If you have one or more missing teeth, there are several options for filling the gap and restoring the natural look and function of your smile.
Dental implants are a popular choice for long-term tooth replacement, but it's important to do your research and find out as much as you can about this procedure so you can decide if it's right for you.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Dental implants have a high success rate. Unlike dentures or a dental bridge, implants are secured in the jaw bone where they act like the missing teeth roots to provide more stability for replacement teeth.
Dental implants may be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth in a row or even all the teeth in your mouth using full arch implants. These prosthetic teeth are designed by dentists to blend in with your other teeth so they will look as natural as possible.
Implants are made from titanium, a strong biocompatible material that can fuse with the jaw bone to support continuing bone growth. This means implants can avoid the sunken face look that sometimes follows tooth loss.
Can anyone have dental implants?
Your dentist will check your medical history and assess your oral health and jaws to determine if you are a suitable candidate for implant treatment.
If you don't have enough bone in your jaw to support an implant, you may need a bone grafting procedure. However, some types of implants are designed to be suitable for people with smaller jaws.
If you have an oral health problem such as gum disease or an infected tooth, this will need to be treated before an implant procedure can begin. Certain health conditions can also make people unsuitable for implants if they affect bone healing.
How much do dental implants cost?
Dental implants cost more than a bridge or dentures up-front. However, they will also usually last for longer – sometimes for a lifetime – which can make implants a one-time expense.
Your dentist will make sure you understand the costs involved and whether your treatment is eligible for insurance cover, government benefits or payment plans.
What are the risks of dental implants?
Complications are rare if dental implant treatments are carried out by a qualified and experienced dentist, but your dentist will still explain the possible risks before you agree to the treatment. These can include infections, damage to surrounding teeth and nerves or sinus problems.
As oral surgery is involved, dental implants also have a longer recovery period than some other dental treatments. You should eat soft food after the treatment to give your mouth time to heal. It's normal to experience some pain, swelling, bruising or bleeding, which can be managed using medication or other remedies.
What are the alternatives to implants?
If you're not sure whether dental implants are the right choice for you, your dentist will also discuss other options such as dental bridge or dentures for replacing individual or multiple teeth.
Find out more about dental implants in Everton Park and Mitchelton
If you want to know more about dental implants in Brisbane to decide whether they might be right for you, book a consultation with our dentists at Swish Dental today.
Call our dentists in Everton Park on (07) 3355 1422 or our Mitchelton practice on (07) 3354 3341.