Are dental implants right for me? Dental implants offer an innovative, long-lasting, and successful solution for tooth replacement, restoring chewing power, preserving bone, and providing stability. Advances in technology have improved success rates, making implants a preferred choice.
Radiant Smiles Dental Care, led by Dr Anand, ensures top-tier implant services with precision and care. This article will help you understand the dental implant process, risks, and options for dental implants in Perth, Australia.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are biocompatible fixtures, typically made from titanium or zirconia, surgically embedded into the jawbone. These implants act as roots for artificial teeth, offering a stable and durable base for dental crowns, bridges, or dentures. Unlike traditional dentures, dental implants function like natural teeth, providing aesthetic and functional benefits. Radiant Smiles Dental Care ensures that these procedures are performed with utmost precision and care.
Success Rates and Failure Rates of Dental Implants
| Parameter | Success Rate (%) | Failure Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Follow-Up | 97.3 – 100 | 0 – 2.7 |
| 3-Year Follow-Up | 97.1 | 2.9 |
| Average Worldwide | – | 3.1 |
| U.S. Average | – | 6 |
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Restore Chewing Power: With dental implants, you’ll be able to eat normally without dietary restrictions.
- Longevity: Your implants can last a lifetime with proper care and dental hygiene. The cumulative success rate at 1-year follow-up is between 97.3% and 100%, and at 3 years, it’s around 97.1%.
- Bone Preservation: Implants stimulate the jawbone, which prevents bone loss and maintains your facial structure.
- Stability: Replacing your missing teeth with a dental prosthesis like an implant can prevent adjacent teeth from shifting.
- Gum Health: Implants reduce the likelihood of gum disease because they fill gaps and eliminate food traps.
- Comfort: Unlike dentures, implants do not require adhesives and are more stable and comfortable.
Dental Implant Procedure Steps
1. Initial Evaluation
Your dentist will start with a comprehensive examination to assess your oral health and jawbone condition. This includes impressions, X-rays, and 3D imaging to plan the implant placement accurately. Your dentist will also review your medical history to ensure you’re a suitable candidate for the implant procedure. At this point, your dentist will develop and discuss your personalised treatment plan.
2. Tooth Extraction (If Needed)
If you have damaged or decayed teeth, they will be extracted. You will usually have tooth extractions done before your implants are placed; however, in some cases, your tooth extraction and implant placement can take place on the same day.
3. Bone Grafting (If Needed)
If you have insufficient jawbone density, you will likely need bone grafting. It’s worth noting that bone grafting is typically necessary for single implants, whereas All-on-4 or full arch implants may not need any bone grafting. The bone graft could be:
- Autograft (bone from your own body)
- Allograft (bone from a donor)
- Xenograft (bone from an animal)
- Synthetic (alloplastic) bone graft
The grafting site will need about 3 months to heal before you can proceed with your implant placement surgery.
4. Implant Placement Surgery
Your procedure will either be performed under local anaesthetic, IV sedation, or general anaesthesia. Your dentist will discuss these options with you before your surgery.
First, your dentist will cut your gum open to expose your jawbone. Then, your dentist will drill holes in your jawbone, where they will insert the implants. Next, the dentist will suture your gum closed. This surgery usually lasts 1 to 2 hours, but the total time will depend on how many implants you are having placed.
5. Osseointegration (Healing)
Osseointegration is the process where the implant fuses with the jawbone, and provides a stable foundation for your artificial tooth. This healing phase can take 3 to 6 months. Your dentist may suggest temporary dentures or bridges to be worn during this period. Notably, the average failure rate for a dental implant is around 3.1% worldwide, with a 96.13% survival rate observed over a study.
6. Abutment Placement
You’ll visit your dentist for check-ups over the next few months. Your dentist will check how your osseointegration is progressing. When your dentist is happy with your osseointegration, they will attach a metal connector called an abutment to the implant. This is a minor surgery, and is done with local anaesthesia. Your gums are then allowed to heal for a few weeks.
7. Placing the Final Restoration
To fabricate the final crown, bridge, or denture, your dentist will take impressions of your mouth. These are used to create custom-made prosthetics to match your natural teeth’s colour and shape. This final restoration is then attached to the abutment.
Dental Implant Recovery and Aftercare
Post-surgery, you may experience discomfort, swelling, and minor bleeding. Pain medications and antibiotics are often prescribed, and your dentist will let you know which over-the-counter painkillers you can take. You’ll also need to stick to a soft food diet during the initial healing phase. Remember that maintaining excellent oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups are both crucial for the long-term success of your dental implants.
Dental Implant Survival Rates
A study published in 2021 analysed the long-term clinical performance of more than 10,000 dental implants over 20 years in more than 4,000 patients. The researchers note the importance of maintenance and dental care in ensuring long-term success.
We’ve summarised the success and survival rates below:
| Duration | Implant Level (%) | Patient Level (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Years | 98.9 | 97.4 |
| 5 Years | 98.5 | 96.7 |
| 10 Years | 96.8 | 92.5 |
| 15 Years | 94.0 | 86.0 |
Advancements in Dental Implant Technology
Modern advancements have significantly improved dental implant procedures:
- 3D Imaging and Planning Software: Ensures precise implant placement
- Improved Materials: New implant materials and surface textures enhance osseointegration
- Minimally Invasive Techniques: Keyhole surgery techniques reduce recovery time
- Immediate Load Implants: Allow for same-day temporary restorations
Dental Implant Risks
While dental implants have a high success rate, certain risks and contraindications exist:
- Smoking can impair healing, so it’s best to quit before having dental implant surgery.
- Medical conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes and radiation therapy may affect the outcome and success.
- Surgical risks, although rare, include infection, nerve damage, and sinus problems if the implants are incorrectly placed or not looked after with the proper care.
- Implant failure may occur due to poor osseointegration or infection. For example, peri-implantitis (a common complication) has an incidence rate of 2–7.1% over 10 years.
Start Your Dental Implant Process Today
Dental implants offer a reliable and long-lasting solution for tooth replacement, with benefits that far outweigh the potential risks. Advances in technology continue to improve the procedure’s success rates, making dental implants a preferred choice for restoring oral health and enhancing quality of life. Radiant Smiles Dental Care is dedicated to providing top-tier dental implant services, ensuring patient satisfaction and optimal outcomes.
Dental Implants Procedure FAQs
What are sinus lifts?
A sinus lift is a minor operation that lifts the sinus floor to establish more bone for upper jaw dental implants. The sinus floor is the thin bone between the sinuses and the upper jaw. Bone loss in the upper jaw may lower the sinus floor, making the structure too weak to support implants. Bone height can be increased by a sinus lift (aka, sinus grafts or sinus augmentations) for implant placement.
What are ridge augmentations?
A ridge augmentation is a surgical technique that widens the alveolar ridge, which supports the teeth and gums. Due to bone loss, the alveolar ridge narrows, making dental implants difficult to place. A ridge augmentation can widen the bone for dental implants.
If you enjoyed this article, you may want to explore How long do Dental Implants Last?
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