580 Glen Huntly RoadDental implants Melbourne and the healing process
Missing teeth have a big impact on the rest of your life. The situation affects the health of your remaining teeth and it affects the appearance of your smile. It gives you an aged appearance and it can affect your self-esteem. Many patients report that after losing their teeth they develop social anxiety. Therefore it is important to address your missing teeth before they can affect you in this way. There are different options available for you and over the last few decades the most popular tooth replacement procedure has become dental implants Melbourne. 
It is a standalone procedure which means it does not affect your adjacent healthy teeth. Dental implants Melbourne are small titanium screws that incorporate into the bone and act as a root for the missing tooth. Dental implants Melbourne are the most popular, long-term and predictable option for replacing missing teeth. One thing to remember with dental implantation is that it can be a lengthy procedure. However it is very worthwhile.
Bone grafting
Firstly, if you have a missing tooth or you undergo a tooth extraction then you may need a bone graft. A bone graft is carried out to restore the jaw after bone decay. This is common after tooth loss and the longer you wait to replace your missing tooth the more likely it is that you will need to undergo grafting. If you need a bone graft then this will take approximately 3 months to heal before you can undergo dental implant surgery. It is important that you visit the dentist on a regular basis and look after your teeth to prevent any infections.
Dental implant surgery
The surgery itself is carried out in one day and then a healing process known as osseointegration will begin that will make sure the implant is Incorporated firmly into place. The process of the implant becoming incorporated into the bone takes between 3 and 6 months depending on your body’s ability to heal. During this time our dentist will make sure that the process is coming along successfully. Once you are ready to replace the tooth you will need an abutment. The abutment is attached to the head of the implant and it is fitted with a crown.
There are different implant systems to replace your missing tooth or teeth. You can have a single implant to replace one missing tooth or adjacent missing teeth. Some patients require a sinus lift to strengthen their mouth. This is an invasive procedure and would require additional healing time. Sometimes the entire procedure can take between 9 months to a year for the final prosthesis to be attached to your mouth.
As you can see dental implants are not a quick fix. Bone healing takes time and you need to give your body the opportunity to adjust to the titanium, but once this has occurred you will have a replacement tooth or set of teeth that will look and feel like your natural dentition. They will allow you to eat and drink as you wish, restore the appearance of your smile and permit you to feel confident once again. Speak to us at High Dental Implants today and find out more about replacing your missing teeth with dental implants.
Disclaimer: All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.