your mouth may also mean you have difficulty chewing when you eat. Other serious implications are that your other teeth shift due to the gap.
There may be more than one option to fix the problem and certainly dental implants is something our highly qualified dental implant dentists at Prahran Family Dental in Melbourne would speak with you about, as it may be the best dental solution when you lose a tooth.
What to do if you have just lost a tooth
If your tooth has been knocked out or dropped out then we recommend you make sure it is clean, you place it in milk and call for an emergency dentist nearby. Call us to find out if we can see you. It may be possible we can put your tooth back in rather than perform a tooth implant. We would need to assess your mouth first in order to provide you with the best professional advice and dental options for missing teeth.
We know it is concerning for our patients to be missing teeth. Further the loss of a tooth has an impact on the entire mouth and the spacing of your remaining teeth. Prahran Family Dental will speak with you about your options and advise on the best dental plan for your dental health.
Knowing about Dental Implants can Reduce Procrastination
There may be a very good reason why you haven’t had your mouth worked on to replace missing teeth. Many people experience anxiety even at the thought of dental work. Or, it could be that you haven’t had time or you think there’s nothing that can be done once a tooth is gone or that your dental solutions for missing teeth are limited.
We find that if our patients know about the dental implants procedure then they are more likely to have implant surgery. When you don’t know about something and you already have a fear of dentists, you’re likely to tolerate pain and discomfort to avoid a solution, even if it is better for you. The following will provide you with some initial information before you speak with our dental implant specialist.
What is a Dental Implant?
Dental Implants are a type of dental restoration or cosmetic dentistry. It is a highly popular treatment using a fixed tooth in place of your missing tooth or a tooth that needed to be removed due to too much damage. A custom tooth is created and a medical grade titanium tooth implant fixture used in the mouth so we can attach the crown (custom tooth).
There are advantages to having dental implant surgery:
- Permanent dental solution for missing teeth
- You don’t need to rely on other teeth like you do with a bridge
- Less problems with oral hygiene
- Preserves Jaw Bone Level
- Biocompatible
- Less gum irritation
- High success rate
- Durable
- Gives a natural tooth look like they were your own
What is the Procedure for Dental Implants?
The very first step is to assess the health of your mouth including jaw bone. We will conduct some examinations to assess the jaw bone condition and this will assist us to advise if dental implants are appropriate. If we advise this is the best dental solution for your missing tooth then the titanium implant fixture is placed surgically.
The implant procedure has only a few steps however do keep in mind that everyone’s situation and dental health is different and therefore the process and healing can vary. A titanium implant is placed at the site where the tooth is missing and the surrounding gum seals and heals around the implant. It takes about 3 to 4 months for the implant to fuse together with the jaw bone and become part of the jaw. If a grafting is required, it may take longer to heal.
Once the implant is fully anchored in place, your dentist will affix the custom made crown to finalize the procedure. The crown will be made to match your neighbouring teeth colour, shade and shape to restore the aesthetics, function and health. Your dentist at Prahran Family Dental will aim to make it as natural as possible to create the smile you want and restore function.
Bone Grafting / Augmentation for Dental Implants
For dental implant surgery to be successful there needs to be a sufficient amount of bone to support it. For cases where the thickness, depth and width of the jaw bone is not adequate, bone graft may be considered by our qualified dentists.
Often for cosmetic reasons, soft tissue or gum tissue can be grafted to satisfy the aesthetics of certain implants.
There are few different types of augmentation procedures:
A typical bone graft
For a single tooth replacement not having enough bone tissue, the bone graft can be harvested from within your mouth or different parts of your body, or we use artificial bone. The grafted material is then placed over the site to allow healing prior to implant placement.
Sinus Lift
Often for upper posterior teeth, if the bone ridge is not thick enough, by elevating the floor of the maxillary sinus and filling the space with grafted materials, it will create more room for the implant for stability and support.
Ridge Expansion
This is a type of bone graft for an implant site where the bone is not wide enough to place an implant. The dental surgeon will split the jaw along the top and fill the split space with graft materials. Often this technique is called a split ridge technique.
Care of You Teeth After Dental Extraction
You have an option of leaving the space empty during the healing period especially if the implant site is on a posterior region. For the cases where you wish to replace the missing teeth during the healing period, temporary denture or bridge can be constructed until the teeth are built up.
After the implants are placed in the jaw bone and the missing teeth are replaced, they require similar care as natural teeth with slightly more attention.
Recovery from the implant procedure depends on how many implants are placed, specific medical conditions and whether grafting was required. Regular dental check ups and is needed to review and maintain your implants and home care instructions will be provided. We will of course let you know about caring for your mouth and answer any questions you have before we book you in for surgery.
What Impact will Dental Implants have?
Imagine being able to turn up to a special event and smile freely without being conscious of a gap in your mouth. Or, if you are dating, laughing without inhibition. Having fun with your kids and enjoying family time without them avoiding watching you smile. All this is possible with dental implants.
You know you can confidently have dental treatment and dental implants expertly fitted at Prahran Family Dental as we are members of the Australian Dental Association. We understand how important it is for you to trust the dentist that is going to provide the dental work on one of your most important assets; your smile.
Dental Implant Costs and Procedure in Melbourne
The cost of dental implants may vary depending on whether your tooth is already missing or whether you need a tooth extraction, the structure and health of your mouth.
We have over ten years experience in dentistry. We have special qualifications in Dental Implant Surgery having completed an Implant Surgery Course in London in 2013. That translates into five years of specialist implant dentistry.
With our gentle approach and highly qualified dentists, you’ll be glad you trusted your teeth and smile to experts at Prahran Family Dental. As far as restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry is concerned, some go so far as to say that it Dental Implants are the best solution for tooth replacement.
Are you ready for a better solution to your tooth problems? Then we are ready to take your call. Speak to our friendly receptionist on (03) 9533 2288 to make a time for an initial consultation.
