According to the Australian Dental Association, the average Australian adult is missing 4.5 teeth. Unfortunately, having missing teeth can lead to other serious oral health issues. Missing teeth can cause jawbone deterioration, tooth misalignment, gum disease, and tooth decay. Having missing or broken teeth can also cause you to feel self-conscious about smiling or lead to speech problems.
Dental implants are a natural-looking, permanent solution to replace missing teeth. You can get a consultation at your local dental clinic to ask how are dental implants done and find out if they’re right for you.
What Are Dental Implants?
To understand how dental implants are done, you first need to know that there are two categories of dental implants: subperiosteal and endosteal. The dental implant procedure varies slightly between the two. A dentist that offers consultations can advise you about which type is suitable for your specific treatment needs.
Endosteal
Endosteal dental implants are the most commonly used and are normally made from titanium because they are surgically embedded into the jawbone. This type of dental implant looks like a small screw. They are fitted with an abutment that protrudes through the gum to hold a replacement tooth.
Subperiosteal
Subperiosteal dental implants aren’t as standard as endosteal dental implants because this type of implant is used when the jawbone isn’t healthy or strong enough to support an endosteal dental implant. They sit on or just above the jawbone, underneath the gum, rather than being drilled into the bone tissue.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implant surgery for tooth replacement has advantages over more traditional forms of replacement treatment, like dentures.
- They look and feel just like your natural teeth.
- Maintaining good oral hygiene after undergoing the dental implant procedure is as simple as a regular oral care routine.
- The surrounding teeth are not affected by dental implants. Unlike bridges, a dental implant does not rely on the surrounding teeth for structural support.
- A dental implant improves bite function and won’t slip or fall out.
How Are Dental Implants Done?
The dental implant procedure involves several steps, including oral surgeries and potentially long healing phases, lasting between two and six months. There are three main phases of the dental implant procedure.
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Assessment, Imaging, and Placement
During the first step of the dental implant procedure, your dentist takes detailed pictures of your mouth. Using those scans, they’ll determine how to properly place the implant, the type of dental implant surgery and which implant to use, and other details of your personalised treatment.
During the initial dental implant surgery, the dentist or oral surgeon makes a small incision in the gum. A small hole is drilled into the jawbone to receive the implant post for an endosteal implant.
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Osseointegration
Once the abutment is placed, a temporary crown may be fitted to aid in chewing function during the recovery process. The healing process for a dental implant is called osseointegration. Osseointegration is when the bone heals and grows around the implant, creating a stable foundation to use as the root for a replacement tooth, and you can expect this process to take from three to six months.
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Permanent Replacement
Once the implant site is fully healed, and osseointegration has occurred, the permanent crown or prosthesis is placed onto the abutment. Replacement prosthetics, often artificial crowns, are matched to your surrounding teeth, so they look natural and result in a better-looking and feeling smile.
Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth, or an entire dental arch, which makes them incredibly flexible and adaptable to the needs of individual patients. An implant bridge uses two or more implant screws joined together by side-by-side crowns connected to create a bridge. An implant-supported denture can be attached to two or more implant posts to replace all teeth along an upper or lower jaw.
You can get a dental consultation near you at Dental Spot, where we exceed expectations, one smile at a time. Our staff can answer your questions about how dental implants are done and provide dental care that is effective, affordable, and stress-free. Call us today at (02) 9158 6115 or use our online form to book your appointment.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
How many teeth do you have? How many will you keep for life?
https://www.ada.org.au/News-Media/News-and-Release/Media-Releases/How-many-teeth-do-you-have-How-many-will-you-keep#
What Is an Endosteal Implant?
https://www.verywellhealth.com/endosteal-implants-5216744
Endosteal Implants — Are They Right for You?
https://www.healthline.com/health/endosteal-implant
Dental implants
https://www.teeth.org.au/dental-implants
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