Dental implants replace single or multiple teeth. They look and feel like a natural tooth. And when looked after, they’re long-lasting. As a restorative dental treatment, dental implants are a great option if you want dental prosthetics that:
- won’t fall out when eating
- don’t fly out when you need sneeze
- won’t come loose while you’re chatting to your friends over lunch.
For 108,399 Australians this treatment is the right choice. If you’re just beginning to explore your options and dental implants are a new concept, then it’s wise to take time to understand what they are, how they work, and if they’re the best tooth replacement option for you.
In this short guide, we’ll cover some basic dental implant must-knows and link to articles that answer some of the most common dental implant questions.
What are dental implants?
Fitting single or multiple dental implants is a two-stage process.
- Fitting a titanium screw-like implant that acts like a tooth root, anchoring the tooth securely.
- Attaching a tooth replacement that fixes to the fitting. A natural-looking ceramic crown replaces your lost tooth and matches the surrounding teeth.
Technically, if we’re going full nerd-dentist here, the implant is the titanium screw-like part. That’s the bit that’s implanted into the gum. But generally, the whole thing—implant, abutment, and ceramic crown—is referred to as a dental implant.
Implants come in different sizes. Your implant size will depend on the size of your mouth, jaw, and the gap we’re filling.
Getting more than one implant or full mouth dental implants
When several teeth are missing from the upper or lower jaw, full mouth implants may be a better option than individual implants. You may sometimes hear this called ‘All on 4 implants’. This is where at least four implants secure a whole row of prosthetic teeth or a bridge.
The official dental industry name for this treatment is ‘full-arch implant-supported bridge’ but that’s a mouthful. All on 4, All on X, All on 6 or multiple implants are a lot easier to say. And they all achieve the same result.
As with a single implant, the All on 4 procedure involves placing titanium screw-like fittings into the jawbone. Where they’re placed depends on the size of the bridge or arch needed. Generally, the fittings are evenly spaced to ensure the row of prosthetic teeth is sufficiently anchored.
Learn more about All on 4 full mouth implants and how this treatment works.
How do dental implants work?
Understanding how implants are fitted and secured to the jawbone makes it easier to grasp just how similar they are to natural teeth. Once healed, you can eat, chew, drink and even clean your dental implants in the same way you care for natural teeth. Patients appreciate this. There’s no need to carry extra brushes or storage for their prosthetic teeth.
And the biggest bonus? Once fitted, they’re in place for good. There’s no need to remove them or clean them like you would with dentures or a bridge. That said, implant care is important. Like natural teeth, implants can fall out if their owners don’t look after them.
When an implant falls out, we call it implant failure. The failure rate of implants that are fitted into a healthy mouth is only 2%-4% of implants fail. This is an important point. The health of your mouth and your lifestyle play a huge role in protecting and prolonging the life of your dental implants. This is why you (with help from your dentist) need to assess these things carefully to decide if implants are right for you.
Should I get dental implants?
If you can answer “Yes” to one or more of these 6 signs, then it’s time to move ‘get dental implants’ from your ‘maybe’ to-list onto your let’s-get-this-done list.
- You get frustrated, uncomfortable or embarrassed by everyday happenings such as sneezing, eating hard or chewy foods, and smiling.
- You want a secure, long-lasting, natural-looking replacement for one or more missing teeth.
- You’ve got the finances to support the cost of dental implants, and you’re ready to use this money to prioritise your oral health.
- One or more of your teeth are missing or broken, and so multiple implants make more financial sense.
- You’ve quit smoking, which improves the chance of treatment success.
- You’re worried about jawbone loss or deterioration and the changing shape of your face because of missing teeth.
Getting dental implants isn’t something you decide on a whim. Understanding treatment costs, expected outcomes and time frames is vital, so you can evaluate your options, make a plan and then hit ‘go.’ We can help you with all of this.
Delivering dental implant treatment and care in Central Queensland
Asking a dentist to assess your current oral health and discuss any essential remedial or preparatory work, is the first step to ensuring you’re ready for dental implants.
Whether you’re at the start of your dental implant journey or you’re ready to take the next step, Keppel Dental can help. We use the latest digital dentistry technologies and high quality dental implant products to deliver the best dental implant care possible for patients in Central Queensland and beyond.
Contact us and our friendly staff will book your free first consultation with me, Dr Luke. We’ll discuss your concerns, the procedure, the timelines and the estimated cost for your treatment.
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