Dental implants can help to protect your oral health and maintain a well-aligned bite as well as restore your smile.
They’re increasingly common in Australia but you may not know much about them. In fact, you probably can’t tell which of your friends has a dental implant because they’re carefully created to blend in with the rest of your smile for a natural appearance.
So, here are some of the questions we’re often asked about dental implants.
What are dental implants?
A dental implant creates an artificial tooth on top of an artificial tooth root. Dental implants are made of biocompatible, hypoallergenic materials that encourage new bone growth. Over time, these artificial teeth fully integrate with your bite and become a permanent part of your smile.
Why might you need a dental implant?
For both cosmetic and health reasons, you might need a dental implant when a tooth has died leaving a gap in your mouth.
Teeth die when they lose blood supply. That can happen due to:
- Decay – often caused by excess sugar, poor oral hygiene, smoking or gum disease
- Trauma – sports accidents, punches and other events that knock out teeth.
Missing teeth don’t only affect your smile. Each tooth helps to hold neighbouring teeth in place. When a tooth is missing, it can cause bone shrinkage and create gaps that cause other teeth to tilt inwards.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants are a lasting solution. With proper maintenance, a dental implant can potentially last for the rest of your life.
How long does a dental implant procedure take?
Dental implants may involve a series of small procedures over few months. The process may involve:
- A CT scan or cone beam scan
- Bone grafting or sinus lifts if needed
- Tooth removal
- Implant testing and restoration
What’s osseointegration?
This is what happens after the implant procedure. Osseointegration is the process of your jawbone fusing with the titanium rod implant (the artificial tooth root). This can take around 3 to 6 months.
Are dental implants painful?
You’ll be given a local or anaesthetic during each procedure. You may feel some tugging and discomfort but not pain.
After the anaesthesia wears off, you may experience swelling, bruising and pain. We’ll give you advice on how to manage this.
How much are dental implants?
It varies a great deal depending on your clinical needs, and your private health insurance cover. Generally, though, you’re probably looking at a few thousand dollars at least.
Informed financial consent is important. We will provide you with a detailed quote, including item numbers so you can check your health insurance cover and gain a full picture of your out-of-pocket costs before you decide to proceed.
At Lillybrook Dental, we’re pleased to offer dental payment plans to ease the cost of treatment so you can smile now and pay later.
You may also be able to access money from your superannuation fund to cover the costs of dental implants.
Are there any alternatives to dental implants?
Yes…but there’s nothing quite as good. Dental implants are the gold standard.
The alternatives to dental implants are to:
- Do nothing – but that leaves you at risk of degeneration and bite alignment problems
- Get dentures – but these are likely to be less comfortable and less stable. They’ll also need to be regularly adjusted and cleaned
- Crowns and Bridges- which require reduction of adjacent teeth to receive the crown
How do you know if a dental implant is the right choice?
At Lillybrook Dental, we find a way to ensure that we can give you the confidence to show your smile to the world.
If you have a dead, dying or missing tooth, we’ll evaluate its impact on your oral health and recommend a way forward. We’d love to help you.
*All information is general and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Lillybrook Dental can consult with you to confirm which treatment is right for you.
