Implants are a non-removable (permanent) tooth replacement option. The health and successful function of your implant relies on your oral health. Medical conditions and some life style habits may change your eligibility or requirements for implant treatment. Therefore a diagnosis from an experienced and qualified implantologist is essential before you commit to surgical treatments. For more non clinical information on implants please contact our practice treatment coordinator.

For more clinical diagnosis and information on implants, please contact our practice for a 3D scan appointment with Dr PJ Power.

Implants may be completed in a single appointment or a course of appointments and time. As implants are surgically placed in bone, healing phases are essential. This time allows your bone to integrate to the implant fixture and ensure the strength and function of the prosthetic tooth that will be attached to the implant.

Your clinical diagnosis appointment is the key to understanding your implant journey as it will be unique to you. We offer different temporary options during implant healing phases to ensure you are not without teeth at any time during your treatment. Our practice treatment coordinator is available for complimentary non clinical discussions about possible implant treatment.

Benefits:

• Function like natural teeth once restored meaning there are no dietary restrictions once placed.
• Improve ability to eat and therefore improves general health and wellbeing.
• Are a non-removable replacement option for one tooth, multiple or a full arch of teeth.
• Are natural in appearance.
• Improve confidence.
• Recovery time from treatment is short and does not require special changes to your lifestyle.
• Implant maintenance is simple and maintained with good oral hygiene techniques and routine examinations.
• Restore and enhance facial contours previously lost through missing teeth.
• Are stabilised by the implant fixture to function independently and therefore do not rely on the structural alteration of healthy natural teeth to support function.
• The prosthetic tooth attachment is strong, durable and stain resistant. Replacing the prosthetic crown for any reason is easily attainable without replacing the entire implant.

Disadvantages.

• Are a surgical procedure.
• Due to the healing phase required, implants are not always an immediate replacement option such as a denture.
• Financially requires more upfront commitment. Alternative treatment options may be more affordable initially. As changes occur naturally in our mouths as we age, alternative treatments may need to be replaced in time. The replacement costs of these treatments long term are comparative to your implant treatment fee as implants do not require replacement.
• The same as alternative dental treatments, prosthetic teeth are matched to the colour of your natural remaining teeth to ensure a natural appearance. Changing the colour of the tooth requires remaking the crown.

Sinus Lift surgery is a separate procedure to your implant placement to improve your eligibility for implant placement. It may be completed during your implant placement appointment or prior to your placement appointment. Our sinus is a soft membrane filled with air and are located above our upper jaw. When teeth have been missing for an extended time period the bone in this area diminishes in height as it is no longer active in supporting the root of a tooth.

With less bone in the area, your sinus may become enlarged or descended and move down into this space. With this space now occupied by the sinus, there is no room to place an implant. Sinus lift surgery restores and improves sinus location to a natural position with a gentle lifting procedure. Bone is then placed to secure the sinus placement.