Dental Implants

The “implant fixture” is a prosthetic device that is inserted into the jawbone to provide permanent support for either a crown, a fixed bridge or a removable prosthesis (denture). In effect, it replaces the root parts of a tooth.

Crowns or bridges can then be attached onto the implant fixtures to form the tooth-replacement system.

The thought of having a small titanium screw put into bone sounds like it would be painful; the truth is quite the opposite. Inserting the tooth implant can be relatively easy and most of our patients experience no pain during the surgery and very little discomfort afterward.

Even dentures can be constructed over the denture implants to form very stable and comfortable replacements of a number of missing teeth or even all the teeth. These are known as ‘overdentures’. They are a successful and far more economical option compared to multiple implant-supported fixed bridges.

• First visit

Pre-planning is essential to achieve a successful result. We may spend between 30 minutes to one hour during this initial consultation.

During this visit, X-rays are taken, as well as an intra-oral scan. We then provide you with a referral for a CAT scan which can be taken just down the road, opposite the St George Private Hospital on South Street, Kogarah. The cost of the CAT scan is approximately $100 out-of-pocket, but it provides us with essential information (It helps us determine where the new replacement teeth will be placed, exactly where the implants will be placed in the bone to support the teeth, and the bone quantity and quality into which they will be inserted).

During this visit we may also take moulds of the top and bottom teeth, a bite registration if required, and photos to gather as much information as possible. In this way, we have everything we need before we place the implant fixtures on the day of surgery.

While almost all implants are placed using local anaesthesia, mild apprehension can be relieved with sedative or anti-anxiety pre-medication. During this visit, we may also prescribe appropriate antibiotics to take prior to the day of surgery and make sure you have a chlorhexidine based mouth rinse to use after the procedure.

• Second visit

This visit is called the “surgical phase” and may last between one to two hours depending on the number of implants that need to be placed. With the use of digital dentistry, in most cases we are able to insert the dental implant using key-hole surgery. This means no stitches and faster healing.

After appropriately numbing the area, we proceed to insert a specifically sized titanium screw or “titanium fixture” that best fits the area we are replacing into the jaw bone. The healing process is usually accompanied by the continuation of antibiotics and appropriate pain-killers.

While the implant fixture is healing, an appropriate “healing abutment” or cover is placed to help protect it. In cases where the implant is replacing a front tooth, we endeavour to place a temporary tooth over the healing implant fixture, giving you the ability to walk out of our surgery with confidence and a feel similar to your original tooth.

X-rays are taken either during or after the procedure to verify correct implant positioning. In certain cases, stitches may be required to close the gum flap tissues.

In most cases, you should be fit enough to drive home on your own after this visit, but we will advise you regarding this on the first visit.

• Third visit

One week after the surgical phase a short 15-minute appointment may be scheduled just to see how things are progressing. If stitches were placed they will be removed.

• Fourth visit

Around 3 months later, an X-ray is taken again and the implant fixture is tested to confirm that it has fused to the jaw bone (in dental terms we call it osseointegration). Another set of impressions may be taken during this visit to prepare for stage two or the “prosthetic phase”. It is a short, uneventful appointment that takes 30 minutes.

• Fifth visit

Accurate impressions or an intra-oral scan of the implant fixture or fixtures are taken. X-rays help us verify the accuracy of the mould in order to send to our dental technician who designs and constructs a hand-crafted tooth, bridge or denture that mimics the shape, colour and contours of your natural tooth or teeth. Most people are hard-pressed to tell the difference between their own natural teeth and the implant-supported crowns or bridges we construct for them.

For patients who have multiple gaps in their smile, an appropriate number of implants are strategically placed. This helps stabilise and support the bridgework that fits precisely over the titanium screws that are imbedded permanently into the jaw.

They can also be used to secure uncomfortable or unstable dentures and are an ideal option for many of our patients. If dentures are constructed more visits are required before they are completed.

Depending on the number of teeth we are replacing, this visit may last between 30 mins to one hour or more. No numbing is needed for this appointment and very little if any discomfort is felt.

• Sixth visit

30 minutes are needed if a single implant-supported crown is being issued. It is a relatively straight forward and exciting appointment. A longer session is needed if multiple teeth are being replaced. The crown is tested for fit, shape, contour and comfort as well as aesthetics before it is permanently placed into the implant fixture.

1. They can reduce the load placed on other teeth by creating an independent support structure for crowns, bridges and dentures.
2. The neighbouring teeth are not damaged in any way –no surrounding teeth need to be filed down.
3. They help preserve jaw bone at the site where teeth are removed.
4. They can potentially last much longer than other methods of dental tooth replacement.
5. Implants can provide excellent denture stabilisation – far better than conventional dentures.
6. With implant-supported overdentures you are able to speak, chew and eat far more efficiently than traditional full dentures.
7. Implants are aesthetic, functional, predictable and reliable. Their success rates are in the order of 95%.
8. They are comfortable that they feel like your own natural teeth.
9. They do not decay.

1. A minor surgical procedure to place dental implants is needed.
2. Many appointments may be required to provide the final restorative outcome.
3. Implants can be expensive in comparison to other forms of tooth replacement.
4. Since implants are fused to the jaw bone there is a lack of shock-absorbers within the structure. Fractures of crowns and bridgework are more common than with natural teeth crowns.
5. Implants may feel ‘dead’ as they do not have any nerves. After a few months however nerve endings can develop around the implant fixture so they feel like a normal tooth.
6. Implants are not for life. They require maintenance by the patient, and occasionally by the dentist.
7. Implants can also suffer from gum disease, may become loose and require replacement.
8. Risk of infection after the surgical phase.