Most people assume that a dental implant is used to replace a missing tooth on a one-for-one basis only, but this isn’t always the case. Dental implants, or rather, implant-based restorations, are in fact multifunctional and are able to replace:
- A single tooth
- Several consecutive teeth or
- An entire arch of teeth
Utilising a series of fixed prostheses, one or more dental implants can be positioned to act as a support for an implant-supported bridge, a removable overdenture, or a permanently fixed appliance. For most, being fitted with dental implants in Sydney means that they have a permanent hassle-free smile that they can be proud of.
As such, dental implants can be a smart choice for adults of all ages. Whether you are born without a tooth or teeth (a condition known as hypodontia) or have had teeth removed due to injury, decay or infection, dental implants offer the ideal, permanent solution. Moreover, they have four main advantages over their conventional denture and bridge counterparts
- Firstly, you’ll look and feel great
Modern dental implants are designed to look, feel, fit and function just like your healthy natural teeth. You don’t need to remove them for cleaning and no special cleaning routine is required. Instead, simply brush and floss, just like you would your normal teeth. As such, you don’t even have to think about them. Furthermore, they help to retain the natural shape of the face.
- Dental implants are made to last
Provided they are properly cared for, dental implants can last for many years. Other more conventional options like dentures and bridges, need to be replaced every 5-10 years. This requires a significant investment in terms of both costs and dental visits.
Conversely, when a patient undergoes a dental implant rehabilitation, they should remain comfortably in the mouth for decades. In fact, the very first dental implants to be placed into a human patient occurred in 1965. Those same restorations were still functioning in 2006, some 40 years later!
- A dental implant can halt the bone resorption process
There are many downsides to a missing tooth or teeth, but perhaps one of the biggest problems is jawbone deterioration. When a tooth is missing, the bone tissue that once supported it is no longer needed. As such, it gets reabsorbed back into the body in a process known as resorption.
This process continues long after the tooth is lost, and over a relatively short period of time, it will alter the shape of the jaw, causing you to appear older.
When a dental implant is anchored into the jaw, it tricks the remaining bone tissue into thinking that a tooth root is present. As such, the bone tissue is re-stimulated and therefore won’t reabsorb. Unlike conventional denture and bridges, a dental implant is the only restoration that can achieve this biological feat.
- You can live with confidence
Once in place, dental implants are permanently secure. So unlike dentures, they aren’t prone to embarrassing denture slippage when you talk or eat. In addition, their strength gives you the ability to bite and chew with confidence while your speech will appear more natural. Ultimately, dental implants can restore confidence allowing you to live your life without hindrance, as you see fit.
So, we’ve talked about what a dental implant is and how they can help. But there is something that we haven’t addressed – the ‘elephant in the room’ if you like – and that’s the dental implants cost! Sydney CBD residents considering undergoing dental implant surgery might already be aware of the high prices. So this begs the question…