What exactly are dental implants and what can they do for you?
Implants are the best substitutes for natural teeth offering you a permanent and secure solution for replacing one or more teeth. They are made of biocompatible materials, just the same as hip implants or similar orthopaedic devices, and function as anchors or support for traditional forms of dentistry, such as crowns, bridges or dentures. Many of our patients will tell you that implants have not only improved their smiles, and overall appearance but also their lives!
There are numerous reasons to choose dental implants:
- Aesthetically, they look like real teeth.
- Functionally, dental implants feel and act like real teeth.
- With implants, you can eat and chew again without pain or irritation. Foods that were forbidden are now back in the diet.
- Implants eliminate the need for distasteful adhesives. There is no longer a need to use "glue" when your prosthesis is anchored to implants.
- Implants can actually allow for the improved enjoyment of the textures and flavours of your favourite foods. With less plastic covering the roof of your mouth, you can enjoy natural flavours and sensations again.
- Lastly, implants can help maintain your bone structure and support your facial tissues. They can reduce or eliminate bone atrophy, which causes "shrinkage" or facial cosmetic changes.
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What benefits can I really expect?
- Eat whatever you like! Implants improve your health with the ability to chew a wider variety of foods.
- Smile with confidence. Discoloured or missing teeth ruin your appearance but implant-supported restorations help increase your self-esteem.
- Implants increase the retention and stability of your teeth.
- Improve your external facial structure and decrease the likelihood of continued bone loss.
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Are implants successful?
Implants, as we know them today, have been in existence for at least twenty-five years. For the last ten years, however, success rates at many treatment centres are consistently over 95% with proper personal and professional care. Few forms of medical, orthopaedic or dental treatment have such high success rates. |
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Who does implant dentistry?
Only suitably trained and experienced dentists should be involved with implant dentistry. Implants usually involve two phases of treatment: placement of the implant and its core (abutment) and placement of the crown, bridge or precision attached denture. Some dentists feel they can offer better solutions for you by using the different expertise of other team members, e.g. performing the surgery or the restoration. Other practitioners feel that performing both the surgery and the restoration within one office is optimal for many patients. At Chatswood Dental, we perform every aspect of implant dentistry and combine it with the benefits of Sleep Dentistry (Medically Administered Intravenous Sedation) to maximise patient comfort. |
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Does it hurt?
Usually, discomfort is not a problem. In fact, many have said that having a tooth extracted was more painful! For the placement of an implant(s), we will use one of many anaesthetic regimens so there won't be any discomfort and when you leave the office, you will be given appropriate medications. As the adjacent diagram depicts, in order to ensure your comfort and avoid complications, we carefully analyse your x-rays to ensure that we do not damage important nerves which lie below the implant sites. We are very cautious in avoiding complications for our patients by using very careful surgical techniques. And for that reason, upon your request, we can confidently offer you the contact numbers of other patients who have had implants and who are happy to tell you how they felt after implant therapy. Needless to say, after surgery we are available to you at all times to make sure that you are comfortable. |
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How long will it take?
Recent advances in implant systems have reduced the time for initial implant procedures. Treatment for the simple cases could take anywhere from 2-4 weeks and in more complex cases 6-8 months, based on where the implants are placed and the type of restoration you desire.
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Will I be without teeth?
You will never be without teeth and we will make sure that in the interim period, you look and feel very natural.
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Am I too old?
Implant patients can be in their late teens or be mature adults in their seventies and eighties. Good health and adequate bone are the most critical factors in evaluating implant candidates. Even if health issues exist, by taking the right precautions, nearly every patient is able to receive the benefits of Modern Implant Dentistry in our practice. |
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Is one implant system better than the others?
No. There are many FDA approved implant systems available for your benefit. |
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What will it feel like when it is done?
Once the entire procedure is complete and the final restorations placed, they will actually feel or function like your natural teeth! |
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How do I take care of my implants?
Normal routine home care and professional cleaning visits are required. It is important to know that every 6-12 months, you will need to have a routine cleaning and evaluation. An individualized program will be designed for you to optimally care for your new teeth. |
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Are there alternatives?
After thoroughly examining your needs we will offer you all reasonable alternatives so that we may make a decision together as to what is best for you. |
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When can I get started?
As soon as we have all the necessary information and have made the necessary arrangements for the team members to assist we can commence at the first available appointment, usually within 4-6 weeks.
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Can any licensed dentist(s) legally perform implant surgery or restoration?
Yes. However, education and experience are critical! Before choosing our practice, please feel free to ask any other dentist or dental specialist any questions you may have about his or her training in implant therapy and in-office implant experience. |
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Is it safe to have dental implant surgery performed outside the hospital, in an office-based facility?
Most cases around the world are done this way with complete safety. In our practice, we regularly perform procedures under local anaesthetic or in conjunction with medically administered intravenous sedation without any ill-effects on our patients.
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