Implants

Please view the Implants animation below:

Dental Implants

Are you missing one or more teeth? Or do you have difficulty eating certain foods or speaking clearly due to tooth loss? Do you suffer from the discomfort of ill-fitting dentures?

If so, dental implants may be the solution for you.

Implants can replace a single tooth, several teeth or all of the teeth.Dental implants help to support replacement teeth that look, feel and function like your natural teeth.

They are made of Titanium, a metal well-accepted by the body and one that can form a strong bond.

A dental implant is a small screw that essentially acts as a substitute for a natural root and commonly it is screw or cylinder shaped. Each implant is placed into a socket carefully drilled at the precise location of the intended tooth.

In order to support replacement teeth, dental implants normally have some form of internal screw thread or post space that allows a variety of components to be fitted. Once fitted, these components provide the foundation for long term support of crowns, bridges or dentures.

Some of the benefits of Dental implants are:

 - Dental implants look, feel and function like your own teeth

- Healthy teeth do not need to be ground down to support dental implants

- Anchoring dental implants in the jawbone stimulates bone tissue and gums while helping to maintain facial      structures

- Last but not least; you get a tooth replacement.

Maintenance and care of the Implants

- Implants require regular maintenance and oral hygiene must be kept to a high standard to avoid risk of inflammation around the Implant resulting in Implantitis. If this occurs, the Implant will be lost. A new implant can only be placed in the same space if there is sufficient bone.

- The implants should be maintained by, tooth brushing, dental floss and Tee Pees as demonstrated to you.

- The hygienist will use plastic scalers around the implant crowns.

Potential Risks to the Implant, Crown and Abutment (post)

- In the event a crown is de-cemented on the abutment (post) it must be cemented with temporary cement (TEMP BOND). The crown may have to be re-cemented frequently. The screw in the crown can come loose requiring tightening.

- The Implant may fracture requiring removal of the Implant remains.

- The screw inside the Implant may fracture, this will require removal and placement of a new screw.

Unsuitability for Dental Implants:

- Implants are not suitable for smokers or patients with Osteoporosis, diabetes or on certain medications due to a higher incidence of failure of the implant to integrate with the bone.

Speak with your dentist for further information or if you have any questions regarding implants