Knowing a tooth cannot be saved or losing one or more teeth can be traumatic for people who worry the resulting gap will change their appearance, what they can eat, how they talk and their overall self-esteem.

Dental implants can offer a solution whereby that gap is not only filled, but the patient is able to enjoy the full function and appearance of their original teeth. As the implant is anchored into the jaw in the same way a tooth’s root is, any crown or bridge attached to that implant is more stable and long-lasting than dentures or a bridge secured to existing adjacent teeth.

At Dental Artistry we treat every case on an individual basis, but if we do consider that dental implants (for replacing single, multiple or a whole mouthful of teeth) are the best way forward, then the treatment is able to be carried out entirely by our team at our premises. This includes the initial consultation and preparation, through the surgery and restoration, to the implant maintenance and care that will ensure the implants last a lifetime.

So, who needs dental implants?

Implants are used for patients who:

  • Lose one or more teeth through trauma – for example, playing sports or in an accident.
  • Risk losing one or more teeth through infection, disease or the fracture of a root.
  • Have loose, ground down or crooked teeth and want to improve their smile.
  • Want to replace a crown, bridge or partial dentures with something more permanent.
  • Are unhappy with the appearance and feeling of their existing dentures.
  • Want a full-mouth reconstruction because of the appearance/condition of multiple teeth.

The effect of implants can be to:

  • Improve appearance, in terms of your smile, profile and overall shape of your face.
  • Improve overall self-esteem because they look and feel like your own teeth and, because they are fused to your bone, are a permanent feature.
  • Improve speech, comfort and ability to eat – especially for those who use implants to replace dentures.
  • Improve oral health, because their durability and stability make for easier cleaning.

How are dental implants fitted?

Consultation and planning. Because every patient is different, it’s important to ensure that implants are the best option for treatment. When replacing individual teeth, implants are Dental Artistry’s preferred choice, but that’s not to say they will suit everyone. Important factors to consider are:

  • Overall health. Smoking, for example, can affect the ability of the implant to fuse with the jawbone.
  • Health and position of jawbone to ensure implants can fuse.
  • Health and position of surrounding teeth to ensure implants fit and suit overall appearance.
  • Use of implants as part of overall treatment plan which might include other surgery, orthodontics and/or crowns.

Planning will also include mapping the patient’s mouth with X-Ray or CT scans to determine how the overall look will appear and calculate how the work will be carried out. For example, there are options to replace individual teeth with individual implants or anchor a four-tooth implant-retained bridge on two implants. It’s even possible to fix a whole jaw-load of teeth on four implants.

Procedures. After any required extractions are performed, dental implant surgery can be carried out in either one or two stages depending on what is needed and best for the patient.

Maintenance and care. To have successful dental implants a patient requires healthy gums and the right density of jawbone bone to support them. This is not just a pre-requisite of surgery, but a commitment post-surgery as well. Our expert team at Dental Artistry will help with a plan to ensure meticulous oral hygiene as well as regular checks to ensure the long-lasting success of the procedures.