Dental Implants
Dental Implants
Teeth are an important part of your daily life and play an important role in both aesthetics and function. It is unfortunate when teeth cannot be restored to function and require removal.
We use the latest dental implant technologies and techniques to recreate your smile to restore function and aesthetics. It is highly predictable and with one of the highest success rates in medicine and dentistry (over 98% over five years) you can be confident that you will get the next best thing to teeth.
It does not matter how long the teeth have been missing, your age, the size of the defect or the location in the mouth. We can restore single spaces, larger spans to full mouth rehabilitation. There are normally a few options for methods of tooth replacement and all options will be discussed, a full written report produced and all costs will be explained in advance. We offer an in house finance option which avoids using banks and no credit checks are required. If you require a repayment period that extends outside the length of the treatment then external financing options can be arranged.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a screw made from very strong, bio-compatible Titanium that is placed in the bone to mimic the role of a tooth root, creating a strong, reliable foundation onto which a custom-made prosthetic tooth can be fixed. After the implant is placed in the jaw bone, it is typically left to heal between 3 to 6 months to fuse with your natural bone, creating a permanent anchor. After the fusing process (known as Osseintegration) has completed, a perfectly crafted dental restoration (crown) can be secured on top, ensuring the implant has fully integrated with the surrounding bone, securing a strong foundation. Dental implants can be used to restore single missing teeth as well as retaining dental bridges and dentures.
Why Choose Dental Implants?
- Replaces one or more teeth without affecting neighbouring teeth
- Gives you back your natural smile, improves appearance, looks/feels like natural teeth
- Support a bridge and eliminates the need for a removable partial denture
- Provides support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable
- Slows down bone loss and ageing effects of facial sagging
- High success rate and can last many decades
Book A Dental Check Up Today
If you’re interested in one of our treatments or would just like to discuss your options with a specialist, get in touch today by booking online below or sending an enquiry.
Implant Supported Bridges
Implant-supported bridges can be used to replace several missing or damaged teeth, such as, when a patient may be missing several teeth on side that requires several dental crowns to be placed. An implant-supported bridge is similar to a regular dental bridge, however it is supported by implants rather than by natural teeth and therefore does not require any alteration to natural teeth. Using multiple teeth implants as the anchors of the dental bridge, several dental crowns can be placed into the patient’s mouth.
The following three treatment methods can be used for implant-supported bridges, depending on your needs:
- The traditional dental bridge consists of a false tooth or teeth being held in place by dental crowns fixed over your natural teeth or a false tooth between two dental implants, depending on your needs.
- The Maryland bridge uses two of your natural teeth for support, one on each side of the gap, and uses metal frameworks to bond to the back of your neighboring teeth like wings, with a porcelain replacement tooth filling the gap.
- The Cantilever bridge is an option for when there is only a natural tooth on one side of the gap and involves fixing a pontic to a dental crown to the supported tooth.
Implant-supported bridges are useful for replacing multiple missing teeth, restoring form and function to your mouth seamlessly. We have the technology to digitally plan the implant location and angulation before placement to achieve the best possible end result. If you would like to find out your treatment options, please make an appointment with Dr Kandian via our website or call our friendly Reception team.
Bone Graft
The foundation of a dental implant is bone. In order for a dental implant to be successful and durable, there must be sufficient bone mass in the jaw for implantation. If there is insufficient bone remaining, bone grafting is required in some cases prior to dental implant placement. Bone grafting can increase the height and width of the jaw bone where required so that there is sufficient bone for the implant to be placed and integrate. At Belmont Dental Care, we carry out the following types of bone graft:
- Xenograft – The bone is taken from an animal to be used for bone grafts.
- Alloplasts – This is a synthetic bone substitute, which is chemically similar to mimic human bone. Alloplasts also promote new natural bone formation.
Once full assessments have been carried out, Dr Kandian will discuss the findings and subsequent treatment options and procedures. Please note that not every patient will be suitable for a bone graft and this is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
What Does Dental Implant Treatment Involve?
The treatment begins with an initial assessment to check your teeth, bone and bone quality to ensure there is sufficient density to hold the implant. This will involve x-rays, photographs and possible a 3D CT scan. Impressions are also taken during the assessment process so that accurate models can be made of the teeth. Each case needs to be fully assessed and planned before placing the implant/s to ensure the treatment is appropriate for you.
At Mulgrave Dental Centre, dental implants are placed by Dr Kandian who has completed a 3 year post-graduation in Implantology. After collating all the information from the assessment, Dr Kandian will discuss the results with you and formulate your bespoke treatment plan detailing all available options and costs. The implants are placed under local anaesthetic and left to heal, usually between 3 to 6 months. During this time, you will have temporary teeth placed if required for aesthetics and function.
Once the implant area has healed, the implant is uncovered, allowing accurate impressions to be taken so that the restoration (i.e. Crown or Bridge) can be made. Our dental technicians use Dr Kandian’s precise prescription and state of the art computer scanning to construct first class quality and highly aesthetic restorations. The restoration/s are tried in to confirm fitting, function and aesthetics before the final attachment to the implant/s. A review appointment is made following treatment to confirm function and performance.
The dental implant procedure is carried out under local anesthetic and sedation can also be used. For simple cases, over the counter pain killers for a few days is sufficient to keep you comfortable, and if larger surgical procedures are required then appropriate pain killers and advice will be provided.
It is paramount to maintain good oral hygiene with dental implants to ensure the surrounding gum and bone is kept healthy to prevent receding gums and / or bone loss. We also strongly recommend that you attend regular hygiene appointments and maintain specific inter-dental cleaning around the implant. Please visit our Gallery page to see before and after dental implant cases.
All costs are provided upfront and there are no surprises. Any treatment carried out at our clinic is guaranteed for one year. If you would like to benefit from dental implants, please book an appointment online for an initial consultation via this website. Alternatively, please contact our reception team either by phone, email or the website contact form.
5 Common Questions Regarding Implants
We can safely place implants at our dental surgery using speciality equipment and we pride ourselves on keeping abreast with the latest technology. We carry out the minor oral surgery under local anaesthetic and we also offer sedation if you prefer. Most of our patients are able to return to work following the procedure and just require over the counter pain killers for a few days. We provide all the required medication after the surgery and all after care is provided as necessary. We take time and make effort to plan your treatments well and this planning helps to execute the treatment with efficiency and precision. We will not leave you without a tooth if possible and if there is any risk of leaving you without a tooth then this will be discussed with you in advance.
The implant is carefully and gently placed into healthy bone and allowed to heal for about 8-12 weeks. This is necessary as the union between the implant and the bone is essential for the long term survival and success of the implant. It is allowed to heal below the gum and another tooth replacement option is used while the implant heals and fuses to the bone. Once it has fused fully to the bone the crown is securely screwed into the implant and is ready to be used straight away.
The implant is almost always made from grade four titanium however; the other components can be made form a number of different materials. Their use is determined by the location in the mouth, how your other teeth fit together, and your specific requirements. A good understanding of all your options is essential and the final result should be predictable and deliverable.
You may have a small metal margin at the gum level on the inside of the tooth. This actually makes the cleaning easier and thus will ensure a healthier implant. It is usually not visible and does not cause any concerns.
We will not leave you with a gap. We can even use your existing tooth on the day of the extraction until your temporary bridge is being made. You are not left with a gap at any point during the treatment if possible. We use a range of techniques to ensure we deliver a realistic tooth replacement option that will serve you in the short term and not damage the implant.
Five important facts about implants
1. There are over 2000 implant companies in the world and they are ever increasing. The core material is usually titanium and there are a number of variations such as zirconia and a mixture of titanium and zirconia. The main differences between the different implant companies is the amount of investment in their research and development, how long they have been used and if the clinician has a good working relationship with the company. There are about a dozen different surface treatments that are currently available on the market and there is varying degrees of research to support the use of each type. The surface technology helps the implant form a physical union with the surround alive bone.
2. There are 13 registered specialities in dentistry and dental implants is not one of them. The quality and quantity of implant training varies and dental implants are mainly provided by general dentists. Ensure that you ask about the training of the surgeon and their experience in providing dental implants.
3. Dental implants have one of the best success rates in medicine and dentistry. The implants are medical grade and studies have shown that over 90% survive for over ten years. These are older trials and the technology has advanced since these studies were done. They resemble teeth and function in a very similar way and there are no limitations on their use for function. They also do not decay but it is important to keep them clean as they are susceptible to gum disease.
4. There is less pain after an implant placement than there is after having a tooth removed usually. The tooth needs to be removed from the bone and sometimes we need to use a lot of force to break the bond between the tooth and the bone. However, when we place implants we make a gently socket which is the perfect size to accommodate a dental implant and then gently place the implant into this space.
5. It is not necessary to replace each tooth with a dental implant and each situation is individually assessed and a range of treatment options should be provided. There is no maximum or minimum number of implants but there is the right amount of implants for each treatment plan. There are situations where we can use two implants to replace an entire arch of teeth!!
