For those who have had dentures for years, they may believe that it is not possible for them to take advantages of all the benefits that fitting dental implants in Melbourne can offer.
This is because once teeth have been removed, adjoining jawbone recedes as it is no longer stimulated nor utilized to its full efficiency and nutrients can be needed elsewhere.
For those who have serious degradation of their jawbone, they may not be able to benefit from an implant as the jawbone and gums need to be in a healthy condition in order for the procedure to take place.
What is this procedure?
By inserting a metal rod into the site of a missing tooth, a crown or bridge can be realistically positioned to replace the original tooth. It is a more natural and long term treatment that, if properly cared for, can last a lifetime.
The metal screw essentially acts just like a root tooth and is the main component of the procedure. There are many options available, whether the treatment be for one missing tooth, several or for a whole set.
Several screws do not need to be positioned for people who have several missing teeth. 4 teeth can be held on to a single false tooth root as long as they are adjoining teeth.
For people who have a complete set of dentures, there are options available to have an all-on-four procedure done, whereby all of the teeth are held on securely and tightly with the need for only four screws to be inserted.
Depending on each individual patient’s quality of health and the work required, the abutments can be positioned and added on the day or surgery or after a healing period of between 6 to 12 weeks.
What about patients who have substantial bone loss? Can they benefit from these treatments as well?
Yes! Of course they can, thanks to procedures such as bone grafting and sinus lifts which allow a dentist to have enough bone to work with and the patient to have the strength in their jawbone to carry the teeth and fuse with the rod in order for it to become a strong and lifelong addition to the mouth.
Bone grafting is a routine operation that is usually done in the hospital and requires bone for the grafting from either the chin or the hip. Tissue from other animals or synthetic tissue can be used, but generally the bone is most accepted from a patient’s own body.
The bone will be inserted with the jaw and over time will mesh and fuse with surrounding tissue, providing for a strong site for an implant to be inserted.
A sinus lift is similar to a bone graft, with the need for CT scans and other digital examinations to take place to ensure the patient is a viable candidate for the procedure.
A dentist will provide their patients with the best options available for them personally so that they are able to enjoy a quality of life again.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
