It’s true that while one of the disadvantages of dental implants is the initial outlay, they’re way more than ‘just another missing tooth replacement.’ For example a titanium tooth implant has the ability to attract bone tissue and fuse with it. In doing so, titanium tooth implants can halt the bone shrinkage process that occurs when a tooth goes missing. This is the only form of tooth replacement that can do this and it can leave you looking years younger.
When dental implants are anchored into the jaw bone and bone fusion occurs, they create a super-strong platform upon which a series of dental crowns, dental bridges, or dentures can be attached. More importantly, because they happen to be very strong they can outlast any other form of missing tooth replacement, including conventional dentures and bridges, by a long period of time.
You may have heard that not everyone is eligible for implant-based restorations and this is what the first evaluation is about. During the meeting our team will talk to you about any medical conditions you may have had such as heart trouble, diabetes, or certain cancers. We’ll also talk to you about your lifestyle habits such as smoking or excessive drinking because these too will have an impact on how successful your dental implants will be.
We might at this stage decide that it’s too much of a risk for you to undergo dental implants in order to enhance your smile and instead, we may suggest that you quit smoking for the duration of the treatment at least. Alternatively, if this isn’t an option we can look at other treatments for missing teeth like partial or full dentures which don’t require surgery.
Once you’re happy and have been given the green light, the team here at Ava Maria Dental will need you to come in for a second consultation. This will involve taking a series of X-rays and 3D scans to see a cross section of your mouth.
We might at this stage decide that it’s too much of a risk for you to undergo dental implants in order to enhance your smile and instead, we may suggest that you quit smoking for the duration of the treatment at least. Alternatively, if this isn’t an option we can look at other treatments for missing teeth like partial or full dentures which don’t require surgery.
On the day of your dental implant surgery you’ll be given a sedative to make you feel relaxed, and the length of your surgery will be determined by whether you undergo a single tooth implant, multiple dental implants, or, how complicated the procedure is. Typically though, the whole process should take around 1-2 hours.
In addition. you may be surprised to know that even though the procedure involves drilling down into the jaw bone and anchoring the implant into position, it’s totally pain free! Once the implant is in place, that’s it for the time being – you’re good to go!
The next stage of this amazing process is recovery. Remember you’ve had some pretty invasive treatment and although some people do manage to return back to work the next day or so, many others will need to take a few days to rest and recover.
So what might you experience?
You may have some slight swelling and/or bruising after being fitted with dental implants. In addition you might feel a little tender in the implant area. Don’t worry, this is perfectly normal so you’ll probably be on soft foods for the first few days until you can gradually re-introduce other foods.
Further more, any swelling or bruising can normally be brought under control within a few days using a combination of hot and cold compresses. The good news is that our team will give you clear instructions on what you need to do to ensure a speedy recovery.
Finally, don’t forget that all the time you’re recovering, your dental implants are working with the surrounding bone tissue as they start to fuse together. After 4-8 weeks this process is normally complete.
If you’re having dental implants in one day, then the abutment and crown are fitted at the same time your implants are placed. However with a conventional dental implant procedure, a second smaller surgical procedure is needed. This time, the implant is once again uncovered from beneath the gum line and the abutment is fitted. The abutment is used to connect the dental crown with the implant, and also acts as a shock absorber, dissipating any bite force evenly throughout the implant and down through the jaw.
Finally, somewhere between 5-9 months after the process started, the temporary crown is replaced by the permanent crown, leaving you with a life-like missing tooth replacement which is second to none.
Congratulations! That’s the process over … or is it?
Well… not quite!
During the first few months after the dental implant transformation, our team of dental implant professionals will want to keep a close eye on you to ensure that there are no signs of problems and that things are running smoothly. Also in addition we need to ensure that you are fulfilling your end of the bargain by maintaining good standards of oral hygiene including regular brushing and flossing.
While dental implants are super strong by comparison to say dentures, they can fall foul of bacteria which, if it is allowed to take hold, will cause the implant to fail. Therefore taking proper and thorough care of your dental implants is a commitment for the rest of your life. That is if you want them to outlive you of course!
At Ava Maria Dental you really can have the smile you always dreamed of with our range of payment plans/options, making affordable dental implants a distinct possibility. To find out more about how implant-based restorations can improve your smile, your confidence, and your overall health, contact us on (03) 8790 2500 today and take the first steps towards obtaining that all important happy, healthy smile you’ve been dreaming of.
We prefer Medibank, HCF, Smile.com and NIB.
Along with insurance, we accept cash, credit card and financing (Mysmileplan).
Ava Maria Dental has convenient parking on-site, so you can just drive straight in!
