FAQs About Oral Implants Answered

FAQs About Oral Implants Answered

When you have a gap in your smile as an adult, it is not seen with the same cuteness as the gap in the smile of a child. It can create concerns around self-esteem, speech, not to mention oral hygiene. If the gap is located near the front of the mouth, it can also create issues relating to professionalism and socialising.

Luckily, there is a way to conceal that gap permanently. And it involves the fitting of dental implants Bondi Junction. These devices visually resemble a titanium screw, which fuses to the surrounding jawbone in around 3 to 6 months. A set of prosthetic teeth are placed on top and the treatment is complete.

For many patients, this simply sounds too good to be true. So here are five key questions relating to oral implants answered, so you can learn about the procedure.

Are oral implants uncomfortable?

The fitting of oral implants is not uncomfortable. Your dentist will ensure that a general anaesthetic or sedation is used if you are a nervous patient. A local anaesthetic can be used if you wish to remain awake.

Once the implant is fitted and you are at home, you may notice a sensation similar to bruising or an oral extraction. This is normal but should be manageable with over-the-counter pain relief like paracetamol. If you notice that this sensation is worsening or is accompanied by a foul taste in your mouth, swelling or a feeling of illness, seek emergency treatment as you may have an infection.

Is everyone suitable for oral implants?

Unfortunately, no, not everybody is suitable for oral implants. As a standard, you have to be over the age of 18 and also have a strong and healthy jawbone which will be ascertained by your dental team via an X-ray.

Some other complications can make the fitting of all implants more difficult, such as genetic disorders like osteoporosis. However, the majority of patients are suitable for oral implants and even conditions like osteoporosis can be overcome, along with issues like jawbone density using bone grafts.

A bone graft will lengthen the overall treatment time but will increase the likelihood of success.

How long does the fitting take?

The fitting procedure itself can take between 1 to 2 hours per implant. Overall, the fusing time of the implant can take between 3 to 6 months depending on your age and general health. If after 12 months the implant has not fused to the surrounding bone, your dental team will remove it and consider it a failed treatment.

How long do the implants last

How long do the implants last? 

Once securely in place and fused, oral implants should last between 10 and 20 years. You will need to treat them like your regular teeth, however, with daily flossing, brushing and of course, visits to your general dental team for check-ups. You also need to keep an eye out for signs of gum disease as this can shorten the lifespan dramatically.

Do they look realistic?

The prosthetic teeth attached to oral implants do indeed look realistic and your dental team will be able to shade-match and size-match them to your surrounding teeth. So, nobody will be able to spot them.

DISCLAIMER OFFSITE

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

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