Rebuilding Smiles with Dental Implants in Camberwell

Restore the natural appearance and functionality of your mouth. Riversdale Dental offers consultation and installation of dental implants, helping people smile, talk and eat comfortably.

During the 1950s scientists found that titanium could bond to bone. Over fifty years of research later this science has been developed in ways which allow us to take advantage of this exciting discovery with dental implants. Without compromising adjacent healthy teeth, implant supported replacement teeth allow for complete restoration to a confident smile.

The loss of a single tooth can have a significant impact on your overall oral health. Not only is your smile affected but your ability to talk and chew is compromised and the adjacent teeth and gums can become prone to shifting, injury, disease or decay. Using the latest technology, our experienced dentists, will work with you to achieve the most optimal dental health outcome.

Why consider dental implants?

Dental implants are most commonly used in situations where teeth are unable to be saved by conventional means. They can be used to replace single teeth, multiple missing teeth or even all your teeth. While dental implants tend to be more expensive than dental bridges and dentures, there are significant benefits which you should consider and question when discussing options with your dentist. Based near Camberwell Junction we’ve helped many people get their natural smile back. If you’re interested in learning more, speak to our team today.

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The effects of a missing tooth

A missing tooth is no laughing matter, it creates a gap that spoils your smile, it is likely to embarrass you and affect your confidence. And while low self-esteem is serious enough there are other negative consequences if you don’t do something about it:

  • Neighbouring teeth can start tilting into the empty space
  • Your bite can be affected and your ability to chew is reduced
  • Lips and cheeks may collapse towards the space, making you look older
  • The jaw bone may shrink where the tooth is missing

Not every case involving a missing tooth can be solved with an implant. To find out if you are a suitable candidate, a consultation will be necessary.

What are the benefits of an implant?
  • Implants tend to be durable and long-lasting. With good oral hygiene it’s possible to keep an implant for the rest of your life.
  • It’s like having your own teeth, they look and feel completely natural in your mouth
  • They help to keep dentures and bridges secure in your mouth which helps when speaking or eating
  • When a tooth is lost, the bone which was once around that tooth will shrink away. Implants help to maintain the bone in your jaws and therefore the structure and outline of your face
  • Because they are like a natural tooth, no food gets stuck underneath like it can do with a conventional bridge
  • Dental implants can be a good alternative for those who find dentures or bridges uncomfortable, or who are unable to wear dentures due to the shape of their jaw
  • Ordinary bridges require the teeth on either side of the gap to be modified (ground away) so they support their end of the bridge. An advantage of implants is that no adjacent teeth need to be prepared or ground down to hold your new replacement tooth/teeth in place.

From a single tooth to replacing multiple missing teeth, dental implants can help restore your smile and preserve valuable bone.

Is it suitable for you?

Once a decision has been made that an implant will be considered as a treatment option, your dentist will complete a thorough oral examination. He will also evaluate your dental history, examine your x-rays and OPGs and consider other general factors which include your:

  • General health (medical conditions, medicines, age)
  • Habits (smoking, tooth grinding, poor oral hygiene)
  • Jawbone (quantity and quality)

Implants are not for everyone so this is an important conversation you will need to have with your dentist.

What are dental implants?

What we refer to as an implant actually consists of three parts:

  • the implant (fixture, screw)
  • the screw and post (abutment)
  • and a crown.

The implant is a small titanium screw which is inserted or screwed into your jawbone. If you’ve done any home renovating or picture hanging … the implant acts a bit like a wall plug. The titanium implant fuses with the bone to make a new tooth root and a stable platform for your new crown.

The abutment is also a bit like a screw but with a post on top. One end screws down into the implant and the other sits up above your gum ready for your new tooth (the crown) to be attached

The crown is your new tooth which is shaped and coloured to blend seamlessly with your surrounding natural teeth.

Mini Implants

Riversdale Dental also uses state-of-the-art “mini implants”, which as the name suggests are smaller than standard implants but equally effective and long-lasting. Your dentist uses these whenever possible because there is less disruption to tissue and bone, they are cheaper than standard implants and the procedure is much quicker.

The structure of standard and mini implants is the same, both have three parts, they vary only in the distance the implant is inserted into the bone. Mini implants are invaluable if there is not enough bone to support a full implant or if the structure of the face makes a full implant difficult. They have also been used very successfully to hold your dentures in place so they don’t move about.

What are implants made of?

Dental implants are made of titanium and the crowns are usually made of high-grade porcelain fused to precious metals such as gold

What does a Dental Implant Procedure Involve? Will I need time off work?

Standard implant

After you have decided to begin you we will give you a referral either to an Oral Surgeon or Periodontist. These are specialists who specialize in the placement of standard implants and their involvement will give you the greatest chance of a successful fusion between the implant and your jawbone.

They will give you detailed instructions of what is going to happen but generally it is along the lines of:

  • Four appointments
    • With the specialist
      • First: 60-90 minutes. You will feeling bruised and tender afterwards and possibly require the rest of the day off work and some pain relief
      • Second: 30-60 minutes. You can return to work and there’s minimal pain afterward
    • With us
      • Third: 60-90 minutes. You can return to work and we would not expect pain afterwards
      • Fourth: 15-30 minutes. You can return to work and we are not expecting any pain afterward
  • During your first appointment the specialist will insert the implant into your jawline. This first appointment will be between 60-90 minutes after which you will feel bruised and very tender for the rest of the day. Whether you need to whole day off work will depend on your pain tolerance but most people would probably take some time. Paracetamol, or your normal pain control medication, should help you manage the pain but the specialist will advise you here and give you any scripts if necessary.
  • The fusion between bone and implant takes time and so it will be between two to four months before your next appointment.
  • The second appointment will be a review and testing to ensure the implant is securely embedded in the bone. This is typically a 30 minute appointment with no pain afterwards

After the specialist is happy with the implant, you return to us to have the crown made and attached to the top of your implant. This will involve two appointments. Typically patients experience no pain after each appointment

  • This first appointment is between 60-120 minutes long depending on which tooth or teeth are involved. During this time we will check your implant ensuring it is still secure and take impressions and colour matches so we can build a crown which looks and acts like a natural tooth
  • The second appointment is between 15-30 minutes during which the dentist will fit your crown to the abutment, check the fit and colour are good and also inspect your bite is aligned correctly.

Mini implants

Mini implants are completed at our surgery and there is no need for a referral or visit to a specialist. Your dentist will give you detailed instructions of what is going to happen but generally it is along the lines of:

  • Three appointments
    • First: 60-90 minutes. You will feeling bruised and tender afterwards and possibly require the rest of the day off work and some pain relief
    • Second: 60-90 minutes. You can return to work and there’s minimal pain afterward
    • Third: 15-30 minutes You can return to work, we are not expecting any pain afterward
  • During your first appointment, your dentist will insert the mini implant into your jawline. This first appointment will be between 60-90 minutes after which you will feel bruised and very tender for the rest of the day. Whether you need to whole day off work will depend on your pain tolerance but most people would probably take some time. Paracetamol, or your normal pain control medication, should help you manage the pain. Avoid taking any aspirin products as they may increase the effects of bruising
  • After a mini implant, we usually wait up to four weeks for the bone and titanium implant to fuse together providing the strong base necessary for the crown attachment. In some cases it is possible to insert the abutment straight away but it is better to wait and allow the bone to heal without the pressure of you chewing dinner! Waiting increases the chances of a successful implant
  • During your second appointment (60-90 minutes) your dentist will check your implant, ensuring it is still secure, take impressions and match colours so he can build a crown for the top of your implant which blends seamlessly with your natural teeth
  • The third appointment is between 15-30 minutes during which your dentist will fit your crown to the abutment, check the fit and colour are good and also inspect your bite is aligned correctly.

Whether an implant is possible and if so, whether it should be a standard or a mini is a discussion between you and your dentist. There are many factors involved which must be considered

How to care for dental implants?

Care of your dental implant is just like that of your other teeth

  • Regular brushing
  • Regular flossing
  • Regular visits to the dentist for professional scale and cleans and to ensure the implant remains healthy
How to help ensure the successful take of your implant
    • Practice good oral hygiene – brush twice a day and floss once daily. Using interdental brushes, brushes that slide between teeth, can help clean the hard to reach areas around your implant.
    • Quit smoking – smoking can weaken the bone structure and can contribute to implant failure.
    • Visit your dentist – cleanings and exams every six months can help ensure your implant is in good condition, and that it stays that way.
    • Avoid chewing on hard foods such as ice, betel nuts and hard candy because they can break the crown and your natural teeth.
Habits that can hinder implant success
        • Smoking: Smokers have a higher risk of implant failure. If you do smoke consider stopping for one week prior to your first appointment, stopping for the entire treatment length and not resuming until eight weeks after the placement of the crown
        • Grinding: The excessive forces being generated can contribute to tooth implant failure. This can be easily controlled by wearing a mouth guard appliance that can help to lessen its effects
        • Poor oral home care. If bacteria are allowed to accumulate in the gum tissue surrounding an implant, their presence can lead to an inflammatory response which if left untreated may lead to a loss of supporting bone and ultimately implant failure.
Things to be aware of
        • Implants are usually more expensive than other methods of tooth replacement and insurers will vary in how much they cover. Check with your fund about cover. If you are not happy with their response lodge a complaint at www.time2switch.com.au
        • Meticulous oral hygiene and regular dental visits are critical to the long-term success of dental implants. Commit to keeping your gums and teeth healthy.
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