The importance of visiting a qualified dentist
There are horror stories floating around of what happens when dental implants go wrong. More often than not however, it’s not so much the technology as the person using it. One story was about how a lady was complaining of sinus problems. It turned out that the dental implant she had had placed a year ago had travelled up into her sinus.
How is this possible? The dental implant was placed incorrectly. The actual titanium post was perfectly fine.
Another story is about how a man had major problems with dental implants—the dental crowns kept breaking or falling off and as his jawbone shrank the dental implants became loose. The problem with this story is nothing is said about what dental crowns were used—or why this patient was given dental implants if his oral health couldn’t support them.
A dental holiday perhaps?
The first thing people tend to think of when they read this story is “oh, it must be an overseas job.” – it wasn’t.
Placing dental implants properly
There are different types of dental implants and there are different levels of skill when it comes to dentistry. At Ironside Advanced Dental in Sydney Dr Ironside is a prosthodontist. This means he has undertaken extra training in dentistry and with our modern technology, systems and equipment we can carry out the dental implant treatment to the highest possible standard.
Dental implants and your jaw
If you are missing a tooth then you may be a suitable candidate for implant dentistry. Your jawbone density does play a significant role in whether or not you can have dental implants. If you do not have adequate jawbone density you may need a bone grafting procedure prior to treatment.
The procedure for dental implants involves surgically placing the implant—a biocompatible titanium post—in your jaw. A process is known as osseointegration then takes place: this is when your jawbone grows around and fuses with the dental implant. Once this process has finished, you’ll have a strong and sturdy artificial tooth root to attach either a dental crown or bridge.
Osseointegration can take between three to six months, and the length of this process will depend on your health, whether the implant is placed in the upper or lower jaw and if you do (or don’t) smoke.
One of the advantages of dental implants is that they can help maintain jawbone structure. When we bite we are applying pressure which stimulates jawbone growth. That’s one of the reasons why missing teeth cause jawbone shrinkage—less pressure stimulating the jawbone.
Why, ultimately, you’ll want dental implants over dentures
Dentures are effective and they do work; otherwise, dentists would not still be offering them.
Dental implants are usually the better option.
With dental implants, you don’t have to worry about dentures slipping and sliding around. Dental implants are more likely to stimulate jawbone growth, the dental crown or bridge attached to the dental implant will be colour-matched to the rest of your teeth so no one’ll be able to distinguish between your natural and artificial teeth. Of course it does depend on your specific dental health and the heath of your jawbone.
If you would like to know more about implant dentistry, and how Ironside Advanced Dental in Sydney can help you restore your oral health, contact us today.