The ideal candidate for dental implant surgery is in good health and has enough jawbone to support the restoration.
If you have lost one or more teeth and would like to restore the appearance and function of your smile, you might benefit from dental implant surgery. Dental implants are screws that are placed directly into the jawbone to replace the roots of a missing tooth. Once an implant has been placed, a custom dental crown will be attached to achieve a natural-looking appearance. But how do you know if you are a suitable candidate for the treatment? Read on to find out who is best suited to dental implant surgery, and what the process involves…
Who is suited to treatment?
If you are considering a dental implant, we recommend that you are in good general and oral health. It is also important that you have enough healthy jawbone to support an implant. A strong jaw will ensure the strength and stability of your implant and prevent your restoration from becoming loose over time.
Good oral hygiene is also an important factor when it comes to enjoying a successful implant treatment. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, and seeing your dentist for regular check-up and cleans.
Suitable candidates for dental implant surgery are also individuals who do not smoke. Smoking can negatively affect the healing process and increase the risk of infection and implant failure.
What does the process involve?
If you choose to have an implant placed, your dentist will begin by evaluating your teeth, gums and jawbone. They will confirm that you have enough healthy jawbone to support an implant before going further with treatment. If you don’t have adequate jawbone, they may recommend that you have a bone graft procedure first.
When you are ready to begin treatment, your dentist will make an incision in your gum in order to expose the jawbone. They will then surgically insert a screw into your jawbone. Over time, the implant will fuse with the jawbone in a process known as osseointegration. This process can take between two and six months, during which time your jawbone will grow around the implant to keep it securely in place.
Once your jawbone has strengthened and healed, a component called an abutment will be attached to the implant. A prosthetic tooth is then attached to the abutment to achieve a natural-looking aesthetic. Your artificial tooth will look and feel just like a natural tooth and you will enjoy fully restored oral function.
How can we help?
If you are considering dental implants, we encourage you to come in and see us for a consultation so that we confirm whether or not you are a suitable candidate for treatment. At Blue Star Dental, we offer complimentary consultations in which you will have the opportunity to learn more about your restoration options, as well as the benefits of the treatment.
If you are a suitable candidate for dental implant surgery and you choose to go ahead with the treatment, you will need to come in for a diagnostic consultation. During this appointment, we will take photographs, x-rays and a Cone Beam 3D scan in order to customise a treatment plan for you. The density of your jawbone, as well as the extent of your tooth loss, will determine the type of treatment that is right for you. In some cases, a bone grafting procedure may be necessary prior to implant surgery.
If you would like to find out more about dental implants at Blue Star Dental, as well as what to expect from the process, please have a look here.
To book an appointment, please contact us here or give us a call on (07) 3801 3499.
We also offer a range of other dental treatments, including cosmetic, preventative and restorative procedures. To find out about the full scope of our services, please have a look here.