How Safe Are Dental Implants Nowadays?

Dental implants are placed to substitute tooth roots that provide support for permanent or removable teeth replacement that are specifically designed to match the natural teeth. It may sound a little intricate and you’re probably wondering how safe are dental implants? Sydney Laser Dental Care is one of the clinics that you can trust when it comes to dental implant surgery.

Implant placement has been around for many years and is already considered a very safe tooth replacement method. Implants are always successful depending on the health condition of the patient and the dentist’s professionalism.

How It Started

Dental implants are believed to have started around 2000 BC in China. During the ancient civilization, carved bamboo pegs were used as materials to replace missing teeth. Metal implants were first discovered from the body of an Egyptian king who is assumed to have been alive during 1000 BC. Researchers discovered a copper peg plastered on his upper jawbone. There are a lot of other discoveries that will support the claims that dental implants have been around a lot longer than we could fathom.

It was around the 18th century when dental researchers started using gold and alloys to make dental implants, sadly, this implant placement did not work very well. During this time, the main cause of their unsuccessful experiments is because the human body kept on rejecting the dental implants. Dental implant surgery can only be considered a success if the implant and the bone combined together, which is called osseointegration.

The first-ever successful dental implant surgery occurred around the 1960s when an orthopedic discovered that a titanium cylinder fused with a rabbit’s femur bone could contribute to bone healing and regeneration, this leads him to the conclusion that these materials can be used in dental implants as well. This event has opened doors to remarkable improvement in strategies used in implant placement.

Up to this era, dental implants are known to be one of the most notable solutions for missing teeth.

Importance Of Dental Implants

Dental implant surgeries in Brisbane have numerous advantages including:

1. Improving appearance. Losing a tooth or 2 could make us feel insecure and often discourages us from talking and conversing with people. Completing your look with a dental implant can boost your self-esteem and confidence.
2. Helps in enhancing speech. A missing tooth might cause a whistling effect whenever we try to speak, this awkward situation can make us feel uncomfortable. Dental implants will help in making sure that you will be able to speak freely and confidently.
3. Provides comfort. Removing dentures all the time can be a hassle most especially if you misplace or lose them. Dental implants become a part of your body as it attaches itself to your bone, making it look like natural teeth.
4. Enjoyable eating. Each of our teeth supports one another and has its own purpose and function. Just losing one can make it hard for us to chew meat or an apple. Having a dental implant in Melbourne at Glenferrie Dental will make you appreciate your meals even more.
5. Implants are durable. With proper oral care, dental implants can last for a very long time, even for a lifetime.

The success rate of implants will vary on its actual placement on the jaw, your dental condition, and how well the dentist handled the procedure. But generally speaking, about 98% of dental implants are deemed successful.

Who Are Eligible To Get Dental Implants

Anyone in the right health condition can undergo implant placements as long as they are healthy enough for dental extraction and oral surgeries that might be needed to perform implant placement. Before getting implants, the dentist will examine the whole oral condition of the patient including the gums, teeth, and jawbone. Smokers will be evaluated accordingly as well as people who have chronic disorders such as diabetes and cancer.

Dental Implant Procedure

The overall process of implant placement could take months as several examinations, treatments, and surgery may be needed prior to the actual dental implant surgery. These are just of the steps that you will have to go through:

1. Initial screening and examination. The dentist will determine your dental health and study your entire medical history. It is important that you inform your dentist if you have any disease or illnesses as some of these could have effects on the result.
2. Planning. Basing on your initial check-up and medical history, the dentist will layout a treatment plan. This will include the number of teeth that need to be extracted, what kind of treatments you need, and what surgeries will be performed, and many more.
3. Execution of the plan. At this point, you will undergo particular dental treatments such as cleaning, removal of the damaged tooth, and bone grafting. Bone grafting is the process of reestablishing thin or soft jawbone. Dentists suggest this treatment because having a strong and thick jawbone is essential for successful dental implant surgery.
4. Implant placement. Your surgeon will now induce you with anesthesia as this process will include cutting of your gums and drilling your bone. A metal post will be inserted deep into the hole where your dental implants will be placed.
5. Waiting for the fusion. After the fourth step, you will now wait for the osseointegration where the jawbone integrates with the dental implant. This process can take multiple months depending on how your jawbone will react to the implant.
6. After the completion of step 5, the placement of the abutment will take place. This procedure will include reopening the gum with dental instruments and exposing the dental implant, attaching the abutment on top of it, and closing the gums once more. It will take 2 weeks before this fully heals.
7. When the gums healed rigorously, you will be given an option to choose between a fixed artificial tooth and removable denture. A fixed artificial tooth will be screwed permanently to the abutment. You will not be able to remove this tooth. Removable dentures can be easily removed from the implant and place back on.

Dental Implant Before and Aftercare

The success of the surgery will not solely depend on the dentist’s skills but also on how you take care of your dental health before the dental implant surgery. Below is a list of the few things to keep in mind to secure optimal results:

• Take the antibiotics prescribed to you beforehand.
• Prepare your body before the scheduled surgery, this includes eating healthy foods and avoiding foods as instructed by your dentist, alcohol, and cigars.
• Plan ahead and bring someone you trust with you on the surgery day. You will be sedated during the surgery and this will take a few hours to wear off.
• After the surgery, avoid foods and drinks that are too hot or too cold, keep away from doing extreme physical activities, and try not to agitate the treatment area.
• Consider your new teeth as part of your natural teeth and keep it clean through regular brushing given that it’s completely healed from the operation.
• Use saltwater mouthwash to help the gums heal fully. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in warm water and use it as a mouthwash after brushing your teeth. You can repeat this process as you please.
• Try to avoid the newly treated area when chewing for as long as possible. This will give the gums enough time to heal undisturbed.
• Unless the wound has subsided and healed, keep away from smoking in the meantime as this can cause a delay in the healing process.

Critical Facts About Dental Implants

Some of us often rely on the information given to us without exerting an effort to figure out which dental implant myths are true and which are not. Here are some of the critical facts about dental implants.

Dental implants are not the same as dental crowns. It only serves as the root where the crown or teeth replacement is placed.

Implant placement surgeries are safe and low risk. This procedure has a 95 to 98% rate of success over the past years and millions of people who have dental implants are living their best life because of it. Gum bleeding and sensitivity may occur for a short while but severe complications are unusual.

Implants are more vigorous than natural teeth. Aside from the fact that dental implants look like natural teeth and does its function just as well, implants are much more durable and long-standing.

It’s more than just aesthetics. True enough, dental implants can improve physical appearance and facial look, but dental implants provide other things as well as enhanced speech and comfort.

You say farewell to cavities because dental implants do not decay like natural teeth. It is also the only dental treatment that revitalizes the jaw, unlike dentures which can cause jaw deterioration.

If you’re looking for affordable dental implants in Sydney, you can visit Dental 266’s Burwood clinic and find out more about their pricing.