Through trauma or a slower form of damage in the case of decay, the loss of a tooth can be upsetting; this is particularly true of the big eight, the most predominant teeth in the mouth that the majority of people worry about. Dentists and researchers have continued to focus on this perfect oral implantation technique because it is a proven way of returning lost teeth, not only in their function but in their appearance, quite literally allowing you to reclaim what you probably thought was lost forever. This is possible because oral implants do not require any element of the original tooth to remain; in fact, an oral implant can be used to replace a tooth that was lost decades ago for which the socket within the jaw has long since closed.
What is an oral implant?
Dental implants Melbourne that is traditionally used comes in 3 pieces; there is the titanium component which sits below the gum line and is permanently fixed into the jawbone – this occurs through a process called osseointegration. When the titanium implant is first fitted, it is loose in the vacant socket with an all purpose drilled hole. As new bone grows around the titanium implant, it becomes tightly bound to the jawbone fixing it in place. When it is fully fixed in place, it is ready to have the prosthetic tooth attached above it; this is facilitated by the connector, a semi locking mechanism which allows your dentist to simply attach the prosthetic tooth on the top of the titanium implant once it is fully fixed in place, giving a strong and dependable anchor for your new tooth.
The prosthetic teeth themselves are similar to a crown, but instead of a vacant hole within the centre of the polymer porcelain construct in order to accept the peg of a remaining tooth there is the upper half of the connector.
It can take quite some time for the titanium implants to become fixed into the jaw. This time period is heavily dependent on your rate of bone growth and there are many factors that will affect your rate of bone growth but fundamentally it is genetic and will vary from person to person. Lifestyle choices, like having a varied and high-quality diet as well as not smoking is highly recommended, although there are no age limitations to receiving oral implants. If you have been diagnosed with severe osteoporosis and are experiencing low bone density of the jaw, oral implants would either be inappropriate or would have to be pre-loaded with a bone graft.
During an initial assessment, X-rays will be taken which will be able to determine the density of your jawbone and assess your suitability for oral implants. Your dental team may also make use of an in clinic CT scanner in order to accurately plan out any treatment schedules.
If you have any further questions about oral implants in Melbourne for you or a family member, contact your local implantation centre or dental clinic for advice.
DISCLAIMER
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
