subject: Dental Implant Education [print this page] Dental implants are stronger and more durable than their restorative counterparts (bridges and dentures). Implants offer a permanent solution to tooth loss. Additionally, implants may be used in conjunction with other restorative procedures for maximum effectiveness.
For example, a single implant can serve to support a crown replacing a single missing tooth. Implants can also be used to support a dental bridge for the replacement of multiple missing teeth, and can be used with dentures to increase stability and reduce gum tissue irritation.
Procedural advancements, including the development of narrower "mini" implants, mean that more people than ever before are finding themselves candidates for implantation.
However, candidacy for implantation still varies, meaning that your dentist may determine that you should opt for an alternative restoration. Keep in mind, too, that dentists do not need a specific license by law in order to perform implant dentistry.
A general or restorative dentist may perform the crown and bridge placement that is associated with implant restoration. However, prosthodontists are the specialists who often complete this crucial procedure.
The Dental Implant Procedure
Today's dental implants are virtually indistinguishable from other teeth. This appearance is aided in part by the structural and functional connection between the dental implant and the living bone.
Implants are typically placed in a single sitting but require a period of osseointegration. Osseointegration is the process by which direct anchorage of a dental implant root and the bone of the jaw occurs.
Osseointegrated implants are the most commonly used and successful type of dental implant. An osseointegrated implant takes anywhere from three to six months to anchor and heal, at which point your dentist can complete the procedure with the placement of a crown.
Once the implant has anchored with the jawbone, artificial prosthesis may be attached and the process is done. If osseointegration does not occur, the implant will fail.
Choosing the right dentist will make all the difference to the comfort and success of your implant procedure. This article will give you four questions to ask before choosing a dentist for your needs.
The first question to ask a clinic about implant dentistry is how much experience the dentists have in the procedure.
Although the success rates for this procedure are relatively high, it is important to find a dentist who has performed many teeth implants in Sydney. This will ensure that your procedure will result in osseointegration.
The next question to ask about tooth implants is whether the dentist does a thorough screening process prior to the procedure. There are certain medical conditions that can lower the rates of success.
These might include previous treatments like radiation therapy or current conditions like diabetes. It is important to find an implants dentist who will screen patients carefully before performing dental implants.
It is also important to ask the implant dentist about how the procedure will work. Not all dentists are created equal in terms of patient comfort.
It is important to find a dentist for your procedure who will listen to your concerns and answer questions. You will also want to find a dental clinic that is clean and comfortable and a staff that is helpful and friendly.
This will make the implant process much easier overall. You will also see this clinic over a period of months before the procedure is complete, so it is important to feel comfortable there.
The final question about dental implant should be about cost. While you don't want to choose a dentist for your tooth implant by bottom line alone, you do want to know up front what the price will be. It is also important to ask about financing options available.
Most dentists will provide some sort of financing to make it easier for patients to pay for procedures.
