When your dentist recommends dental implant surgery, it’s essential to understand the dental implant surgery process and what dental implants are. If you have gaps in your smile and are considering dental implants, arrange a consultation with your dentist at No Gaps Dental to discuss dental implant risks and benefits.
What is Dental Implant Surgery?
To understand the dental implant risks and benefits, you need to know what the dental implant surgery procedure involves. Dental implant surgery is completed over six to nine months and requires several appointments with your dentist.
Dental implant surgery involves inserting a small titanium metal screw into your jaw to function as the root for an artificial tooth. The five stages of dental implant surgery include:
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Evaluation
Your dentist will assess your overall oral health and go over the dental implant risks and benefits and how they could affect you.
You’ll receive a thorough oral examination and any treatments required for conditions like tooth decay and gum disease.
These may include getting fillings to stop decay in adjacent teeth before surgery or a course of antibiotics to eliminate infection.
Your dentist performs digital scans or X-rays to assess your jawbone thickness and density, and they may also measure you for temporary dentures to wear while your implants heal.
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Implant placement
During the initial placement of the dental implants, your dentist administers a local anaesthetic to the implant site. If you have dental anxiety, you may also request inhalation sedation, which uses a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide to induce a deeply relaxed state. Placing dental implants typically takes an hour or two for each implant post.
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Osseointegration
Osseointegration is the period when your dental implants heal and stimulate new bone growth. This process allows the implant post to fuse with the body to form a stable foundation for the dental restoration.
While the time it takes for this process to complete varies between individuals, it typically takes a minimum of three months for the bone to completely fuse with the post.
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Final abutment placement
An abutment connects the restoration with dental implants. The wound site is reopened to attach the connector and takes about two weeks to heal. Abutments can be placed during the initial dental implant surgery, or once the area heals, depending on the treatment plan your No Gaps Dental professional decides is best for your smile.
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Restoration placement
Depending on the type of dental implant surgery, your restoration may be a dental crown, dental plate or dental bridge. A crown covers the abutment of the dental implant and is normally made from zirconia, ceramic, or porcelain. Most bridges are made of ceramics and metal or porcelain fused with metal.
Dental Implant Risks and Benefits
During the evaluation process of your treatment, some risks your dentist might discuss with you include:
- Nerve damage or sinus issues, like sinusitis or an oroantral fistula, may occur during or after dental implant surgery if the drilling depth is too deep.
- Blood vessels, gums, or surrounding teeth may be damaged during placement.
- Infections such as peri-implantitis can occur after surgery without proper aftercare. Peri-implantitis can lead to alveolar bone loss, soft tissue destruction, and implant failure.
- Bone damage due to a worn drill or a dentist’s lack of skill may require additional restorative or reconstructive treatments.
Some of the benefits of dental implants include:
- Dental implants closely resemble and function like a natural tooth. The porcelain or zirconia material used to make the restoration has the same lustre as natural teeth and is colour-matched to blend seamlessly with your smile.
- Dental implants act as a natural root and prevent the jawbone from decaying. Reducing bone resorption can prevent your face from appearing aged and decrease the risk of tooth misalignment.
- Because the implant post stabilises the jaw, it can withstand significant bite force, making eating easier with dental implants compared to other tooth replacement options.
- Dental implants also improve your speech and the look of your smile. Because they are made to perfectly match your existing, original teeth, a dental implant doesn’t require adhesives so that it won’t slip or impede speech like some other replacement treatments.
Reducing the Risk of Dental Implants At No Gaps Dental
If you’re considering tooth replacement, the professionals at No Gaps Dental can guide you through the process, from preparing for your surgery, to what to expect afterwards.
No Gaps Dental considers your safety our top priority, and we uphold the highest hygiene and infection control standards, including the use of hand sanitiser by all clinic personnel. We also make hand sanitiser available to all patients in our waiting rooms.
Cautionary measures implemented at all times to reduce the risk in our clinics include:
- Thorough and frequent cleaning of all shared spaces and frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitiser
- Comprehensive training administered to staff regarding infection prevention and control
Stopping the spread of infection can also be aided by following some simple guidelines to prepare for your upcoming dental implant surgery:
- Get vaccinated and remember to get your boosters updated
- Practice safe social distancing and always wear your facemask when in public spaces
- Wash your hands frequently, and use hand sanitiser to prevent germs and bacteria from growing.
Visit No Gaps Dental for High-Quality Dental Implants
If you have one or more missing teeth, visit one of the 15 No Gaps Dental locations around Sydney for an initial consultation. Our skilled dentists can determine whether you are a candidate for dental implants and explain the dental implant risks and benefits in detail so you can make an informed decision for your oral health.
Call us on 02 8007 6727 today.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Alcohol-based handrubs
https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/infection-prevention-and-control/national-hand-hygiene-initiative-nhhi/what-hand-hygiene/alcohol-based-handrubs
Dental Implant Procedure
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dental-implant
Dental Implant Procedure: Everything You Need to Know
https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-to-expect-during-a-dental-implant-procedure-1059372