Tooth implants, or dental implants, are a highly effective solution for missing teeth. Since they can replace the entire tooth, from the root to the crown, dental implants are long-lasting and often permanent. However, the artificial tooth may need replacing about every 15 years.
If you’re exploring tooth replacement treatment, you may be wondering, what is a tooth implant? The term dental implant refers to a medical device implanted into the jaw in place of a tooth.
Dental implant surgery is a multi-step process that takes several months to complete. Before making your decision to receive dental implants, book a consultation with one of the skilled and experienced dentists at No Gaps Dental.
What is a Tooth Implant: Dental Implant Components
Dental implants are small titanium posts surgically inserted into the jawbone, serving as a replacement for your tooth’s root. Over time, the implant fuses with your bone, forming a secure bond and creating a solid platform for the rest of the replacement. The fusion process, known as osseointegration, ensures a snug fit and provides long-term stability for the implant.
The complete implant restoration consists of two more important components: the abutment and the crown. The abutment is a connection piece that attaches the implant to the crown. Like dental implants, abutments are typically made from titanium. A dental crown is a prosthesis that finishes the restoration.
At No Gaps Dental, we use Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC) technology to scan, design, and fabricate custom crowns. CEREC employs computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacture (CAM) to take digital impressions of your teeth and gums.
These images are sent directly to the milling machine, where one of our dentists puts the finishing touches on the crown’s design before your custom dental implants are made.
A key advantage of using CEREC technology is speedy fabrication. We can design and fit your crowns in as little as one hour. Our same-day system ensures that you don’t have to spend weeks wearing uncomfortable temporaries while waiting for your customised dental crown to return from the dental laboratory. Our dental crowns are milled from a single ceramic block, giving them a natural aesthetic, so they blend seamlessly with your existing teeth and natural smile.
What is a Tooth Implant: Dental Implant Surgery
Dental implant surgery involves a minimum of four appointments, spread over several months. Depending on osseointegration, the healing process, and whether you need any preparatory work, the length of the procedure can vary.
Initial consultation
The first step is an initial consultation with one of the experienced dentists at No Gaps Dental. We carry out a comprehensive dental examination to evaluate the condition of your teeth, gums, and jawbone.
Using state-of-the-art technology, we take X-rays and 3D images of your mouth to determine whether you are a candidate for dental implants. Sanitation is a priority for all our dental procedures. We provide hand sanitiser for patients, visitors, and staff.
In some cases, candidates may require preparatory work before having dental implant surgery. For example, active gum disease must be treated with antibiotics before surgery, removing any infection and diseased tissue. A damaged or infected tooth may need to be extracted before surgery. If missing teeth or an accident has resulted in jawbone degradation, you may also require a bone graft to strengthen it.
A minor bone graft may be completed at the same time as the dental implant surgery. However, a bone graft typically requires several weeks to heal before the jaw is ready for surgery.
Implant surgery
Your dentist makes a small incision in the gum during implant surgery to access the jawbone. The next step is to drill a small hole into the bone, creating space for the dental implant. The titanium posts are then secured in place, and the gums are sutured closed.
In the months after your initial surgery, your gums will heal, and the bone begins to fuse with the dental implant. The time needed for osseointegration varies depending on the patient and the number of dental implants. However, it usually takes between two and six months.
Abutment placement
Once your dentist is satisfied with the osseointegration process, you need another minor surgery to attach the abutment. The dental surgeon reopens the gum to access the implant then quickly secures the abutment before resealing the area around but not over the abutment. Your dentist can fit a temporary denture over the implant at your request.
Before the final step of the procedure, you’ll require a further two weeks of healing time.
Fitting the dental crown
The dental implant process is completed by fitting a permanent dental crown.
At No Gaps Dental, we proudly offer same-day crowns. Our custom-made crowns are designed, shaped, and coloured to your exact specifications to match your existing teeth and complexion.
Our hassle-free process requires just one dental visit, allowing you to walk out of our practice with a beautiful new smile.
No Gaps Dental Sanitisation Standards
No Gaps Dental maintains exceptional hygiene standards for all our procedures, including dental implants. Our staff uses high-quality, tested personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure the safety of our patients and dentists. Our stringent safety protocols require our dentists to use hand sanitiser before and after all procedures. We stock hand sanitiser with 60% ethanol and 70% isopropanol, reducing the risk of infection.
Regain Your Confidence With Dental Implants From No Gaps Dental
If you have experienced tooth loss and find yourself wondering, what is a tooth implant?, book a consultation with No Gaps Dental. Don’t allow oral health issues to affect your quality of life; get dental implants and start your journey to a beautiful smile today. We have 15 locations within the Sydney metro area for your convenience. Call us on (02) 8806 0227 or schedule an appointment online.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Everything to Know About a Dental Implant Procedure
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/dental-implant-procedure
Antibiotics in the management of aggressive periodontitis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3467876/
Dental Implants
https://www.teeth.org.au/dental-implants