Fully functioning teeth are essential for a good quality of life. Thanks to advancements in dental care and dental implants for missing teeth, we don’t have to suffer the consequences of poor dental hygiene or injuries.
Dental implant surgery is one of the best solutions available to us today for missing teeth or teeth that have been badly damaged by periodontal disease. A titanium dental implant is placed at the very root, giving a strong foundation to the artificial tooth. This dental implant fuses with the bone so it stays put. With dental implants, you are able to carry on with life without suffering the loss of your tooth or fussing with dentures or bridges.
If you are thinking about getting dental implants in Auckland, there are a range of benefits.
Comfort, improved appearance and speech abilities
Dental implants are designed to behave just like your own teeth, so you hardly feel the difference. With dentures, there is always a risk that they won’t fit or will loosen over time, making them uncomfortable. Ill-fitting dentures can slip, causing you to have problems speaking clearly. But dental implants are fused right to your bone and are permanent. Your teeth after surgery will look just like your own so no-one will be able to tell. Since dental implants sit firmly in place, you don’t have to worry about them slipping or causing slurred speech. You can speak clearly and make yourself understood perfectly. These benefits go a long way in giving you back your confidence.
An easier routine
With dental implants, you can go about your day as you normally would, eating things you normally would. You don’t have to refrain from eating your favourite foods on account of your teeth. Unlike dentures, you are also saved the trouble of having to remove them before you go to bed and performing maintenance. Dental implants will behave just like your regular teeth and last for many years. With good care, they can even last a lifetime.
Improved your oral health
Individual dental implants are self-supporting. They don’t depend on the condition of the other teeth nearby. Unlike a tooth-supported bridge, dental implants don’t need your dentist to reduce your teeth on either side of the gap. This means that your natural, healthy teeth are left intact. This improves your oral health in the long term and gives you better access to the gaps between teeth during cleaning.
What is the success rate of dental implants? What factors could affect it?
Dental implants have about a 98% success rate and they can be done for anyone who is healthy enough to undergo routine oral surgery or a tooth extraction. All you need for surgery to implant permanent dental implants are healthy gums and enough bone so the implant can be fused on.
Those with heart disease, diabetes or other chronic and uncontrolled disorders will need be evaluated by their own dentists to assess their suitability for a dental implant procedure. This is also applicable for heavy smokers or those individuals who have had radiation therapy for the neck or head area.
Risks of dental implants
As with any type of surgery, there are risks involved. When it comes to dental implant surgery, the risks are minor and often easily treated. There is a risk of an infection forming at the site or injury to surrounding structures. If nerve damage occurs, this could cause pain, numbness or tingling in your natural teeth or the area around it. If dental implants that are placed in your upper jaw protrude into your sinus cavities, it can sometimes cause sinus problems. These risks are often considered very minor compared with the advantages dental implants can provide. The risks can be further reduced by choosing a dental practice, with experienced dentists, focused on dental implants.
When are dental implants covered by insurance?
For children up to the age of 18, general dental care in NZ is free, setting the tone for good dental health and a good relationship with their dentists. For adults, most insurance dental plans are add-ons to general health insurance. While they may help you with the costs of general dental care, most often these plans do not cover procedures like implants, each patient should check their personal policy with their insurer to see what’s covered. Dental insurance plans will help you with the expenses of routine dental work like X-rays, check-ups, cleaning and other day-to day dental care.
If you have had an accident that has resulted in a tooth requiring full replacement, this may be covered by health insurance or ACC.
Which dental insurance plans cover implants?
There are only a handful of firms in New Zealand that provide standalone dental insurance plans so the premiums may be high. You will have to check with the insurance provider whether these plans cover the dental implants cost in NZ. If you need medical attention due to an injury, the ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) helps you cover the costs of it.
New Zealand has some of the best dental practitioners in the world. With a great success rate and fantastic outcomes, the cost of dental implants in NZ is well worth the investment. Learn more about the costs of dental implants in New Zealand. Dental implant surgery can have a significant, positive impact on your life as it improves both function and appearance. Being able to replace missing teeth contributes to better oral health and prevents adjacent teeth from tilting or drifting. Dental implants are the most long-lasting and hassle-free solution for missing teeth.
If you’re having trouble with your teeth, make an appointment with us at Dental Artistry. For more information on dental implant surgery, check out the complete guide to dental implants in New Zealand from Dental Artistry.