Dental implants; your questions answered

Do you want to learn more about oral implants but don’t know where to get the best advice about them? Look no further!

At High Dental, we know all there is to know about dental implants Melbourne and can ensure that if you come to us to have them fitted, we will do everything we can to make your experience as smooth as possible.

In this brief guide, we answer common questions we receive about dental implants Melbourne.

How long do they last?

Dental implants Melbourne are renowned for their longevity and, if you maintain them, they can easily last up to and over 15 years, with many patients still having their original oral implants in place 20 years after the original fitting.

What is the risk of infection?

The risk of infection after having oral implants fitted is minimal and, provided you maintain correct aftercare, your implants should fuse to your jaw without issue.

By correct aftercare, we mean brushing your new prosthetic teeth twice a day, flossing them, keeping an eye out for gum disease and of course, visiting our team every 6 months.

Immediately after the fitting of an oral implant, you should refrain from smoking, rinse the area with salt water to keep it clean and not apply any pressure to the area.

Are there any dangers associated with swallowing them?

There have been very few reported cases of patients swallowing oral implants.

But, if your implant was loose and you have accidentally swallowed it, it should pass through without issue, so don’t worry. But be sure to tell us so we can examine the reasons why it was loose in the first place!

If you have breathed in your implant (or fear you have), then you will need to seek urgent medical attention as this can cause problems in the lungs. Once again, the likelihood of this occurring is very rare and increases with the placement of mini implants.

Do they damage the bone?

It is exceptionally rare that oral implants will cause damage to the bone.

The idea behind the implants is to rebuild lost bone by means of osseointegration, which is basically where the bone bonds with the titanium implant and grows. But, there are rare cases where the implant may become infected and a condition called peri-implantitis can occur.

This is similar to gum disease, and like gum disease, it impacts both the gum and the bone. If left unchecked, it can cause the bone surrounding the implant to deteriorate, thus leading to the implant becoming loose and falling out.

So, no, only in exceptionally rare circumstances can an oral implant damage the bone it is attached to.

Do you require different implants for different teeth?

There are many factors that impact the implants used to fit a tooth.

The location of the implant is one, the size of the tooth or teeth being fitted is another and of course, the condition of the jaw is another.

So, in some ways, yes, you may require different implants to fit different teeth! But it is worth noting that the standard oral implant used is an endosteal implant, which is, in essence, a titanium screw that is attached to the jaw and needs between 3-6 months to fuse. If we determine through an X-ray that you require a different kind of implant (such as a subperiosteal or zygomatic) we will discuss this with you.

DISCLAIMER

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