Do you suffer from missing teeth? Have you attempted bridges or other semi-permanent solutions? Do you wish you could have your original teeth back or at least some way to make a partial denture hold panelling in place? You should consider a dental implant Melbourne procedure as a permanent solution.
Implants come in two sections, the oral prosthetic that will be visible inside the mouth and the titanium implant itself. The titanium implant acts as an artificial root and extends from the gum line down into the jawbone.
The foundation of a successful implantation is a process known as osseointegration. This is where living bone forms a very close association with titanium and the reason why titanium is so widely used in surgical devices. It can take 4 to 12 months for an implant to fully integrate into the jaw; once this can be confirmed by an x-ray, this allows the procedure to move on to the second stage.
During the second stage of implanting, the prosthetic is attached via the connector; the connector is a semi-permanent locking mechanism, half of which is on the titanium component of the implant and the other half is the base of the prosthetic. It permanently locks the two together but can be unlocked during future dental procedures if necessary, allowing the prosthetic to be replaced without having to extract the implant itself.
Using multiple implants
Some things are just better if you have more than one. A pair of implants can be used to anchor a bridge of up to 4 teeth. 5 to 6 implants can hold an entire denture permanently in place, fixing it in such a way it feels more a part of your person and encourages the same routines of brushing and flossing, thus increasing your confidence to laugh and consume hard foods.
Costs and opportunities
Implanting is a costly procedure both in time and money, but it is important to consider it in the greater context. Not only can implants last a lifetime, but they also reduce further costs.
What is the cost of not getting treatment? Maybe it’s just having to continue to put up with your partial denture or having to consider the other options there are to reduce gum soreness and rubbing; perhaps an adhesive? Or maybe you think the gap is no big deal, it’s at the back and no one can see it, right? But teeth migrate into gaps in your smile as an attempt to spread the load of the bite out over the entire jaw; this can easily lead to a gap at the back, resulting in an asymmetrical tooth position across your smile.
Another subtle effect of tooth loss is the reduction in force being applied to your jaw without the constant stress of an equal bite; the body will recycle the calcium and bone mass of the jaw, resulting in a shrunken atrophic appearance.
DISCLAIMER
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitione