Dental Implants in St Kilda

When you have jawbone that’s missing, isn’t thick enough or is too soft, we can perform bone grafting before the tooth implant surgery. This is important to build the base. Without it, there’s a chance of surgery failure.

Growth of the jaw typically continues until 18. In this regard, our dentists prefer a thorough consultation for teenagers. Adults can get dental implant treatment without any specific attention or advisory.

It depends on the overall oral health and the position of the implant on the jaw line. Furthermore, the complete procedure can take between 3 to 9 months. It also depends on the cosmetic results the patient requires.

At Chapel Gate Dental, we can provide dental implants in just four visits, including:

• Consultation, examination and planning the treatment
• Implant placement (screw insertion)
• Abutment placement and taking impressions
• Final crown placement

Immediate implant placement is possible if the oral health condition allows. Our dentists will check the overall condition after extraction to determine whether it’s possible or not.

In rare cases, implantation can fail. Misalignment, inaccurate impressions, infection, nerve damage, missing oral hygiene and other conditions can be the reason. If a tooth implant fails, our dentists will immediately remove the implant, cleanse the area, provide proper treatment and let it heal with. An alternative such as cosmetic dentures may be necessary.

A successful dental implant is completely dependent on the overall oral health of the patient. Dentists recommend quitting smoking, as it can create problems or stimulate existing gum issues. The risk of treatment failure remains as long as the patient continues to smoke.

People with good oral hygiene habits and no gum problems are suitable candidates for dental implants. However, if the patient has a chronic disorder, our dentists will need to review their medical history and provide consultation. If you’re a heavy smoker, use tobacco or have oral health issues, you should undergo a thorough examination.

If the patient has major dental coverage, it can help cover some of the costs. However, it’s unlikely that any dental policy will provide full coverage for dental implants. Consult with your insurance provider to learn more about your level of coverage.

The patient doesn’t feel any pain during the tooth implant surgery, as anaesthesia is given during the procedure. Pain increases as the numbness wears off. This pain may be felt not only in the jaw, but also in the surrounding area. As a preventive measure, our dentists will write you a prescription and advise you on which medications to take. Post-surgery pain may not be severe enough to warrant medication. Cold packs are also suggested to reduce pain and swelling.

As dental implants are not temporary or removable fixtures like cosmetic dentures or bridges, their success rate completely depends on the oral hygiene of the patient.

Our dentists can provide you with tips on maintaining good oral hygiene and caring for your dental implants. We recommend:

• Avoiding junk food, caffeine, sugar, cigarette smoke, tobacco, frozen or extremely hot food, toffees and anything else that can harm your oral health.
• Brushing your teeth twice a day with a good-quality soft brush.
• Organising routine dental checkups to keep an eye on emerging issues.

The lifespan of dental implants depends on many factors, such as hygiene maintenance, food habits, and nutrition. The average life of tooth implant crowns is typically between 10 and 15 years.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.