What is a Dental Implant?
Dental implants are titanium screws that replace the root of a tooth.
These screws are placed where a tooth has been lost and may have a crow or bridge affixed to them. Implants can also serve as supports for dentures, improving the fit and retention of prosthetic teeth.
Dental implants may replace a lost tooth or many missing teeth. They can:
- Resolve jaw joint pain or bite issues
- Prevent surrounding teeth from shifting
- Improve the ability to chew, speak and digest
- Prevent bite and jaw joint problems caused by teeth shifting
- Restore the 'sunken face' look associated with missing teeth
How Does a Dental Implant Work?
In order to perform the dental implant procedure, our dentist will require 3 different pieces which will be placed in your mouth in 2 appointments: a titanium screw, an abutment and a dental restoration like a crown or bridge.
First, the metal root will be surgically placed into the jaw bone. Generally, it will take 4 to 6 months for the surgical implant to heal before the artificial tooth or teeth can be placed.
Once your implant has healed, our dentists will attach the abutment and tooth replacement to the metal root. This mimics the functionality of a natural tooth
Dental Implant FAQs
The following are some of the most commonly asked questions of our dentists about dental implants.
- Are implant procedures typically successful?
The implant procedure that we perform at Marine Dental Clinic is successful for many patients.
However, with dental implants, as with any procedure, there is some risk of complications arising.
- Will the dental implant procedure be painful?
You are unlikely to experience major discomfort during and after the procedure. Your dentist will review anaesthesia options with you and plan your procedure based on the wishes you express. However, dental implant placement is usually completed with local anaesthesia.
- Will I be able to chew normally?
Following treatment using a dental implant, your ability to chew should significantly improve when compared with your ability before receiving an implant.
After some time with your new implant, many patients find they can chew almost just as well as they could with a full jaw of natural teeth.
- How long will my dental implants last?
With proper care, there is no time limit on how long dental implants can last and dental implant systems continue to improve.