Losing a tooth can have both a physical and psychological effect on you. TFI Dentistry at Thornlands in Brisbane and at Labrador on the Gold Coast can help restore your smile with dental implants, and put you on the path to a beautiful smile.
What is a dental implant?
For a long time, if you lost a tooth, your only options for treatment were bridges and removable dentures. But thanks to advancements in modern dentistry, you can now replace your missing tooth with a fixed dental implant.
Basically dental implants replace the roots of your lost tooth so that a new “tooth” can be attached and fill the gap where your old tooth was, restoring the look and functionality of your mouth.
Because dental implants are made to perfectly match your existing natural teeth, and are designed to fuse with the bone, they can blend seamlessly with your existing teeth, allowing you the freedom to get on with your life. Best of all, most people will never know that you have a replacement tooth.
What is involved in getting a dental implant?
Once you’ve been assessed as a suitable recipient of a dental implant, your TFI Dentistry practitioner will create a treatment plan to perfectly suit the needs of your teeth. This will vary from person to person depending on your unique circumstances.
The first step in adding a dental implant to your mouth is the root implant. This small titanium post will be implanted into the jawbone in place of your missing tooth. Your jawbone will then need to heal and grow around this post before any further work can be done; this may take anywhere from about six weeks up to six months. Because the post is made of titanium, it is able to integrate into your bone without being perceived as a foreign object by the body.
After the bone has healed and the post is securely implanted into the jawbone, another smaller post will be added to the “root” so that a newly created tooth, also known as a crown, can be securely attached. This replacement tooth will be created from a model taken of your mouth so it perfectly suits your bite and matches the colour of your natural teeth.
Do dental implants hurt?
As you will generally be under local anesthetic when your implant is added to your mouth, you should not experience too much discomfort. Many people say it’s less painful than a tooth extraction. You should be able to manage any pain after the anesthetic has worn off with over-the-counter pain medications, but should the pain become unmanageable, it’s important you contact your dentist.
How long will a dental implant last?
The longevity of your dental implant will depend on many factors including your dental hygiene and your overall health. With proper care, your dental implant should last you for many years to come. Dental implants require the same care and maintenance as your regular teeth, so it’s essential that you continue to brush and floss daily, as well as attend regular dental check-ups with your TFI Dentistry practitioner to ensure your implant procedure is successful, and your smile remains healthy.
How are dental implants better than other options?
Because dental implants are fixed inside your mouth and fuse with the bone, they become permanent and blend perfectly with your natural teeth. Unlike removable dentures, which can slip in your mouth and often require messy adhesives, dental implants give you peace of mind that you can talk without slurring your words. You’ll also find that chewing your food with a dental implant is far easier than with removable dentures as they become a part of you.
Can anyone get a dental implant?
While not everybody will be a suitable candidate for a dental implant, provided you have healthy gums and enough bone to hold the implant, there’s a high likelihood you will be. Your TFI Dentistry practitioner at our Gold Coast and Thornlands practices will be able to assess your suitability for implants.
I want a dental implant. What should I do?
Book in to see your TFI Dentistry practitioner at our Gold Coast or Thornlands practice today to identify if dental implants are a suitable option for you. Your practitioner will discuss a treatment plan and costs with you, and you will then be referred to a trusted specialist who will place the dental implant. Once the implant post has fused with your jawbone and healed, your TFI Dentistry practitioner will proceed with attaching the necessary restoration.
