Losing a tooth as an adult can have a negative impact on many aspects of your health and wellbeing. Firstly, it can affect your self-confidence and make you uncomfortable with your appearance. It can prevent you from smiling as often or as freely as you would like, because of concerns about what other people might think of your missing teeth. It can affect the optimal function of your mouth, making it difficult to chew or eat properly. Depending on the location of your missing tooth or teeth it may affect your speech. Also missing teeth can have a detrimental effect on surrounding healthy teeth. The healthy teeth are no longer supported correctly and this can cause them to move from their proper positions and become gradually weaker, resulting in increased wear and tear and further dental issues. To avoid these complications it is important to address your missing teeth sooner rather than later. The longer you wait to replace your missing teeth, there is a greater chance of gum disease and bone decay. If left untreated these factors can have serious implications for dental health in the future.
What are dental implants?
Speak to your dentist today and find out about replacing your missing teeth with a dental implant Melbourne. A dental implant is a permanent solution for tooth replacement. It works as a replacement root for your missing tooth or teeth to which a prosthetic of your choice can be securely attached to replace your lost dentition. A dental implant can help restore the appearance of your smile, the function of your mouth, and resolve any problems you may have with chewing, eating or speech. It can correct the alignment of your teeth and prevent issues that occur as a result of a gap in the arch of your teeth.
How does the procedure work?
A dental implant is a small titanium component which is inserted directly into the bone socket of your missing tooth. The dentist will determine whether you have sufficient healthy gum and bone to support the implant successfully. If the dentist is satisfied then you will be able to undergo the process. A dental implant is designed to become a permanent fixture in your mouth. When the titanium comes into contact with the bone tissue it initiates a process called osseointegration, during which more bone forming cells or osteoblasts form around the implant holding it securely in place. From the implant surgery it can take several months for this process to be completed successfully and during this time your dentist will examine your mouth to make sure there are no signs of infection and that your gum is healing correctly. Once the implant is fixed in place the dentist will attach a small abutment or a connector post to the implant to which your choice of prosthetic can be fixed securely, allowing you to enjoy a full set of teeth once more. You can have one implant or multiple implants depending on your dental requirements and you can speak to your dentist about replacing your full set of teeth using dental implants if necessary. Contact your dentist today to find out more.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
