Missing teeth can have a huge impact on your daily life. It can change the appearance of your smile, completely, affect the way you feel about your teeth and affect the way other people look at you. Missing teeth can make you look older than you are and, depending on the position of your missing teeth, the issues can be more complex such as affecting tthe way you speak. If you are missing front teeth, you may develop a lisp and not be able to pronounce some of your letters correctly which can again affect your confidence or even your daily life. Missing teeth can compromise the health of your remaining teeth. Your teeth will try to move and fill the gap left by the missing tooth. This can cause a range of issues. If you have lost a tooth or are about to undergo a tooth extraction, then you need to speak to your dentist and find out about dental implants South Yarra for replacing your missing teeth.
Over the last 60 years dental implants South Yarra have become the gold standard in replacing missing teeth. The first implant surgery was carried out by Dr Branemark, a Swedish surgeon who used titanium dental implants. Titanium dental implants are designed to be a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth. Even in 1965, the first surgery was successful and the implants lasted for the rest of the patient’s life. Since then, much research and development has been carried out in dental implants South Yarra, and although titanium is still the metal of choice, dental implants have become more advanced and with good dental hygiene and regular visits to your dental practice, your dental implants can help replace your missing teeth to restore the appearance of your smile and restore the function of your mouth for a very long time.
Replacing a single tooth
Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, and even all of your teeth, depending on your individual needs. If you are missing a single tooth, this can be replaced using one dental implant. Firstly, your dentist will examine the rest of your teeth and gums, as well as the site of tooth loss. If the area has healed, then you should be ready to replace the missing tooth. Your dentist will make sure that your remaining teeth are strong and healthy and that there is no risk of further tooth loss. If you have any issues such as tooth decay or gum disease, then this will be addressed as part of the treatment plan. When you are ready, a scan of your mouth will be carried out to show how the implant needs to be inserted and what size implant you need to replace the tooth. The implant will be produced and you will be invited for the surgery.
On the day you will receive a local anaesthetic or your preferred type of sedation for the surgery. A small hole will be drilled into the bone socket of the missing tooth and the implant will be placed into your jaw. The gum will be stitched over the implant, and this will be left to heal for a few months. Within 3 to 6 months, the implant should become fixed into your jaw and then it can be replaced with a tailor-made crown that will restore the appearance and function of your mouth.
Replacing multiple teeth
If you are missing multiple teeth you may need multiple implants. If you are missing adjacent teeth, then you will be pleased to know that one implant can replace up to three missing teeth. If the teeth are positioned around your mouth, you may need separate implants. It is possible to replace a full arch of teeth using only four implants which means that your dentist can replace all of your teeth with only eight implants.
Same day teeth
If you are missing all of your teeth, then six months may seem a long time to wait to replace your teeth. In this case you need to speak to your dentist and find out about same day teeth. Same day teeth are a temporary set of teeth that will be fitted into your mouth that can be removed easily allowing the implants to heal before you replace your missing teeth permanently. Same day teeth allow you to restore the appearance of your smile and some of the function of your mouth whilst you wait for the implants to heal, until you replace your teeth with crowns or a set of implant retained dentures. Speak to 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.
