DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dental implants with implant supported crowns, bridges or dentures in most cases are now considered the gold standard for single and multi-tooth replacement.
Dental implants are titanium screws that replace and function as the new root of a missing or extracted tooth. They form a foundation for which a crown (cap) or bridge can be attached. The primary role of dental implants is to enable the restoration of appearance and function of teeth in both the upper and lower jaws. When planned, placed and restored correctly, they have very high success rate and excellent longevity.
Due to the biocompatible properties of titanium, a dental implant fuses (osseo-integrates) with the bone over the 3-6 months after its placement and becomes a stable platform for the replacement teeth.
Dental implants can be used to replace either single or multiple missing teeth. Additionally, implants can be used to stabilise and retain upper and lower fixed or removable dentures to prevent them moving during speech and chewing.
When teeth are lost, the bone supporting the teeth tends to reduce with time. If there is insufficient bone or soft tissue for the dental implant then bone and gum augmentation (addition) surgery may be indicated prior to implant placement. It is important to consider if an implant is going to be placed at the time of dental extraction (immediate implant) or as a delayed procedure as bone grafting and soft tissue grafting may have higher success rates when done at the time of dental extraction.
Only Specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are able to provide the full scope and widest option of both in-rooms and hospital based bone augmentation procedures and if insured you may have access to medicare rebates via your hospital private health insurance.
Anyone who is missing one or more teeth due to injury, disease or tooth decay may be a candidate for dental implants. The determining factors are the amount of available bone and the patient’s underlying medical history.
Dr Madden will work closely with your General Dentist or Specialist Restorative Dentist to create a treatment plan that will provide you with the highest quality aesthetic and functional result.
Please note that all surgical and oral surgical procedures entail risk including infection, bleeding, pain, permanent damage to surrounding anatomical structures including adjacent teeth, sensory nerves to the lip, gums and tongue.
Dental implants may fail due to surgeon planning and execution factors, restoring dentist planning, design and material quality factors and patient factors including medical conditions, gum disease, smoking, poor oral hygiene, heavy bite/bruxing habits, poor bone quality and long term failure to attend regular hygiene visits with dentist/ dental specialist.
Please review all written information provided at the time of your consultation and arrange follow up pre-surgical visits if there are aspects of treatment that are unclear.