Sydney Dental Implants: Teeth That Look, Feel and Function like Your Own Teeth
Dental implants are the next best thing to natural teeth. A titanium screw replaces the root and forms the base for the crown. When everything is in place it is usually difficult to differentiate between the implant and adjacent tooth. This also applies to several teeth.
The beauty is that teeth are replaced without affecting adjacent healthy teeth.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a specially trained dentist places into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge.
Dental implants are a highly specialized area of dentistry, although no specialty exists for implant surgery.
Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason. While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth saving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighbouring teeth for support.
Dental implants are the closest thing to replacing a lost tooth or teeth; most patients forget ever losing their tooth. You know that your confidence about your teeth affects how you feel about yourself, both personally and professionally. Perhaps you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth. Maybe your dentures don't feel secure. Perhaps you have difficulty chewing. If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to smile, speak and eat again with comfort and confidence, there is good news. Dental implants are teeth that can look and feel just like your own. Under proper conditions, such as placement by a specialized trained dental surgeon and diligent patient maintenance, implants can last a lifetime. Long-term studies continue to show improving success rates for implants.
Our practice is a referral practice from both Dental Surgeons with whom Dr Sarkis Nalbandian has a close co-operation with, as well as existing patients. This benefits our patient’s dental implant and general oral health needs where complex dental reconstructions are required.
Below are some commonly asked questions about Dental Implants:
What are Dental Implants?
How can Dental Implants help me?
Do Dental Implants Hurt?
Are implants always successful?
Will I reject my Dental Implant?
Will I be able to chew like normal?
Will there be any swelling?
How will I care for my dental implants?
Can I afford dental implants?
How long will treatment take?
Will I be without my teeth for any period during treatment?
What type of follow up care is needed?
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial roots, usually made of titanium which are fused to the jaw bone and help attach one or more missing teeth. There are several treatment options available, depending on whether one or several teeth need to be replaced, or whether all the upper or lower teeth need replacement, including the exciting new procedure-Same Day Teeth.
How can Dental Implants help me?
Dental implants may offer solutions to the following patients:
Those who cannot chew comfortably or efficiently with conventional dentures
Those who have lost teeth and don’t want to wear partial dentures
Those that have lost a single tooth and want a single tooth implant rather than a bridge
Those that are wearing a partial or full denture but want a fixed solution
Do Dental Implants Hurt?
Surprisingly very little! Placement of dental implants does involve minor surgery. The procedure is very gentle and often done under Intravenous (IV) Sedation provided by Medical doctor specialized-Dr Bree Belford (web site link to his site is required) in emergency medicine and sedation. Under sedation people are not aware of the procedure itself. All post-operative medication is provided to reduce inflammation-swelling and discomfort.
Are implants always successful?
Modern dental implants have been around for over 45 years. Research shows that the success rate for dental implants can be over 90%-this is one of the highest of any dental procedure.
Dr Nalbandian’s personal success rate is 93.5%, as per our practice statistics, he has placed more than 1000 implants.
Will I reject my Dental Implant?
Dental implants problem basically relates to the situation of healing of a bone fracture, where bone heals against bone. In dental implants, the bone heals against titanium.
In about 3-10 % of cases the bone will not heal against titanium. In this case the implant is removed, we wait for 3-6 weeks for the site to heal and a new implant is placed at this site.
Because our success rate is high, we regard this as a small incidence; therefore we provide the second implant free of the implant cost. A small fee is given for surgical set up costs.
Our patients and referring dentists are most pleased with this set up and appreciate the level of care provided.
Will I be able to chew like normal?
Following the procedure itself and depending on what was performed, we encourage you to avoid using the healing area for the first few weeks. This may include having a soft but nutritious diet during this period of adaptation. Once the final teeth are placed, there are no restrictions and you can certainly eat efficiently and with confidence as you would with natural teeth.
Will there be any swelling?
As with any surgical procedure you may expect some discomfort and swelling. The amount will vary between different people. Some people experience nothing whilst others may have some discomfort for up to a week or so. Medication is available to help people through this period.
How will I care for my dental implants?
Once we have successfully placed your new teeth, an appointment will be scheduled with our dental hygienist who will explain the correct use of brushing and flossing. If any special brushes are needed, these will be introduced and explained.
Can I afford dental implants?
Fees vary depending on how many implants are required, what the final teeth are to be made of as well as the quantity and quality of the available bone and gum tissue.
Any treatments will be coordinated with your referring dentist.
There are many different treatment options available which involve dental implants. It is difficult to provide for any recommendations without studying your requirements to help determine whether you are a candidate for treatment and ultimately which options fit within your budget.
Implants are considered as an investment as the long-term success is often superior to the discomfort and repetitive temporary solutions that are available as an alternative.
During our consultative process you will see how we can tailor a unique solution to fit within your budget and circumstances.
If you are insured by a Health Fund, parts of the fees are reimbursed, and in addition 20% of fees over $1250 are claimable back from your tax.
Please consult with your tax and/or financial planner for final confirmation of this.
How long will treatment take?
Your first step is to arrange a consultation where we can start working on your specific needs. Important diagnostic information may include photographs, X-rays and models of your teeth. Some X-rays called CT (computerized tomography) are undertaken by a Radiologist within walking distance (300 meters) from our centre. You can park your car at our car park and walk.
Once we have discussed your treatment needs, treatment may begin. Treatment time depends on what we do. Sometimes you can have a new tooth or several teeth fitted in one day. Many options range within one visit or over 3 to 6 months. Sometimes, if we need to augment the bone, treatment may take about six months.
Will I be without my teeth for any period during treatment
This is a very important question that our patients ask. Dr Nalbandian goes to great effort to assure our patients that they will have at least temporary teeth at missing teeth sites, where the implants are placed. We rarely allow our patients to leave our rooms without any form of teeth replacement, following an implant placement.
What type of follow up care is needed?
Your implants may fail for the same reasons you lost your natural teeth (periodontal disease that is not followed up/controlled or severe tooth bruxing/grinding). Poor oral hygiene is the greatest concern for dental implants. The build up of dental plaque and debris around the teeth means an increase in bacteria and toxins which cause destructive inflammation and infection. This may lead to swollen gums and loss of bone which supports the teeth and dental implants. Excellent oral hygiene is necessary and vital for the long term success of your implants and permanent teeth. The wear of a night guard may be indicated to control forces on the new implant supported restorations.
Part of the success of your teeth is to have frequent visits at our rooms or to your referring Dental Surgeon. Personalised instruction, as well as cleaning around the dental implants and any remaining teeth is important and an integral part to the success and health of your new teeth.
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