Cairns Dental Implants
Dental implants can reconstruct your smile
Dental implants are used to replace a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. The implant consists of an artificial tooth root that an oral surgeon or periodontist places into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. As such, they provide a durable and long-lasting solution, and far surpass dentures as the ideal option for the replacement of missing teeth.
Do you hide your smile because of gaps left by extracted teeth?
Or perhaps your dentures don’t feel secure or they give difficulties chewing? Implants overcome all these problems. Implants are teeth that look and feel just like your own. In fact, they are so natural-looking and feeling that you may forget you ever lost a tooth. Under the proper conditions, such as placement by an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Oral Surgeon or Periodontist, as well as diligent oral hygiene practices, dental implants can and should last a lifetime.
What can dental implants do?
- Replace a tooth without affecting bordering teeth. Implants are actually far more tooth-conserving compared to a conventional bridge. Implants don’t sacrifice the quality of the adjacent teeth like a bridge does because neighbouring teeth are not altered to support the implant
- Support a bridge and eliminate the need for a removable partial denture
- Provide support for a full denture, making it far more secure and comfortable. They will allow you to once again speak and eat with confidence, providing freedom from the irksome clicks and wobbles of dentures
Who makes a good candidate for dental implants?
Ideally, implant patients should have good quality and quantities of bone in which to seat the implant and have a healthy mouth free of gum disease and infection.
If you have been missing teeth for many years, you may not have sufficient bone to allow for successful placement of an implant. In this scenario, you may require bone grafts to the area via procedures known as sinus augmentation and ridge modification. Bone grafts greatly improve appearance and increase your chances for successful implants that can last for a lifetime.
To be a good candidate for implants, you will need to have excellent oral hygiene. Implants are just like your own teeth and require conscientious at-home care – in order to keep your implant clean, brushing and flossing still apply. After treatment, we will work closely with you and periodic follow-up visits will be scheduled in order to monitor your implant, teeth and gums to ensure they remain healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I treat an infection around my dental implant?
Peri-implantitis is a dental infection that can impact the area around your dental implant.
Signs include inflammation, redness or swelling in the area, halitosis, bleeding after brushing, pain and a bad taste in your mouth. Do not try to treat this on your own. As soon as you identify the issue get in touch with your dentist. They will prescribe the best course of treatment which can include dental cleaning, oral medication and possibly surgery. This depends on how severe the infection is and is different for different patients.
Can I eat normally once my dental implant has been placed?
Yes. Once you have recovered from your implant procedure, you will be able to bite and chew properly. In fact, dental implants function just like natural teeth so you should have no trouble eating normally. Implants are much more secure and comfortable than dentures, and you will be able to eat with confidence knowing that your implant won’t move out of place.
How long does a dental implant last?
Under the proper conditions, such as placement by an oral surgeon or periodontist, as well as diligent oral hygiene practices, dental implants can last a lifetime. It’s essential that you take care of your implant in the same way as your regular teeth by brushing and flossing every day. You should also see your dentist for regular check-ups to ensure that any issues are identified as early as possible.
Will an implant affect my other teeth in any way?
Your dental implant won’t affect the bordering teeth, and won’t sacrifice the quality of the adjacent teeth like a dental bridge does. This is because the neighbouring teeth are not altered in any way to support the dental implant.
How should I take care of a dental implant?
Dental implants look and function just like your natural teeth, and need to be cared for in the same way. Good oral hygiene is essential when it comes to looking after your dental implants — keep them clean by brushing and flossing each day and make sure that you come in for follow-up visits and check-ups so that we can ensure your implant, teeth and gums remain healthy in the long term.
Will I need a bone graft in order to have an implant placed?
In some cases, a bone graft may be required before an implant can be placed. If you have been missing teeth for many years and don’t have enough jaw bone in which to seat the implant, a bone graft may be necessary. Bone grafts often increase the chance of a successful implant procedure, and can also improve the appearance of the final result.
Are dental implants comfortable?
Yes! Dental implants feel just like your natural teeth once they have been placed. They are much more secure and comfortable than dentures, and can restore oral function very effectively without ever slipping or sliding out of place.
Is the dental implant procedure painful?
The dental implant procedure is typically performed under general anaesthesia by our Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon or occasionally an Oral Surgeon or Periodontist, so you should not feel any pain during the surgery. Some discomfort and swelling may occur after the procedure, but this can be managed with pain medications prescribed by your dentist. Overall, many patients report minimal pain during and after the implant placement.
Dr Gibbins no longer surgically places the implant(s) and refers them to the specialists above. He then places the crown or other prosthesis on the implants once they are integrated into the jawbone.
How soon after tooth extraction can I get a dental implant?
The timing for placing a dental implant after a tooth extraction can vary depending on various factors, including the health of the extraction site and the quality of the surrounding bone. In general, it is recommended to wait for the extraction site to heal completely before placing a dental implant, which can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Sometimes it is recommended to remove a tooth that is not infected as part of an implant-based treatment plan. At times, the implant can be placed at the time the tooth or teeth are removed.
Your implant surgeon and Dr Gibbins will evaluate your specific situation and determine the optimal time for implant placement. They may also recommend bone grafting or other procedures to prepare the extraction site for the implant, which can affect the timeline. It’s essential to follow your dentist’s and implant surgeon’s recommendations for the best outcome.
How long does the dental implant process take?
The dental implant process typically spans several months. After an initial consultation and planning phase, any necessary tooth extractions and bone grafting procedures are performed, with a healing period of a few weeks to a few months. The implant is then surgically placed into the jawbone, followed by a 3-4 month osseointegration period where the implant fuses with the bone. After osseointegration, an abutment is placed, and a few weeks later, the final crown or other prosthesis is attached. Overall, the process can take anywhere from 3 months to over a year, depending on individual healing and treatment needs.
