What is Dental Implant Treatment? The Lowdown

1st May 2022

What is Dental Implant Treatment? The Lowdown

Dental implants are replacements for tooth roots. They are typically made from titanium—a metal compatible with the human body—and embedded into the jaw to maintain strength and stability. They are a long-lasting tooth replacement option that can last for decades in some cases. If you’re considering the procedure, here’s the lowdown on what is dental implant treatment.

 

How does a dental implant work?

Dental implant surgery is a technique that has made it possible for people to replace missing teeth with a secure and stable alternative. The implant is the titanium screw-like rod that replaces a tooth root and is placed within the jawbone. This supports a dental crown or false tooth, and they are joined together via a connecting post called an abutment. 

This restoration looks and feels like a natural tooth. It restores a person’s ability to eat and speak and can even improve self-esteem. Dental implants can replace not only one tooth but several teeth in a row or even a complete arch of teeth. 

 

What is dental implant treatment? – The process 

process tooth implant sydneyThe dental implants procedure is a multi-step process that consists of: 

  • dental implant surgery to place the implant 
  • a healing period (typically three months) to allow the implant to integrate with the jawbone in a process called osseointegration
  • attachment of the crown

 

How long does the dental implant process take?

The dental implant procedure can take up to nine months from start to finish. However, it may be considerably longer depending on whether you are having multiple dental implants fitted—and whether you require other procedures beforehand, such as gum disease treatment or a bone grafting to ensure your mouth is as healthy as possible before the dental implants procedure commences. 

Dental implant surgery generally takes between one and two hours per implant and is carried out under a local anaesthetic. Although implant surgery is relatively painless, anxious patients can request other dental sedation to help them relax during the procedure. After dental implant surgery, patients may experience some pain when the effects of the anaesthetic wear off. There may also be some facial swelling and bruising, depending on the complexity of the treatment, but this can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain medication and ice packs. 

 

 

Multiple visits will be required to the dentist throughout the process and include:

 

  • Examination and Assessment

We must first examine your mouth, teeth, and gums to check for any visible signs of decay, gum disease, and bone loss. We will also follow up with x-rays and bone scans to see if your jaw has adequate bone to support the implant. A key to successful dental implant surgery is having an abundance of dense, healthy bone in the jaw to support the implant.

 

  • Dental Implant Surgery

This involves making a small incision in the gum to access the jawbone. A small hole is drilled in the bone, and the implant is inserted. The gum incision is stitched over the implant to allow it to heal.

 

  • Crown Attachment

Attaching the crown to the implant occurs once the implant has successfully fused with the surrounding bone, several weeks or months after dental implant surgery. This is a simple procedure where the implant is exposed by making a small incision in the gum and attaching the crown via the abutment to complete the treatment.

 

Who is a suitable candidate for dental implants?

Not everyone is a good candidate for dental implant surgery. The following circumstances may be cause for concern:

 

Age

Health is the most crucial factor for the placement of dental implants – both jaw health and general health. While there’s no upper age limit for implants, most surgeons recommend they should not be placed before an individual reaches the age of 18. By this time, the jaw should have fully developed.

 

Health

Millions of people get dental implants every year, and many of them assume that oral health is the only thing that matters as to their suitability.

teeth implants steps procedure sydneyImplants can indeed be affected by gum disease and tooth decay, but other conditions can also affect them, including diabetes.

While diabetes itself is not an infection, diabetes and certain medications can make people prone to infections, leading to gum disease and a similar condition that can affect dental implants, called peri-implantitis.

Other medical conditions can be problematic for dental implants. This is why it’s essential to give your dentist all the appropriate information about your medical history and dental needs when undergoing a dental implant procedure.

 

Smoking

Smoking is bad for everyone, but did you know smoking puts you at a higher risk of gum disease and tooth loss? Countless studies have shown that smoking or chewing tobacco increases your risk of developing gum disease. Gum disease destroys gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth. If gum disease is not treated, it may result in tooth loss.

Similarly, smoking and dental implants are not a good combination. Smoking may slow down the healing process when dental implants have first been placed because it interferes with the oxygen levels in the blood, decreasing the rate at which it flows. Blood flow is essential for carrying nutrients around the body to maintain healthy gums and bones and fight infections that could lead to gum disease, peri-implantitis, and implant failure. 

 

What is dental implant treatment in brief?

Dental implants are long-term restorative solutions and replacement teeth that look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. But, you must be a suitable candidate for them to be successful and maintain good oral hygiene for life. Otherwise, you risk implant failure, which would be a waste of time and money. 

 

Are you considering dental implants?

Why not schedule an appointment with No Gaps Dental if you’d like to find out more about dental implants and whether they’re a suitable treatment for you.

Call us on (02) 8806 0227 today.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

References

Tobacco in Australia: Dental Diseases
https://www.tobaccoinaustralia.org.au/chapter-3-health-effects/3-11-dental-diseases

Science Direct – Peri-implantitis
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/peri-implantitis

Dental Economics –  Screwed-up – Implants With Bad Hygiene
https://www.dentaleconomics.com/science-tech/article/14211814/screwed-up-implants-with-bad-hygiene