What is a Dental Implant

What is a Dental Implant?

An implant is the artificial part(s) that will biologically replace the damaged or missing body part(s). In dentistry, implant(s) are used to replace the missing root(s) firmly in the jaw so that artificial tooth/teeth or other prosthesis can be secured and reproduce the natural usefulness of the dentition.

Dental Implants can provide some new treatment options by the well-trained modern dentist to his patients who are facing some of the missing teeth problems

The dental implant story

Dental implants are a form of dental treatment used to help replace missing teeth. Back in the “old days” of dentistry, when people lost their natural teeth for whatever reason, and the only way to replace the missing teeth was to use dentures. Obviously, dentistry has come a long way since then. Bondi Dental is one of the modern dental implant centres in Sydney, Australia that will use implants for the replacement of the removable dentures.

Although it is common in Australia for people to go through their whole lives without losing any teeth, sometimes teeth do become lost or need to be removed – whether due to advanced tooth decay, gum disease, biking or sporting accidents. Dental implants offer a strong, stable and natural-feeling method to help replace missing teeth.

Dental implants are used to replace the missing teeth’s roots in the jaw so that the artificial tooth/teeth or other dental prosthesis (such as bridge work) can be secured in place and reproduce the natural feel and functionality of the person’s full set of teeth.

Dental Implants can provide some new treatment options by the well-trained modern dentist to his patients who are facing some of the missing teeth problems

Why consider dental implants?

In the past, the only answer for patients with a missing tooth or teeth was either to provide the option of dental bridges or simply to use dentures, allowing patients to chew functionally and with an acceptable appearance. Both of these traditional types of tooth replacements have various drawbacks that can be avoided by using   dental implants.

Dental implants provide a solution for single tooth replacement and multiple teeth replacements.

Other advantages of dental implants are:

Advantages of dental implants

• Permanent solution for missing teeth. Dental implants last for many years – with proper care, they can last for a lifetime. 

• Natural fit and feel. Dental implants feel almost exactly like natural teeth. They allow people to chew, talk and smile normally.

Better appearance. Dental implants look so much like real teeth that even your friends and family probably will not be able to tell the difference.   In fact with good planning and skills, dental implants will improve your appearance.

• Convenience. Unlike removable dentures, dental implants do not have to be washed, rinsed or held in place with adhesives. Unlike bridgework, dental implants do not require any sensitive maintenance other than regular brushing and flossing as for natural teeth.

• Better oral health. Dental bridge work requires healthy teeth to be filed down in order to secure the artificial tooth in place. This can lead to potential problems in the future and also requires the patient to be extra cautious in maintaining the dental bridge.

With dental implants, these concerns do not apply. Healthy teeth do not need to be filed down in order to add dental implants; each missing tooth is replaced separately, without having to involve neighbouring teeth. The ease and convenience of dental implants creates immediate benefits for the patient and long-term advantages for better oral health.

Special Feature:

“Dental Implants work best for me”    

Lydia Leung

Before Dental Implants

In my younger days, good and healthy teeth were not considered top priorities. Only very basic treatments were provided for the relief of pain with minimal consideration given to the cosmetic aspects of dentistry. Some dentists either chose to ignore or did not recognize potential problems.

Extractions and dentures were the order of the day. Under these circumstances I lost a lot of teeth in my teenage years. A partial denture was provided until I was offered crowns and bridges to replace the missing teeth. There was an eight-unit bridge (where the denture was) on my right-hand side which was supported on three teeth. I now realise that it was under engineered and incorrectly designed. Even though they looked acceptable I was unable to chew properly.

During the Procedure

Not knowing what "Good Dentistry" is, and that better results could and should be achieved, this solution seemed to work. At least I no longer had to wear a denture.

Years later, one of the underlying teeth of the eight-unit bridge began to decay and an abscess formed. The root had fractured. A new bridge is no longer an option. I have a very high lip line when I smile, a partial denture would be most undesirable.
I was then recommended to see Dr. Andrew Sih to assess my case and my personal needs.

Dr. Sih and his team of professionals did a lot of careful planning, discussing various treatment options prior to finalising my treatment plan to ensure the best possible results, both cosmetically and functionally.

“Dr. Sih also explained that pleasing cosmetic dentistry requires crowns with varying degrees of translucency; that the colour should be natural and match the rest of the teeth. The teeth should follow the "smile line" of the mouth; the gum line should be "scalloped" and the shapes of the crowns should not appear bulky, pearly & so on...”

A recommendation was given to have the damaged root removed, and dental implants and new crowns put in to replace all the missing teeth and faulty crowns. Due to heavy bone loss in certain areas, bone grafting was also required.
I must say that I am very happy with the results.

After my Dental Implants

Now I love to smile, feel very confident with myself and most of all, I can truly, fully enjoy my food because the dental implants are strong, as good as my real teeth, if not better and they do not decay.

I can chew better and my health has also greatly improved! How I love my dental implants and my teeth for life!
                                                                                                               
 

If you have missing tooth/teeth and would like to restore your good look and chewing functions, contact Bondi Dental and make an appointment with Dr. Andrew Sih now.  Our phone no. is 1 300 988 010.