For anyone with a damaged or missing tooth or teeth, dental implants are an effective and natural-looking tooth replacement option. Whether you have gaps in your smile because of a genetic reason, injury, or infection, dental implant surgery can offer a long-lasting solution with several benefits. 

If you’re considering getting dental implant surgery, here’s what to know about dental implants, including their advantages and how long the process takes. 

What to Know About Dental Implants – What is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are permanent dental appliances that attach to your jaw, fusing with your jawbone to act as replacement tooth roots to fill unwanted gaps in your smile. 

Dental implants are a highly sought after tooth replacement treatment because they look and act just like natural teeth. Whether you have one missing tooth or an entire row of missing teeth, getting dental implant surgery offers a wide range of benefits. Some upsides of getting dental implants include: 

• Easier Eating and Speaking

A damaged or missing tooth can make simple activities that we often take for granted, such as eating and speaking, much more difficult. When you fill those spaces with dental implants, you regain normal teeth function and enjoy all your favourite foods and speak without fear of embarrassment or discomfort. 

• Boosted Confidence

Patients who pursue dental implant surgery not only benefit from gaining new teeth that can help them eat and speak with more ease, but dental implants can help them look and feel their best. 

• Improved Oral Health

The gaps caused by a damaged or missing tooth can lead to more serious oral health issues if left untreated. When you opt for dental implant surgery, receiving dental implants can prevent your jawbone from deteriorating and fostering bone growth. Beyond preventing further bone loss, dental implants don’t impact the surrounding teeth and make it easier to reach between teeth to maintain healthy teeth, gums, and bones. 

Do Dental Implants Hurt?

While it’s easy to assume that inserting a titanium rod into your jawbone would hurt, the professionals at Dental Spot use state-of-the-art dental implants and minimally invasive procedures to make your dental implant surgery as painless as possible. They also use a local anaesthetic to numb the area where the implant will be inserted.  

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

With proper oral hygiene and care, dental implants won’t need replacement and can last for the remainder of your life. Additionally, crowns can last up to 15 years by practising healthy dental hygiene habits. 

What Does Dental Implant Surgery Entail and How Long Does it Take? 

The time it takes to complete dental implant surgery varies by patient. It depends on factors such as how many teeth need to be replaced, whether you need additional tooth extractions or bone grafting, and other issues relating to your oral health. In total, dental implant surgery generally takes anywhere from three to nine months. 

Before you can be considered for dental implants, your dentist performs an oral exam to assess your gums and bones’ health. To be eligible for dental implants, you must have strong, dense bones and healthy gums. If you’re deemed a strong candidate for dental implant surgery, your dentist performs scans and x-rays of your teeth and bones to develop your custom implants. 

If you require additional tooth extractions before the implants can be inserted, your dentist may extract these teeth before your implant surgery or do it during your implant session. Next, your periodontist will insert the dental implant directly into your jawbone or under the gumline. However, if you lack sufficient jaw bone, you will have to undergo a bone graft, which requires additional healing time before your implants can be placed. 

Once the implant is added to your jawbone, the bone will begin fusing with the implant. This process varies from person-to-person, but healing time typically takes anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks. Once your dentist has determined that your implant is stable and your jaw and surrounding tissue have healed, they place the abutment. In less complicated cases, this phase of your dental implant surgery may be performed simultaneously. Once your gums have healed, your dentist attaches your new, custom made tooth or teeth. 

When to Get Dental Implants?

If you’re missing one or more teeth and it’s impacting your ability to eat, talk, or feel confident, it’s time to speak with your dentist about dental implants. When you visit Dental Spot in Croydon, our dental team will go over what to know about dental implants and how they can work for you. Make an appointment today by calling our practice on (02) 9158 6115. 

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