Getting teeth replaced with dental implants

If you are missing one or more teeth the most effective, long-term solution is dental implant treatment.

There are a number of treatments for missing teeth. From dental bridges and dentures to dental implants, dentists offer patients solutions which best suit their needs.

Carnegie Dental Group in Melbourne offer patients a selection of treatments to ensure each patient receives the best treatment for their needs.

Our dentists recommend dental implants because no other treatment looks after both your jaw and your teeth the way dental implants do.

Dental implant treatment

Replacing a missing tooth is more than an aesthetic treatment. When you lose a tooth the teeth on either side of the gap start to shift in an attempt to fill the gap. This then causes crooked teeth which can result in a misaligned bite. Also crooked teeth are harder to clean and more susceptible to gum disease.

Then there are the jaw problems associated with tooth loss.

When you lose a tooth the bone which holds the tooth root in place starts to dissolve. And it does not grow back. By replacing the tooth root with a dental implant you are looking after the health of your jawbone.

Dental implant placement

A dental implant is surgically inserted at the site of the missing tooth root. It can take up to 3 months for your jawbone to fuse with the dental implant, this process is known as osseointegration and once complete provides you with a strong and sturdy artificial tooth root.

The next step after this is the placement of the abutment. This is what helps to connect the dental implant with the dental crown or bridge.

All up this treatment can take between 4 to 6 months and at the end of it you’ll have a healthy tooth replacement.  How many teeth you’ve lost will determine how many dental implants are used and whether or not you will need a dental crown, bridge or fixed denture.

Your oral health and dental implants

Dental implants can last a lifetime, and the restoration attached to it (either dental crown or bridge) can last up to 15-20 years.

However, your dental implant is not impervious to disease. In fact the leading cause of dental implant failure is perioimplantitis—a.k.a. gum disease for dental implants.

To avoid perioimplantitis you should always brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once. Looking after your dental implant is just like looking after your normal teeth.

Keep in mind after any restorative work it is important you maintain your regular six monthly check-ups. During these appointments your Carnegie Dental Group dentist can keep an eye on your oral health and the health of your restoration.

If you would like to know more about how Carnegie Dental Group can help you, or to book an appointment at our dental practice, please contact us today.

Share:
Leave comment