A dental implant Melbourne is a safe and effective method of replacing a missing tooth. You may need to replace a tooth as a result of tooth decay, gum disease or facial injury. Poor dental hygiene resulting in tooth decay and gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss here in Australia, and there are many reasons for this. Almost half the population admits to not brushing their teeth before they go to sleep at night. Many avoid dental checkups unless it is an emergency, and some avoid their dentists altogether. Smoking and drinking also have huge impacts on dental health in Australia and are major causes of missing teeth.
You can have a dental implant to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth, but there are also other options available. You can choose something removable, like a set of dentures, which can be taken out of your mouth and replaced as necessary, or you can choose a more permanent option, such as a bridge, which can attach to adjacent teeth. Your dentist will shave down adjacent teeth and use them to create a bridge for a crown to replace the missing tooth.
A bridge used to be the most popular way of replacing missing teeth, but over the last few decades, they have been replaced by dental implants. A dental implant is a titanium screw that can be inserted into the jaw bone and fixed with a custom-designed crown to match the rest of your remaining teeth. A dental implant can also hold a set of partial or full dentures.
One of the benefits of a dental implant is that, unlike a bridge, your adjacent teeth remain intact. Furthermore, dental implants can preserve and strengthen the jawbone for better dental health. Studies show that dental implants are a better choice in the long term than all of the options available for replacing missing teeth.
Are dental implants suitable for everyone?
Unfortunately, dental implants are not suitable for everyone. To find out whether you are a good candidate for dental implants, visit your dentist. They will carry out diagnostic imaging, including x-rays and intraoral scans, to assess the quality and quantity of your jaw bone and advise you on the best treatment plan to replace your teeth.
However, having some medical conditions can mean you may not be suitable for dental implants; these include diabetes, blood clotting disorders and autoimmune disorders. If you are a smoker, you must quit smoking before you can replace your missing teeth with dental implants. In the same way, if you are involved with drug abuse, then you need to seek help and stop this before you can consider dental implant surgery. Certain medications can also affect the success of dental implants, and your dentist will put together an alternative treatment plan for you.
Why are dental implants more expensive than other treatments?
At first, it may seem that dental implants are more expensive than other tooth replacement options. However, it is important to remember that dental implants are designed to last a lifetime. Whilst dentures may be relatively inexpensive, they need to be replaced approximately every five years so that they continue to function properly. Some people may have greater wear and tear, and in this case, they will need to replace their dentures more frequently. With dental implants, once they are in place, you need to maintain excellent dental hygiene and visit your dentist regularly, and in this way, your implants should last for the rest of your life. Studies also show that dental implants offer a better quality of life than dentures; therefore, where possible, if you have healthy gum and bone, choose dental implants to replace your missing teeth. For elderly patients, dentures are an excellent option; however, for patients who lose their teeth early on in life, dental implants are a better solution.
Speak to your dentist today and learn more about dental implants, why they are more beneficial than other tooth replacement options and how they can benefit your dental health in the future. The earlier you address missing teeth, the fewer complications you will face, so speak to your dentist today to 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.
