What are the benefits of dental implants?

Aesthetics

Dental Implants look and feel like your own teeth; no one will ever know that you have replacement teeth. When teeth are missing, the surrounding bone begins to shrink and eventually your jawbone will recede. Dental implants can prevent deterioration of the jawbone caused by loss of teeth and your face will retain its natural shape.

Saving Existing Teeth

Dental implants do not sacrifice the quality of your adjacent teeth like a traditional bridge. More of your own teeth are left untouched, an important long-term benefit to your oral health.

Confidence

Dental implants will allow you to once again speak and eat with comfort and confidence. The permanence and the strength of the implant and attachment can alleviate many of the problems that individuals may have experienced with dentures, particuarly slipping and loosening.

Reliability

Bribie Dental uses and recommends Innova Endopore® Implants. Worldwide. Innova Endopore® implants are extremely successful. If you maintain good oral health, your implants could last a lifetime. Further, because of their small size and excellent osseointegration properties, Innova Endopore® implants can be used in many situations that do not accommodate conventional implants. Using Innova Endopore® implants can also eliminate the need for expensive and painful bone grafting procedures.

Are dental implants right for me?

If you have one or more missing teeth and generally good oral health, you are a likely candidate for an Innova Dental Implant. A consultation with your dentist will clarify what type of treatment you require.

What is involved in the implant procedure?

Once you and your doctor have identified your treatment plan, having a dental implant placed can be as simple as 1-2-3.

Step 1

An Innova Dental Implant is placed into your jawbone. The implant replaces the natural tooth root and provides structural support.

Step 2

Once the implant has integrated into your jawbone, in a simple procedure, the implant is uncovered and a post is attached to it. Impressions (models) of your upper and lower jaw are taken and sent to a laboratory for the creation of your new tooth/teeth.

Step 3

Your new tooth/teeth are attached to the implant posts and are fully functional.

What should I expect after treatment?

Dental implants will require the same care as your natural teeth. In order to keep your implant healthy, proper brushing and flossing still apply!

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant can be thought of as an artificial tooth root that is submerged into the jawbone. When dental work such as a crown, fixed bridge, or a full set of dentures is added, one or more missing teeth can be replaced. A dental implant is fabricated from a very strong material that is compatible with your body and is placed in a simple office procedure which generally is no more inconvenient that a tooth extraction. After an initial healing period during which the implant is buried in bone and left undisturbed under gum tissue, it is uncovered and connected to a small metal post that secures and supports the artificial teeth.

The Endopore™ implant is one of the shortest and easiest to place dental implants. It is also one of the most secure as bone grows into a 3-dimensional honeycomb network on its surface to integrate it with the bone.

What makes dental implants the treatment of choice?

Dental implants are like a third set of teeth. They feel much more natural and secure that traditional removable denture plates, especially if these are loose fitting because of extensive bone loss. If several adjacent teeth are missing, a fixed bridge may be attached to dental implants as an alternative to a removable partial denture plate. Dental implants allow for the replacement of a missing tooth without having to modify adjacent teeth. Your dentist will be happy to discuss alternatives for restoring your dental function with you.

Is a dental implant complicated to place?

The simple answer is "no", provided that sufficient bone is available to accept the implant. The procedures can all be done in the dental office using only local anaesthesia commonly used in dental procedures.

In the first stage surgery the implant root component is inserted into the bone site.

This surgery generally takes about 60 minutes to complete. After 10 days the stitches are removed and the buried implant is allowed to heal for about three months. During this time, bone grows into the implant surface to secure it.

The second stage surgery is very simple and lasts only about 30 minutes. During this stage the buried, secure implant is uncovered using a small incision in the gum tissue. A post is attached to the implant until the final prosthesis is complete which can take as little as 2 weeks.

There is minimal discomfort associated with either of the surgical steps, certainly no more that having a tooth extracted, and usually less. Your dentist can prescribe medication to easily relieve this. Within a few weeks your new prosthesis will be in place and you can begin to enjoy the improved appearance, dental function, and quality of life provided by the Endopore™ dental implant treatment.

What choices are possible with the Endopore system?

The Endopore™ Implant system is extremely versatile and can provide patients with restorations such as the following:

* One implant with a crown can replace a single missing tooth

* Endopore™ implants and prosthetic components can be used to support a fixed bridge, to replace any number of missing teeth, by either connecting to other implants or adjacent teeth.

* A removable full denture in either the upper or lower jaw can be supported by both implants and gum tissue.

* Jaws missing all of the teeth can be restored with complete fixed bridges removable only by your dentist.

Who can have a dental implant?

There are very few medical reasons why you may not be a candidate for having Endopore™ implant treatment and your dentist will discuss these with you if necessary. The major limiting factor in determining whether there is sufficient bone remaining to accept the implant. An estimate of the bone quality can be determined with special x-ray examinations. Because Endopore™ implant is one of the shortest implants available, it can be used in sites where other implant designs cannot.

How long will my implants last?

Studies suggest your implants will have a long life once they have been integrated with bone, however, each patient is different and it is impossible to predict dental implant life with any certainty. Factors thought to affect how long implants will last are your overall health, nutrition, oral hygiene and whether you use tobacco. Other factors are your anatomy and the design and construction of the restoration placed on the implants to restore the dental function.

What do dental implants cost?

Because each patient's treatment need is unique, your dentist will discuss the cost of your individual dental treatment plan. Generally speaking, the cost of treatment with Endopore™ dental implants is comparable to other restorations involving fixed bridgework.