Losing all of your teeth can be hugely traumatic, impacting every avenue of life, from the way you eat to your social life. A gummy mouth will not only affect the way you feel about yourself but also leads to bone loss.
Implants are common for tooth restoration, with millions undergoing tooth implant surgery every year.
So what are dental implants in Melbourne? Read on below to learn about this potentially life-changing prosthesis.
What is an implant?
An implant is a tiny screw that practitioner drills into the jawbone to replace the root of your missing tooth. The piece is made from titanium, a type of metal that the body recognizes as tissue, and not a foreign material that needs to be rejected.
The above was discovered by an orthopedic surgeon decades ago and has since been used in various surgeries to integrate metal with bone. The official term for this biological process is called osseointegration.
Implant procedures rely on osseointegration to fuse the bone and metal together so that the implant becomes part of the mouth. Once fully healed, a crown is connected to the metal and is firmly held in place.
Are dental implants in Melbourne expensive?
Dental implants are known to be more expensive than other types of artificial teeth, such as dentures and bridges. But people need to take into account the lifelong benefits of having implants – they can last forever and look and function like real teeth.
There is “no one size fits all” when it comes to implants – it all depends on the extent of your teeth loss. A standard implant is suitable for people who have had one or a few teeth knocked out while All-on-4 or implant-supported dentures might be more cost-effective for someone who needs to replace multiple pearly whites or an entire set.
Are implants painful?
Every experience varies from patient-to-patient, but you should feel minimal pain or discomfort during the surgery because of anesthetic that is used. You might feel some soreness afterwards. Your dental practitioner should prepare you for this by providing you with some pain relievers.
Does an implant look and feel fake?
People are often amazed by how real their implants feel, despite being a fake tooth.
The metal post that functions as an artificial root, not only assists with chewing, eating and talking, but also helps to regenerate bone loss caused by absent teeth.
Does my new tooth need special treatment?
You will not need to incorporate specialized techniques into your cleaning habits – brush as you usually would, twice a day for two to three minutes a day, followed by vigorous flossing.
People sometimes make the mistake of neglecting their new tooth, knowing its made from robust materials – this is a mistake. Not brushing in and around your new tooth may result in plaque build-up, which, in turn, leads to gingivitis. A gum disease of this sort could result in your implant failing over time.
Have you lost teeth in an accident, or are you looking to upgrade your current set of dentures? Talk to your local dentist about implants.
