Dental implants are a popular solution to replace a missing tooth or several teeth. They offer convenience and comfort, as well as a long-lasting and natural-looking alternative to dental bridges and dentures. If you’re considering getting dental implants, it’s important to understand the procedure in order to make an informed decision about your oral health care. 

 

Know all about dental implants

Dental Implants are an artificial restoration solution that is designed to replace missing teeth. They are typically made from titanium, ceramic or zirconia and offer a natural-looking, durable and secure solution for restoring lost teeth. Dental implants provide stability and aesthetics similar to natural teeth, enabling patients to eat, speak and smile with confidence. 

 

Types of dental implants

With the advances in dental materials and technology, there are now various types of dental implants available on the market today, each one suited to meet different patient needs.

Depending on the requirement of individual patients, these implants can be used to replace one single tooth or even an entire arch of missing teeth. They come in different shades and materials that can not only restore functionality but also aesthetic appearance for individuals suffering from severe tooth loss. 

 

Single tooth implant

Single-tooth implants are a revolutionary form of dental implant technology that can provide patients with an effective and attractive alternative to traditional dental bridges.

They are suitable for patients with all types of dental issues ranging from simple gaps between teeth to more complex cases, such as when multiple teeth have been lost or severely damaged due to decay or injury.

In addition, single-tooth implants can be used in situations where there is not enough space for a traditional bridge or when replacing multiple missing teeth would be too expensive or impractical.

Single-tooth implants are generally considered very safe and successful. 

 

Full mouth implant

Full-mouth tooth implants are ideal for those with significant tooth loss due to decay, disease, or injury.

In contrast to traditional bridges or removable dentures, full-mouth implants provide superior stability and comfort while allowing patients to eat and speak normally.

Full mouth implants require several surgical procedures that span over several months in order to ensure successful integration into the jawbone and proper placement of the replacement teeth.

After healing from the surgery is complete, full mouth implants provide unparalleled convenience compared to other types of replacements as they stay securely in place without any need for further adhesives or anchoring devices like dentures do. 

 

All-On-4 implants

All-On-4 implants are a revolutionary dental implant procedure to replace missing teeth. This innovative solution permanently replaces multiple teeth with only four implants in the jawbone, as opposed to traditional implants, which require at least six or more.

All-On-4 implants also provide greater stability and support, making them ideal for those with weak or compromised gums and bone structure.

All-On-4 implants can be used to replace a single tooth or several missing teeth and are especially beneficial for people who have suffered bone loss due to periodontal disease.

While traditional dental implants require up to six months of healing time before the permanent bridge is placed, All-On-Four allows patients to get their new smile almost immediately after treatment. 

 

Endosteal implants

Endosteal implants are a type of dental prosthesis that is used to support prosthetic teeth. They are commonly made from titanium or zirconium material and can be either cylindrical or screw-shaped.

Endosteal implants are most suitable for people with adequate bone mass in the jaw because they require a strong bone structure for proper anchoring. They help prevent bone loss due to their presence within the bone tissue itself. These implant types are also used when more rigid structures, such as bridges or dental crowns, need support.

Endosteal implants may have a longer healing time than other implant types, although this varies depending on the individual patient’s unique situation.

With proper care and maintenance, endosteal implants can last for many years with minimal risk of infection or complications. 

 

Subperiosteal implants

Subperiosteal implants are placed directly onto the jawbone and held in place by a metal frame that is fitted just under the gum tissue.

This type of implant surgery provides an ideal solution for individuals who may not be suitable candidates for other forms of dental implant treatment due to inadequate bone structure or insufficient gum tissue.

Recent advancements in technology have made subperiosteal implants even more reliable and have increased their popularity among both patients and dentists. Subperiosteal implants offer many advantages, including improved stability, better chewing ability and reduced risk of infection or rejection by the body. 

 

Zygomatic implants

Zygomatic implants are a type of dental implant used to support a full arch of teeth when there is not enough bone volume in the upper jaw to support traditional implants.

This procedure is commonly used when an individual has suffered from severe facial trauma or complications from gum disease or advanced resorption.

With zygomatic implants, the area being treated can be greatly expanded due to their extended length, which makes them ideal for situations where there is a lack of sufficient vertical height in the jawbone.

This type of implant offers some distinct advantages over traditional options since it often requires less surgical intervention and fewer bone grafts. Additionally, recovery time may be shorter than other alternatives as well. 

 

 

Benefits of tooth implants

Investing in tooth implants offers many advantages that make it a worthwhile financial commitment, such as 

 

Better aesthetics

Dental implant crowns are made of materials like ceramic or porcelain which exactly mimic the colour and sheen of your natural teeth. Since they are custom created according to your dental impression, they fit perfectly as well and are indistinguishable from real teeth. 

 

Long-lasting results

With proper care, dental implants are designed to last a lifetime. They provide a permanent and secure solution to replace missing teeth, offering convenience and comfort while providing a long-lasting, natural-looking appearance that cannot be achieved with bridges or dentures. 

 

No damage or wear of adjacent teeth

Unlike bridges or partial dentures, dental implants do not require grinding down healthy teeth to be fitted. This is beneficial because it increases the longevity of other teeth and allows them to remain healthy and strong.

Dental implants offer a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth, one that does not need to be replaced or re-fitted periodically like dentures. 

 

Improved oral function and comfort

Dental implants give back the ability to bite and chew food normally, giving patients improved oral function and comfort. This is due to the way implants are securely anchored into the jawbone, providing stability and strength similar to natural teeth. 

 

Minimal risk of gum disease and tooth decay

Since the implant is anchored directly in the jawbone, it does not create any additional risks for gum disease or tooth decay. The space between dentures and the gum could be a breeding ground for bacteria, as could a gap left by a missing tooth. Permanently fitted dentures eliminate these spaces and allow for proper cleaning of the mouth. 

 

The dental implant treatment

The implantation process involves three main steps spread out over 8 – 12 months, depending on each individual case. If you have a healthy mouth with sufficient bone matter and no dental disease, you should get it done quite quickly, but if you require pre-treatment such as treating dental decay or periodontal disease or even a bone graft to shore up a weak jaw, it could take a couple of months longer. 

 

Pre-surgery evaluation

When you come into Dental Spot for your initial consultation, our experienced dentist will determine your eligibility for dental implant surgery by taking your medical history.

Using innovative tools, we’ll conduct a comprehensive assessment of both teeth and jawbone before tailoring a treatment plan unique to your case, which will help in minimising discomfort and speed up recovery time.

We ensure a successful implant by taking care of any dental treatment needs – such as dental decay removal or bone grafting – before beginning the implant process. 

 

Dental implant post

Implant placement is the first step in the treatment, where a screw-like post is placed in the jaw bone to replace the root of a missing tooth. This is the implant itself.

The post is securely attached to the jawbone with special screws and titanium posts, which will help hold the new tooth in place.

Over time, the implant fuses with your natural bone through a process called osseointegration. This integration creates an incredibly strong connection that ensures the implant won’t move or shift over time.

Once implanted, the post will be allowed to heal for 3-6 months. During this time, the jawbone will gradually fuse with the implant. The implantation process happens slowly and naturally as the body recognises and accepts the implant as part of itself. 

 

Abutment fitting

After a successful implant fusion with the jawbone, our highly-skilled dentists will carefully and securely attach an abutment to the post.

This is a small metal connector that joins your custom prosthetic tooth or teeth to the implant post but first requires an incision into your gum tissue. Our skilled dentist will fix the abutment to the implant using specialist adhesives.

After this process has been completed and the abutment is firmly secure, we then reposition your gum tissue so it heals around the abutment, leaving the top exposed. Most patients take between 4-6 weeks to fully recover from this procedure. 

 

Placement of the crown

This is the final stage of the dental implant procedure.

It begins with impressions taken during a preceding appointment to make sure each piece fits precisely into place. The impression is then sent to a dental lab for custom-created ceramic or porcelain crowns.

Then, once your gum has healed fully, we affix artificial tooth/teeth in alignment with any natural teeth you have maintained, utilising special adhesives.

Once complete, an extensive examination is conducted by our team before you leave fully prepared for that dazzling new smile! 

 

Revive your smile with Dental Spot’s innovative dental implants!

Our artificial teeth are designed to give you a long-lasting and natural smile and to help you reclaim the confidence you lost due to damaged or missing teeth.

Thanks to our minimally invasive surgical procedure, this restoration solution can replace anything from one tooth up to multiple ones – making it easier than ever before for those who want durable and aesthetic results in the same package.

Book an appointment now or call us on (02) 9158 6115 for top-quality implants fitted by highly-qualified, experienced and caring dentists.

 

 

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

 

 

 

References

Endosteal Implant: Dental Implant Types and Procedures
https://www.healthline.com/health/endosteal-implant

Benefits for Each Type of Dental Implant
https://www.smpimplants.com/benefits-for-each-type-of-dental-implant/#:~:text=Endosteal%20implants%20are%20less%20prone,and%20maintenance%20of%20endosteal%20implants