The decision to have a dental implant Melbourne to replace your missing tooth can have a great impact on all aspects of your life.
Missing teeth
Missing teeth can affect not just the appearance of your smile but also your ability to bite and chew your favourite foods and even digest your food properly. Missing teeth can affect your speech and ability to pronounce certain words. They can also have a significantly detrimental effect on your self-confidence and mental well-being. If you are affected by missing teeth, then you need to speak to your dentist sooner rather than later and find out about replacing your missing teeth with a dental implant Melbourne.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a small screw made of medical-grade titanium, which is strong, non-corrosive, lightweight and biocompatible and can be used to replace the root of your missing tooth. The implant can be directly inserted into the bone socket of your missing tooth, where it integrates with the jawbone and becomes a permanent fixture in your mouth. If you are thinking about replacing your missing teeth, a dental implant may be the most suitable way for you to do so.
Over the last few decades, dental implants have become the gold standard of tooth replacement. This appliance can restore the appearance of a smile and the function of the mouth more effectively than other forms of tooth replacement. It is a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth, and even the first dental implant that was used on a human patient lasted for the entire duration of the patient’s life.
Dental implant surgery
Whether you need to replace one or more missing teeth, it is important that you speak to your dentist urgently and let them put together a tailored treatment plan for you. Dental implantation is a surgical procedure; therefore, the dental team will have to make sure that it is suitable for you. Your dentist will analyse your medical history, thoroughly examine your remaining teeth and assess the quality of your gums and jawbones, incorporating bone and gum grafting into the surgery where necessary.
Dental implant surgery is suitable for patients of all ages provided that they have healthy and dense jawbones and gums to hold the implant in place. However, certain medical conditions may render you ineligible for dental implant surgery, and in such a case, your dentist will discuss further options with you.
The implantation procedure takes between one and two hours, depending on the number of implants you need to replace your missing teeth. The implant will be integrated into the jawbone by a natural healing process known as osseointegration, which can take several months, depending on your body’s ability to heal. Your dentist will make sure that the process is coming along successfully, and within six months, you should be able to replace your missing tooth with a crown or a set of dentures as required. Speak to your dentist in Melbourne today and find out more.
DISCLAIMER
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.