Dental Implants
Do You Have a Missing Tooth or Teeth?
At Restore we understand that tooth loss can have a major impact on your chewing function, appearance and comfort.
Dental implants are perhaps the most significant innovation in modern dentistry. A single tooth can be replaced by an individual titanium implant and fixed crown, while multiple missing teeth can be replaced by two or more implants. A full arch of teeth can be replaced using 4-6 implants. In addition to fixed replacement options, implants can be used to support and retain partial or complete dentures offering much improved comfort and stability.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a highly pure titanium fixture, inserted into the jaw with a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Its biocompatibility is such that the bone heals onto the implant surface and it becomes securely fixed in place (a process known as osseointegration). Once stable, it functions much like a natural tooth root and can be used to support a restoration such as a crown, bridge or denture.
How Successful is Implant Treatment?
Implant integration with the bone is one of the most predictable treatments in modern medicine. With good case selection, over 95% of dental implants successfully integrate. When restored with fixed crowns or short span bridges, over 90% of implants and the restorations last for 10 years or more.
Success rates can be affected by smoking, previous gum disease and medical issues such as poorly controlled diabetes, some medications and radiation treatment. Good home care and regular professional maintenance are essential to achieve the best long-term results.
The experience of the dental team is another important factor in implant success. Our Prosthodontists have been placing and restoring implants for 20 years and keep up to date with the latest techniques by attending local and international courses and meetings. In order to deliver the best possible results, we use evidence based, modern techniques, quality materials and all or our prosthodontic work is custom made in a local laboratory by a skilled team of technicians.
Is Implant Treatment Suitable for Everyone?
To be suitable for implant treatment, you need to be in satisfactory general health, have good gum health and the remainder of your natural teeth must be stable and well maintained. There must be adequate bone in the proposed site to allow the implant to be secured. If the bone volume is inadequate, bone grafting can often be carried out to augment the site and allow successful implant placement. If implant treatment isn’t the right treatment for you, we will consider the alternatives including bridgework or a removable denture.
How Long Does the Process Take?
In carefully selected cases, dental implants can be placed immediately after a tooth is extracted. Some can even have a fixed provisional restoration placed on the same day. Alternatively, in the more conventional approach, placement occurs 6-12 weeks after the tooth is removed. In the meantime, a temporary denture or bridge maintains aesthetics and function. Implants become integrated over a period of 3-4 months and are then ready for the definitive restoration. In most cases, the process from extraction to final restoration takes 4-6 months (though this may be up to a year if your case is particularly complex).
Long Term Maintenance
Well maintained dental implants and the restorations they support can last for decades. Daily home care and regular professional maintenance are essential to minimize the risk of complications. The Restore team, which includes our hygienist, general dentists and Prosthodontists are experienced in helping you maintain your implant retained restorations. Our specialists also have vast experience in managing and replacing old implant supported restorations.
Make an appointment with Restore Dental & Prosthodontics today!
If you’re looking to book an appointment with us, please call reception on 07 3483 2000, e-mail reception@restoredental.com.au or by using our online form, and one of our team will be in touch shortly.