Decided oral implants are for you?

Decided oral implants are for you?

While it can be a somewhat intimidating prospect to undertake any kind of cosmetic surgery, oral implants, by far, offer those who have had them fitted more benefits than any facelift!

They are a modern alternative to traditional dentures and bridges and also offer patients the advantages of being immovable, feeling like real teeth and being matched to any remaining natural teeth in the mouth by size, shape, and colour; no one will know that they aren’t real!

However, while this incredible treatment offers so much to dental patients, it is important that before you attend your first appointment to discuss having dental implants in Sydney CBD, that you are aware of what the next few months will entail in relation to the consultations and the fittings. This article can fill you in on the basics of what you need to know!

Initial consultation

At your initial consultation for having dental implants in Sydney CBD, your dental practitioner will ask you about you and your family’s history, to assess lifestyle choices and susceptibility to jawbone degeneration.

X-rays and photographs of your teeth will be taken, followed by an extremely thorough dental examination. This, once again, is to check for any underlying issues like gum disease or tooth decay, which will require treatment before any implants are fitted.

If you have any questions or concerns about the implants being fitted, then this initial consultation is a good place to raise them.

The fitting

When you attend your dental surgery for the implant fitting, you will have an initial check-up to ensure there have been no changes to your oral health.

The area where the implant(s) are to be fitted will be numbed and the gum line will be pulled back, exposing the bone.

Your dentist will then drill a small hole into your bone and, once they are satisfied, the implant (which is a small titanium screw) will be attached to the jaw.

Once all of the implants are placed, your gum will be closed with dissolvable stitches.

The following months

Any discomfort you experience post fitting should ease in a few days and be manageable with over the counter painkillers; if at any point you are concerned about the level of discomfort you are feeling, see a dentist as soon as possible.

Before you are fitted with your new artificial tooth or teeth, your dentist will need to check that your jaw has grown around the implants, holding them firmly in place. The length of this process can vary from person to person but on average, most implants are secure at 3 months post fitting. To assess this, your dentist will need to take more X-rays of your jaw.

Once they are satisfied that your implants have not been rejected and are secure, you will finally get your new tooth or teeth. Usually made of hard metal, these are screwed to the exposed part of your new implant, leaving no visible gap.

Disclaimer

All dental treatments carry potential risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.