Common FAQs about dental implants answered

It is an interesting reality that as many as 1 in 3 adult dental patients are missing one or more of their teeth.

And while this may not seem like such an issue if it is a molar tooth or located at the back, for many, having teeth missing at the front causes a serious issue with speech, appearance and of course eating food. In years gone by, the only way to correct the problem of a gap in your teeth was to have a bridge fitted but in recent years, oral implants have become more popular.

When you come to High Dental to have dental implants Melbourne fitted, we will first assess your suitability. Oral implants are fitted using surgery and in essence, are titanium screws which fuse to the surrounding jawbone over months and then prosthetic teeth are attached on top, making them ideal for correcting issues with eating food and appearance.

But before you consider if this is a suitable option for you, you will probably have some questions. In this article, our team answers 5 of the most common queries that we receive about dental implants Melbourne.

Does the fitting hurt?

In a word, no. When you come to our team to have dental implants Melbourne fitted, we will numb the area using a local anaesthetic. If you are a nervous patient we can also offer sedation options.

Once you are at home afterwards, there may be a slight soreness which many of our patients in the past have compared to dental extraction. We usually advise that our patients use paracetamol over ibuprofen or aspirin, as these can thin the blood and worsen bleeding.

How long does the fitting take?

The fitting of the oral implant itself takes around 1 to 2 hours per implant, so if you are having a set of implants fitted, then our team may want to break this up over several appointments. For more information on how long it will take for our team to fit your oral implants, please attend a consultation as then we can give a better guide.

Can anyone have oral implants fitted?

Unfortunately, no, not everybody is suitable to have oral implants fitted. When you attend the initial consultation with our team, we will need to conduct an oral health check to ensure that there are no active signs of tooth decay or gum disease. We will also need to ensure that your jawbone is strong and sturdy enough to be able to support implants which will be done using an X-ray.

Is there an upper age limit on implants?

No there isn’t, and provided that you have good oral health and a strong sturdy jawbone, people of any age can have oral implants fitted.

Of course, there is a lower age limit on oral implants and if you are under the age of 18, you will not be suitable for this treatment. This is because the jawbone has not finished growing and having implants fitted at this early stage could potentially cause long-term issues.

Do they last a long time?

Provided that they are cared for correctly, oral implants can easily last up to and over 20 years. Luckily, the aftercare is not too difficult and is comparable to looking after natural teeth. You’ll simply need to brush them twice a day, floss between the prosthetics and attend biannual check-ups with our team to ensure that gum disease is not setting in, as this can cause oral implants to come loose and fall out.

DISCLAIMER

All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.