Dental Implants
Dental Implants Applecross
Dental implants are titanium fixtures (like a screw) that are placed into the jaw to replicate a missing tooth root.
The implants can then be used to anchor one or more artificial teeth to it.
These titanium implants have a specially designed roughened surface to encourage “osseointegration” within three to four months after insertion.
Osseointegration is when your bone grows onto the implant’s surface allowing it to fuse into your jaw bone like your old tooth root.
When it is deemed safe to do so, a single tooth crown or multiple tooth bridge can be screwed into the hollow centre of the implant using a specially designed retention piece called a retention screw.
This screw (or multiple screws for a bridge) will be hidden at the back of your new tooth and covered with a plastic composite material for comfort. This material can be easily removed should your crown or bridge require any maintenance cleaning or replacement over time.
When is a dental implant used?
There are many causes for teeth to be removed. These can range from disease, trauma to congenitally missing teeth. In any event, the technology exists for the replacement of missing teeth that closely resemble natural teeth in both their appearance and function.
Some people are born missing some teeth. These “congenitally” missing teeth can be replaced at adulthood when the jaw has completed its growth. It is not uncommon for “baby teeth” to last into early adult hood without falling out.
Unfortunately it is very uncommon for these teeth to last a lifetime due to several factors including decay, breakage, root resorption and intrusion into the jaw. If a person is diagnosed with not having an adult tooth to erupt in the baby tooth’s place, it may be practical to start planning implant placement for the future.
Some people may have had all of their teeth removed many years ago as this was not an unusual practice even as recently as 35 years ago. Unfortunately over time, the missing teeth in their jaw will allow serious bone resorption by the body and allow the whole face to collapse.
There is little to hold up the dentures and these people generally have a very poor quality of life. It is often not thought of when choosing the option of a denture that in the near future diet and lifestyle will need to be significantly changed due to the inability to chew certain foods, speech changes and needing to remove dentures at night.
Implants are therefore a way of improving the appearance and function back to how nature intended.
Why should I treat a missing tooth?
Do you know all of the side effects of leaving a missing tooth site once a tooth has been removed?
To understand the long term side effects of leaving a missing tooth, we have inserted below a diagram with corresponding numbered information:
1. Teeth shifting out of position
Teeth either side will slowly tip into the empty space and require extraction. Orthodontic treatment may be required to bring teeth back to their correct position
2. Bone loss
The body will naturally absorb bone in the area of the missing tooth starting from the time of extraction.
Bone loss from multiple missing teeth can change the shape of the lower third of the face and create a sunken profile with thinner lips.
Denture wearers must constantly have dentures made thicker as bone loss continues
3. Food packing, decay & jawbone disease
as the teeth either side of the missing tooth tilt into the empty space, it opens gaps in between the surrounding teeth, allowing for food to get caught.
Food packing areas significantly increase levels of bacteria which can eat away the enamel (decay) and burrow under the gums, eating away the jaw bone (gum disease)
4. Loss of opposing tooth
The reason our teeth do not grow longer is that they are designed to stay in place by biting down on the opposite tooth.
If there is no longer an opposing tooth to bite on, a tooth will naturally start growing out of the jaw bone and require extraction
5. Jaw joint problems & worn teeth
Our jaw is engineered to function correctly when the weight of the bite has force distributed through the back teeth.
As back teeth are lost, the force is taken through the front teeth, causing strain on the jaw joint and excessive enamel wear on the front teeth.
Front teeth are left vulnerable to fractures and breakages
6. Jaw muscle problems
Due to changed distribution of force when the back teeth are missing (as described above) teamed with localised bone loss, jaw muscles will naturally try to overcompensate during chewing and talking.
Patients experience pain in the jaw and cheeks.
How do I know if a dental implant is right for me?
It is important when deciding on having a dental implant treatment that you make yourself aware of all of the intricacies that are involved in its placement and aftercare.
To help provide some more detailed information, we have created a printable fact sheet to help you decide if implant placement is right for you: Click to download our dental implant placement fact sheet
For our Applecross patients who have had implants placed, our Dental Implant Post Operative Information Sheet is now available on line for your convenience: Click to download our Dental Implant Post Operative Information Sheet
Dental Implants in Applecross
At Epsom Dental Care Applecross, we aim to deliver quality dental implants that help improve not only the appearance and function of your smile but also boost your self-confidence.
Visit your Applecross dentist today!
Book your dental implants consultation in our Applecross office today — simply contact us online or call (08) 9316 0555.
We are located at 729 Canning Hwy in Applecross WA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a missing tooth need to be replaced?
What are dental implants?
Who is a good candidate for dental implants?
Gallery of Dental Implants in Applecross
Example of amalgam filling cracking a tooth
Example of bone loss from extracted teeth
Example of implant bridge to correct collapsed bite
Example of a lower implant bridge
Example of upper and lower implant bridges
