If you have missing teeth, it can be difficult for you in many ways. You may have difficulty eating the foods you love and be embarrassed to smile. Your self-esteem may suffer because you don’t like how you look, which can lead to mental health concerns or cause you not to engage in social activities. In addition, your bone health can suffer if you don’t replace your missing teeth, and your remaining teeth can shift toward the gaps in your mouth, potentially causing several other concerns. At Clifton Hill Dental, we want you to enjoy life, be confident when you smile, and experience excellent oral health, so we offer the latest dental implant technology to help you do just that.
What Is a Dental Implant in Clifton Hill?
A dental implant is a tooth replacement procedure wherein your dentist places a titanium post into your jaw; this post acts as the tooth’s root. Once your jawbone and the post have integrated and healed, your dentist will place an abutment, a type of connector, on your post and then place a dental crown, bridge, or denture on top of it to complete the implant procedure.
What Types of Dental Implants Do We Offer?
At our dental clinic, we can replace a single tooth with a dental implant. However, if you need to replace several missing teeth or an entire upper or lower arch, All-on-4® dental implant treatment concept might be a viable option. The All-on-4 dental implant process requires four posts to be placed in your upper or lower arch. Your dentist will determine the areas of greatest bone density and put the posts in those areas.
If your bone structure needs additional support, you may require bone grafting before your posts can be placed.
All-on-4 dental implants are also known as implant-supported or partial implant-supported dentures, depending on how many teeth are being replaced.
Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants in Thornbury?
Before we can create a treatment plan for your dental implant procedure, you will need to visit our office for a consultation to determine your candidacy for dental implants. We will discuss your health history and medications during the consultation. Next, we will take a complete set of x-rays to determine if your jawbone has deteriorated because of tooth loss. Once these determinations have been made, we will discuss whether you require bone grafting or a sinus lift to prepare you for your dental implant procedure. Finally, you and your dentist will discuss your treatment plan, including the timeline for the procedure and the cost. You can ask any questions and leave your consultation confident in the process.
What Are the Steps to the Dental Implant Process?
Your dental implant process takes place in three separate steps; these steps are as follows:
1. Consultation – As described above, you will meet with your dentist to determine whether you are a candidate for dental implants.
2. Implant placement – Your dentist will perform the implant placement. Since you will be under anesthesia, you will not experience pain; however, you may feel pressure or movement in your mouth.
3. Integration and restoration – After a few months, your new tooth “roots” will fuse to your jawbone. Once this process is complete, your dentist will place your crown, bridge, or implant denture, and you will immediately enjoy your new smile and the ability to eat what you want again.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
Besides restoring your confidence and smile, dental implants are:
- Maintenance-free
- Long-lasting
- Secure
- Strong
- Natural-looking
Are You Considering Dental Implants in Clifton Hill?
We welcome your call if you are interested in dental implants in Thornbury or Clifton Hill. At Clifton Hill Dental, we strive to help you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile. Please call us on (03) 9482 6263 for more information.
