The Pros and Cons Of Living With Dental Implants

Dental implants are regarded as a ‘permanent solution for those craving a beautiful smile but missing one or more teeth. They require a talented dentist with years of experience and skills to ensure the best results. What are the pros and cons of having dental implants? Here is a detailed assessment of the pros and cons you will see.

Stable

The teeth are set permanently in place and will remain so as long as you maintain good oral hygiene and regular checkups with a dentist. This means you’re not going to fret over the teeth worsening and starting to loosen in your mouth. This alone is worth it for most people.

This stability is going to bring a smile to your face and is one of the biggest plus points you’re going to notice right off the bat.

Beautiful Smile

Most patients are going to report back stating how their smile is gorgeous and raises their self-confidence. It is one of the main reasons people get dental implants in the first place. 

Don’t Have To Remove Them

You don’t have to remove dental implants or worry about the teeth falling out. This can be worrisome for a lot of people. Dental implants are fixed into your jaw bone, ensuring you are good to go while eating or chomping down on something.

Feels Natural While Eating

When eating with dental implants, it’s going to feel just like it would with your natural teeth. This is one of the reasons why dental implants are highly sought after. With developing dental technology in this day and age, the implants are getting better and better.

The differences between natural teeth and dental implants are negligible when it comes to how one feels as they eat. 

Gum Irritation Is A Possibility

One issue some patients initially have is gum irritation. The implants are still situating themselves in the mouth even when they are solidly in place. This means irritation is a real possibility, however is easily addressed.

Cleaning Takes Time

Yes, these are as close to the real deal as possible, but cleaning is not going to be as simple as it would be with a natural set of chompers. You’ll have to spend a little more time cleaning around the implants to ensure they remain strong and free of plaque build-up. At just smile, we will show you the best way to care for your new dental implants. 

For a healthy and happy smile for life, book a dental implant consultation with Dr. Rammo at Just Smile and find out how we can help.

What are they?

Overdentures, or denture implants, are an excellent alternative to false teeth or dentures.

They are essentially a denture held in place on your jaw by two, or sometimes three dental implants.

Overdentures sit more securely on your gums than traditional dentures and are still removable. They snap in place using special attachments. That’s why you may have heard of them as ‘snap-on-dentures’.

Am I a candidate for Overdentures?

This treatment is for people that are or are about to be missing all their bottom teeth.  

Already missing all your teeth? The dentist will take a 3D x-ray to see if you have enough bone for placing dental implants.

Still have some remaining teeth but need them removed? The dentist will still take a 3D x-ray to locate any infection present. He or she clearing any infection before treatment begins.

What does the process for getting an Overdenture?

Your first consultation involves reviewing your dental & general health and a 3D x-ray. These determine if an Overdenture is suitable for your needs.

Then, your dentist will remove any teeth and treat any infection as necessary.

Your dentist will use the 3D x-ray of your jawbone to virtually place the implants; Allowing them to determine the size and placement of each implant before the surgery. You can see Dr Rammo performing this process in this video.

Your dentist then prints a 3D guide to ensure the correct placement of all implants. This process results in a higher chance of success, more comfortable experience and faster recovery.

You can read more about the procedure for placing dental implants here.

After placing the implants, they will need time to heal and integrate into your jawbone.  This process may take up to 3 months, in which time your dental implants are covered with a special ‘healing cap’.  Your dentist will adjust your dentures so they fit over the top of the healing caps. You can generally go back to wearing your normal dentures in a few days.

If teeth need to be removed beforehand, your dentist can provide an ‘immediate denture’ while your bone and gums heal.

When fully healed, your dentist places special attachments on the implants and inside your denture.  In some cases doing this at the same appointment.  

If adjustment is needed, your dentist will take an impression of your implants and the lab will manufacture a new denture.  This process may take up to two weeks.

What are the benefits of Overdentures?

• Enjoy wider varieties of your favourite foods.
• Improved speech. No loose dentures mean clearer speech.
• Improved self-confidence. Never worry about a denture mishap in social situations again.
• Less pain associated with mouth sores that develop from loose dentures.
• Less hassle of having to apply denture glue and adhesives.

What happens to your jawbone if you don’t have teeth or implants?

Once you lose your teeth, your bone starts to recede.  Why? Eating and chewing food stimulates the bone, keeping it healthy. When there are no teeth, your body decides that this bone is unnecessary and it starts to disappear.

Unfortunately, this affects your dentures fit, making them difficult to keep in place.  Ill-fitting dentures can increase the pressure on the jawbone and worsen bone loss.  Bone loss will vary from person to person, and there is no way to predict how much it will impact you.  

The good news. Having dental implants tricks the body into thinking teeth are present. This prevents further bone loss around the implants.

How much do overdentures cost?

The cost of Overdentures vary due to a few factors

• The type of implant used.
• The experience of the dental surgeon.
• The cost of the dentures from the lab.

If your existing dentures can be transferred to an overdenture, the cost can be as little as $5,000.  At justSMILE we also offer payment plans, deferring the cost of your overdentures over time.  

What if I want to replace my upper teeth?

Overdentures may be an option for some people to replace their upper teeth. Upper overdentures are made in a slightly different way to lower Overdentures. Dr Rammo will be able to answer any questions you have about replacing upper teeth.   

What are the alternatives to Overdentures?

Some alternatives to Overdentures that we provide at JustSMILE.

• Traditional Dentures
• All on 4

All on 4 is a great solution to replace all teeth and is fixed in the mouth and not removable.  Dr Rammo will able to advise you if All on 4 is a solution for you and answer any questions you may have about this treatment.

How do I look after my overdentures?

Keeping your implants and overdenture clean ensures the long-term success of your implants.  If food accumulates around your implants, your gums may get infected. This could lead to losing bone around your implants and the possible failure of the implants themselves.  Fortunately looking after them is quite easy.  

• Brush your implants, and around the rest of your mouth after each meal.
• Floss around the top of your implants, or wipe with a cotton swab.
• Soak your dentures overnight with denture cleaning tablets.
• 6 monthly dental check-ups.

Book a free Implant Consultation

A justSMILE we provide free dental implant consultations every Friday.  If you would like to book an appointment for a consultation, call us on 9529 7555 and speak to one of our friendly team.

Dental implants are one of the most effective tooth replacement options available today

Dental implants are made of titanium and act as an artificial tooth root. This is better for your oral health because not only does it provide a strong and sturdy foundation for an implant crown, bridge or denture; it also looks after the health of your bone.

When you lose a tooth the jawbone, which holds the tooth root in place, starts to shrink away. This process is irreversible and jawbone does not grow back. You can prevent this process from happening with dental implant treatment.

This treatment looks after the health of your jaw and your remaining teeth. How it looks after your remaining teeth is simple:

After you lose a tooth the teeth on either side of the gap start to shift. Eventually, this can cause a crooked bite which in turn can cause a misaligned bite.

By replacing just one tooth you can:

• Help to maintain a healthy jawbone
• Help to keep your teeth from shifting
• Help to prevent further tooth loss

Over time, and depending on the cause of tooth loss, one lost tooth can cause further tooth loss. For example: if you lose a tooth because of gum disease (and it is still the leading cause of adult tooth loss) then unless treated this problem will only get worse and you could potentially lose more teeth.

Additionally, if tooth loss isn’t treated the jawbone shrinks and can weaken the support around the teeth causing them to fall out.

Dental Implants Sydney

If you’re looking for a treatment which can replace a tooth, look after the health of your jaw and your bite, and last a lifetime, then dental implants are the solution for you.

Dr Rammo has been practising dentistry for many years and is proud to help justSMILE patients receive the care they need for their oral health.

Whether you need one tooth replaced or many, justSMILE has the treatments to help you.

To treat one missing tooth can take up to six months, depending on:

• Your general health
• Whether the lost tooth is in the upper or lower jaw
• Your body’s natural ability to heal
• Whether you smoke or not

Each of these factors can determine how quickly your body heals.

justSMILE works closely with patients to provide quality treatments

Whether you need dental implant treatment, wisdom teeth removal, cosmetic dentistry or root canal therapy, Dr Rammo at justSMILE has the treatment to suit your needs.

If you would like to know more about how justSMILE can help you, or to schedule an appointment, please contact us today.

How long do dental implants usually last?

When it comes to tooth replacement treatments, dental implants here in Ramsgate have been found to be one of the most successful and predictable dental treatments available on the market, but how long do dental implants last?

All around the world patients are opting for dental implants to replace their missing teeth. Factors that affect the lifespan of dental implants range from jaw bone density and oral hygiene, to lifestyle choices such as diet and smoking.

Find out if a dental implant treatment could be the best tooth replacement solution for you as we take a look into the success of dental implants and what could possibly affect how long your dental implant could last.

But first, what are dental implants?

Before we delve into how long dental implants last, let’s first take a look at what dental implants are. Here at JustSMILE in Ramsgate Beach, Sydney, we have created a short video explaining what dental implants are. Take a look below…

Dental implants are made up of two parts: a small metal implant that replicates the root of the tooth, and a crown that replicates the visible part of the tooth.

The treatment involves two stages: the implant placement stage where the implant is set into the place that the previous natural tooth sat. Once the bone and gum tissues have properly healed, the crown stage involves a strong porcelain crown being fabricated and attached to the dental implant root.

What could affect how long a dental implant lasts?

Over the past 40 years the use of titanium dental implants in dentistry as a method of replacing missing teeth has become common practice. Thanks to technological advancements and scientific research, we have found a way to replace teeth with the lowest possible chance of failure.

How long do dental implants last?

Once the dental implant has successfully bonded to your jawbone and healed appropriately, your dental implant can last a lifetime! However, it’s important to consider that from your first dental implant consultation until your last breath there are a lot of different things that could happen in-between that may affect how long your dental implant lasts.

1.       Jawbone density

This is probably one of the most common problem patients who visit inexperienced dentists. When you come to justSMILE here in Ramsgate Beach we will assess the density of your jawbone to make sure that you are compatible with the treatment. For patients who don’t have enough jaw bone to support the implant, a bone graft may be necessary prior to the implant treatment.

2.       Oral health

If you are not brushing twice and flossing daily, you risk the chances of getting gum disease and infection. When your gums become infected there is a chance that they may recede, exposing the implant and possibly causing it to come loose or infected.

3.       Lifestyle choices

The chance of an implant being successful and lasting the remainder of your days is greatly influenced by your smoking habits as well. Smokers are more likely to exhibit symptoms of gum disease which can affect the success of your dental implant. Other things such as pre-existing medical conditions, diseases, and implant misuse can also cause an implant to fail.

4.       The dentist’s dental implant technology and skills

The first thing to consider when choosing an implant dentist is how long your dentist been in the practice of providing dental implant solutions to patients. Here at justSMILE, Dr Rammo has had years of experience and spent a lot of time researching the most efficient, precise and gentle method of placing dental implants and fabricating dental crowns.

Dental implants Sydney

Now with NobelBiocare technology, Dr Rammo can walk you through the treatment process step by step prior to your appointment. This form of technology fabricates a computer aided-3D design of the treatment process. This way Dr Rammo knows the exact position and depth the implant needs to be before surgery, so your treatment will glide by smoothly.

Providing dental implants for patients from Sutherland Shire, Rockdale, Kogarah and Hurstville, Dr Rammo has all the dental implant technology and treatments under one roof.

For a healthy and happy smile for life, book a dental implant consultation with Dr Rammo at justSMILE and find out how we can help.