Mawson Dental Care

Dental Implants

Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

This page is intended to answer some of the questions you may have regarding dental implants.
 

1. What are dental implants? What are dental implants? Dental implants are screws made of a medically pure Titanium metal. The screws are placed in the jawbone where teeth are missing. It may be necessary for the implanted screws to rest for 3 to 6 months to become properly fixed to the jawbone, a term known as Osseointegration. After the appropriate healing time, the top of the implanted screw is uncovered for a fabricated tooth to be attached by using either a cementing agent or a tiny screw.
    
2. How long have implants been used in dentistry? Dental implants have been available for many years. The OSSEOINTEGRATED IMPLANTS currently in use today were developed from research performed on bone healing in the early 1960ís by Professor Per Ingvar BrÂnemark, a Swedish Orthopaedic Surgeon.
    
3. I understand they originated in Sweden? Is there a difference between the different implant manufacturers? Federal Departments governing manufacture and use of health related products regulate all implants in use throughout the world. Originally, the only system available was the Nobelpharma® BrÂnemark implant, now known as the Nobel Biocare®. Today, there are numerous implant companies in use on a daily basis, and all of these companies must meet very stringent requirements. Your dental team will choose the system that is best for you.
    
4. What are implants made of? Implants are made of commercially and medically pure Titanium. This is the same metal that has been successfully used in hip implants for many years. Titanium is not known to cause any type of rejection phenomenon and therefore classified as inert.
    
5. How complicated is the surgery? Implant surgery is dependent on your individual general, bone and oral health. The procedure may involve only one surgical phase or up to three surgical phases. The most common would be the two-stage surgery. The first stage involves the placement of the implants into the jawbone. This is most commonly done with local anaesthesia. It is complicated only in the sense that the surgery requires great precision.  Stage two involves the uncovering of the implants after they have integrated (fused to the bone). This is a relatively minor procedure. In both instances, post-operative discomfort is usually minimal. You will be given the appropriate antibiotics and analgesics just as a precaution. Very important post-operative instructions will be given to you at the time of surgery. If you follow the guidelines, everything should proceed without complications.
    
6. Can implants be rejected? Implants are made of an inert metal, which is not known to cause any rejection phenomenon like that of a living organ such as the lung, liver or heart. Implant failure can occur from post-operative infections, poor systemic health and mechanical load. Implants have an 85 to 95 percent success rate depending upon factors that are evaluated before any implants are placed. If you have any questions regarding this or any other aspect of the implant process, please ask the dentist.
    
7. If I lose several teeth, do they each have to be replaced with a separate implant? No. Although implants simulate the roots of teeth, biomechanically one implant can be used to replace one or more teeth. This will depend upon the functional requirements of your chosen restoration. At your consultation the dentist will discuss the various treatment alternatives and the type and number of implants that are needed in order to fulfil the treatment objectives.
    
8. What about infection and complications? During the surgery every attempt is made to maintain a totally sterile field. This is essential to minimise any potential for post-operative infection. The dentist will prescribe the appropriate antibiotics as a precautionary measure and the necessary post-operative instructions. Once the implant therapy has been completed with your fixed restoration, it is imperative for you to maintain meticulous oral hygiene. Success very often depends on your cooperation and homecare efforts.
    
9. What types of restorations can be placed on implants? The answer to this question depends upon your treatment objectives. This can vary from simple removable dentures, using the implants for retention, to totally fixed (non-removable) implant supported porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns and bridges. Implant bridges can be either removable or fixed depending upon the number of implants. We have the ability to replace single or multiple missing teeth to return the mouth to a biologically healthy and aesthetically pleasing state.
    
10. Will I be able to chew and function normally? Yes. The dentist will construct the restoration to give you the best function possible. Implants are very rigid, unlike natural teeth that move slightly as we chew. This difference may or may not be noticed and will depend upon the type of restoration you and the dentist have chosen.
     
11. How long is the entire implant process? The time taken for the implant to integrate varies. Once the dentist confirms full integration in the bone, the restorative phase can be initiated. This may take several visits to complete depending upon the complexity.
     
12. What is the cost? The cost of implant dentistry is based upon a combination of the surgical phase and the restorative phase. Your total treatment fee will depend upon the number of implants and the complexity of your final restoration.

This brief explanation is intended to help answer some of your questions regarding implant dentistry. The dentist will be happy to discuss any of these questions with you at your consultation.