Abeautiful smile makes a great first impression and is one of the key reasons people are perceived as being attractive or successful. The smile is also an area of the body that ages very visibly. However, for one reason or another, many people in society are missing one or more teeth.
‘Many people who have lost teeth throughout the ageing process have not had the benefit of modern dentistry,’ says Sydney reconstructive cosmetic dentist Dr Sarkis Nalbandian. ‘They have been treated with the resources available to them at the time, such as dentures and extractions. However, as life expectancy increases, people are looking for more permanent, comfortable options.’ Dental implants are associated with high patient satisfaction rates. They are a permanent replacement of the dental roots using a titanium fixture, which is united with the bone of the jaw. They can be used to replace a single missing tooth, several teeth or all teeth.
‘Dental implants can make a real difference to people’s lives,’ says Dr Nalbandian. ‘They can enhance someone’s overall appearance and give them the confidence to smile again.’
According to Dr Nalbandian, the advantages of implants lie in the fact that quality implants will allow patients to eat their favourite foods comfortably and confidently, provided there is adequate bone quality for the implants to work properly. Implants can also be used to save healthy adjacent teeth that would otherwise have to be prepared or cut down for conventional bridgework, and they can preserve the bone from shrinkage after tooth loss.
Cosmetic dentistry should improve the attractiveness of the smile while addressing the dental needs. No matter what level of treatment is required, the dentist should assess the patient’s smile as part of the overall facial appearance. Aesthetics may be a matter of individual preference, however there’s no doubt that everyone responds to an attractive smile. acsm
Case Study Dr Nalbandian’s patient was diagnosed with advanced periodontal gum disease on the upper and lower jaw, which had compromised the structural support of her teeth. Dr Nalbandian replaced the missing upper teeth with six implants and performed some provisional bridgework to ensure the patient had full function, support, smile aesthetic and confidence. ‘Three months after the initial consultation impressions were taken of the implant position, similar to impressions taken for normal crown bridge work,’ explains Dr Nalbandian. ’Bridge work was performed on 12 teeth and implants were attached to the titanium roots. Results were immediate and the patient was able to walk out of the clinic smiling with confidence. We are now aiming for the same results on the lower jaw.’
Designer Smiles - Dental Health Sydney - Dental Implant