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Implants can help you restore your smile, improve your health and prevent bone loss. They replace missing teeth without changing the shape of your jawbone or affecting surrounding healthy teeth.
Dental implants are made of metal posts and artificial teeth (crowns). Your oral surgeon places the post in the bone and lets it heal, or osseointegrate.
What is an Implant?
An implant is a replacement tooth root that is surgically inserted into the jawbone. The bone heals around the implant, making it strong and stable.
A dentist may suggest implants as an alternative to dentures or bridges for patients who are missing a single tooth, several teeth or all of their teeth.
Dental implants are a safe and highly successful treatment, with between 85% and 90% success rates. They also help protect your adjacent teeth and prevent gum disease.
How is an Implant Placed?
In order to place an implant, the dentist first needs to make a small cut in the gums. After local anesthesia, the doctor then drills a hole into the jaw bone.
Then, a titanium screw is inserted into the hole. Depending on the condition of the bone, it may take up to several months for the screw to fully integrate with the bone. After the procedure, a healing cap is placed on top of the screw to promote healing.
What are the Implants Made of?
Dental implants are small pieces of metal that are surgically inserted into your jawbone. They act like tooth roots and help hold crowns, bridges, or full dentures in place.
The most common material for dental implants is titanium, which fuses permanently with bone tissue. It’s also highly durable and resistant to corrosion and fracturing.
Other options for dental implants include stainless steel, gold alloys, and cobalt-chromium. These alternative materials have lower success rates than titanium and zirconia, but they can still be used in some cases.
How Long Will an Implant Take to Place?
Generally, it takes about a month after the implant is placed for it to fuse with your jaw bone (osseointegration). This is essential for the tooth replacements to be stable and long lasting.
However, there are other factors that may make the whole process take a little longer. These are often discussed during your consultation with the dentist.
Firstly, if you have any pre-treatment surgeries like a bone graft or a tooth extraction then these will need to heal first. These are time consuming procedures that can extend the timeline of your All On 4 Clinic Melbourne.
How Long Will an Implant Take to Heal?
When you undergo dental implant treatment, it’s important to know how long it will take for the tooth implants to heal properly. It typically takes 3-6 months for the bone to integrate with the implant, a process that is critical to ensuring your replacement teeth last a lifetime.
During this time, you’ll see some swelling and bruising in your mouth. This is normal and will only get worse during the initial healing period, which usually lasts about a week or so.
What are the Complications of Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a great option for patients who want to replace missing teeth or anchor a full set of dentures. They are durable, provide a comfortable bite and help prevent bone loss in the surrounding jawbone.
But like any surgery, dental implant treatment can cause problems. These problems can happen shortly after the procedure or years later.
Some complications can be avoided by following your dentist’s instructions for caring for your implants. They include avoiding chewing on hard foods, not smoking and keeping your gums clean.
Other complications can occur if the dental surgeon inserts the implant too close to a nerve or protrudes it into the sinus cavity. This can cause numbness, tingling or pain in the face, tongue and jaw.