According to some studies, oral health problems are directly related to negative emotions.
The worst type of outcome with regards to mental health? Tooth loss.
Just put yourself in their shoes. Lose a tooth, and you might also:
- Feel anxious about losing more
- Struggle to enjoy your favourite foods
- Feel self-conscious about your appearance
- Worry about making a bad impression
While dentures and bridgework can be a viable solution and are sometimes appropriate, they are no longer your only option.
Join our Armadale dentists as we explain how dental implants can help you preserve that bright smile!
What are dental implants?
So you’ve lost a tooth. Maybe it was knocked out during competitive sport. Alternatively, you’ve had to have a tooth removed as a consequence of an infection (all the more reason to keep up to date with your dental hygiene and check ups).
So you wish to replace it!
Dental implants are a state-of-the-art option these days that replace a tooth with an implant supported cap or crown, commonly employed when that missing tooth is surrounded by healthy undamaged teeth.
Over the past years however, dental implants have gone from one of the most expensive dental treatments to one being accessible to more patients than ever before!
Dental implants are replacements for your missing teeth. Unlike dentures or bridgework, implants are attached directly to your jaw bone for a considerably stronger, permanent solution.
If you ask our dentist in Armadale, this is the ultimate form of cosmetic dentistry. Not only does it look like the real deal, but it’s also equally as tough and durable too – you’ll have a strong tooth or teeth, for life.
Dental implants may be used to replace tooth loss arising from:
- Physical injury or trauma
- Tooth decay and cavities
- Advanced gum disease
- Wear and tear and age
Basically, any case that involves losing a tooth!
How long will dental implants last?
Following your procedure, our dentists in Armadale will prescribe a customised dental hygiene plan.
This plan will minimise the chance of infection and help you keep your new dental implant clean and healthy for years to come.
There are certain post procedure things you must do for a few days after the placement procedure, but these things are very simple and straightforward. By and large, you will be able to take care of the implant supported crowns/caps as you would for natural teeth.
How do dental implants work?
So now you know what dental implants are used for – but what about the process itself?
Unlike other cosmetic dental procedures, dental implants aren’t a once-and-done procedure.
Rather, they require a multistage process that requires several appointments with a cosmetic dentist in Armadale.
Step 1: Dental implant preparation
At our practice in Armadale, our Doctor has had advanced training, and can “marry” digital models with your CT scan to create a customized snap-on appliance that allows a “keyhole” procedure that is accurate to a fraction of a tenth of a millimeter.
This keyhole procedure is incredibly safe, and will leave you as a patient with an almost painless experience, both during and post procedure. You will not have to worry about bleeding, or the implant placed in exactly the wrong place.
The implant is made from titanium and is tailor-chosen to fit the space of the missing tooth, and when restored may give a perfect replacement of the missing tooth and supporting gum.
Over the coming weeks, your dental implants will bond with your jawbone through a process known as osseointegration.
While it can take weeks for the dental implant to bond with the bone, the end result is a lasting and robust foundation for your new tooth.
Step 2: Abutment bonding
Once the dental implant has been securely bonded to your jawbone, an abutment is inserted into the implant.
Essentially, the abutment serves as the connector between the implant itself and the ceramic crown that will eventually replace your missing tooth.
It’s important to note that there are many different types of abutments out there, depending on the tooth that’s being replaced.
The abutment is always custom made
- Taller or shorter to fit your mouth
- Different materials to accommodate for metal allergies
- Different angles to fit different teeth
Our cosmetic dentist in Armadale has advanced training. This allows us to provide the latest in state-of-the-art implant placement, using conservative, accurate systems and technology to quickly and safely place perfectly chosen and planned implants.
Keyhole techniques are almost painless both during and after placement, and provide an amazing result!
Step 3: Artificial teeth connection
Finally, the last step: it’s time for the tooth itself!
Made of strong porcelain or ceramic, the replacement crown is connected to the abutment or connector. Each one is custom-fitted to match your bite, as well as the shape and size of your mouth.
Once the procedure is over, you won’t even be able to tell you ever lost a tooth to begin with!
Are dental implants painful?
Some patients pass on the idea of going through dental implant procedure out of a misinformed belief that it’s a painful dental procedure.
Luckily for you, in the vast majority of cases, the procedure itself will not hurt at all!
Just as with a filling or other dental procedures, your Armadale dentist will anaesthetise the area – you won’t feel a thing.
In fact, many of our patients are back at work or school on the same day with nothing more than some mild pain relief. In many cases, patients don’t even need that!
Of course, as with all cases, it will vary between patients.
In our experience however, most of our patients tell us that it actually hurt a lot less than they expected it to.
Questions? Talk to a cosmetic dentist in Armadale today!
Losing a tooth doesn’t mean losing your beautiful smile!
With careful planning, the extraction can be planned so that the supporting bone and gum is preserved. If this is planned properly, the implant process can be enhanced and made even better.
If you’re already missing the tooth however, there are simple, painless techniques that will work well to restore the tooth using our implant techniques.
Our cosmetic dentist in Armadale is dedicated to keeping you smiling with cutting-edge dental implants in Armadale that improve the look and function of your teeth.
For long-lasting, durable replacements for your missing teeth, contact us today by calling (03) 9509 1500 or filling in this form.
Alternatively, you can book your appointment online!
