A significant percentage of the population have one or more missing teeth and it is estimated that more than a quarter of Australians over the age of 74 have lost all of their natural teeth. There are many different options to replace missing teeth but dental implants Melbourne are one of the most popular methods amongst patients and dentists alike. Over the last two or three decades dental implants Melbourne have become the gold standard in tooth replacement. Much research and development has been carried out in the field of dental implants and modern dental implants Melbourne are composed of titanium which has high mechanical strength and is biocompatible making it the ideal choice for replacing missing teeth.
Grafting
There are many different steps to dental implant surgery. To begin with you need to visit the dentist to find out if dental implants Melbourne are the most suitable option for replacing your missing teeth. To be eligible for dental implants Melbourne you need to have healthy gums and sufficient healthy bone to hold the implant in place. Some patients require gum or bone grafting before they can undergo dental implant surgery. Grafting involves taking tissue from another part of the body and replacing or restoring the original gum or bone. This process may be carried out a few weeks prior to dental implant surgery to allow successful healing.
Dental implant surgery
Once your dentist is happy that you are ready to undergo dental implant surgery you will be booked in for an appointment. You will be given a local anaesthetic and you will be offered various forms of sedation to help you relax further.
Osseointegration
Once you are ready for the procedure a small hole is drilled into the site of tooth loss. The implant is then placed directly into the hole which begins the process of osseointegration. Over the next 4 to 6-months, bone cells form around the implant so that it is held firmly in place. During this time you visit the dentist and make sure that the process is coming along successfully.
Replacing your missing teeth
Once your dentist is happy that the implant is embedded into your mouth you will be given an abutment which is attached to the dental implant. This abutment is the connection between the dental implant and your choice of dental prosthetics. An impression of your mouth will be used to create a prosthetic that is individually tailored for you. This may be a crown, a bridge or a set of dentures and this depends on your dental requirements and your preferences. With those who have a full mouth of missing teeth this can be a long time to wait for replacing their tooth and your dentist will talk about same day dentures. These are a temporary solution to replacing your missing teeth and once your dental implants are embedded in place you can replace them with a permanent set of dental implant retained dentures which not only restore the appearance of your smile but also the health and function of your mouth. Speak to your dentist today and find out her dental implants can transform your life.
DISCLAIMER
All treatments carry risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.
