Dental Implants
What are the advantages of dental implants?
Dental implants cost more than dentures or a dental bridge, but they have unique advantages. Reasons to consider dental implants are:
- They feel and function more like natural teeth
- They can stand up to greater biting pressure than dentures
- They support the jaw bone to prevent bone loss
- They don't usually require special cleaning products
- You don't need to give up certain foods
Once an implant has successfully bonded with your jaw, it can be a permanent replacement for a missing tooth root. The bridge or denture attached to the implant may need to be replaced after a number of years.
Who is suitable for implants?
Dental implants can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth or all of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. To be a candidate for implants, you should have good oral health and your jaw should be large enough to support the implant.
We can tell you whether you're suitable for implants during your initial examination with our dentists. If you have a small jaw, you may be eligible following a bone graft procedure.
How are dental implants fitted?
Placing dental implants can involve several appointments and minor surgery. We will administer local anaesthesia or other sedation to make sure you don't feel pain during the procedure.
After taking x-rays of your mouth and planning your treatment, our dentists will make an incision in your gum and insert the implant or implants into your jaw bone.
Once the implant is secure in your jaw, it will fuse with the jaw bone over several months. When this bonding is complete, the implant is uncovered and connected to a small metal post that secures and supports an artificial tooth or teeth.
Implants can be covered by a crown, a fixed bridge or full or partial dentures to replace as many missing teeth as needed.