Dental Implants
Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth or to anchor dentures so there is no movement when chewing. Implants are inserted into the bone of the missing tooth, and a porcelain crown is joined to it. This provides the most natural appearance, which is functional and will last a lifetime. The modern dental implant has made a huge advancement in the last 20 years. From their surface texture/coating, design, materials and advancements in manufacturing, this has made dental implants very predictable.
The modern-day dental implant is a replacement tooth root made from pure titanium, titanium alloy, or ceramic. It is commonly shaped like a bolt that is placed into the jaw bone to replace missing teeth. Once the bone has healed around the implant (osseointegration) a crown or tooth-supported structure (bridge or denture) is attached to the implant. Before we can place an implant there has to be enough bone to hold the implant. Growing new bone is one of the exciting new chapters in dental implantology and medicine. Advancements in biomaterials and techniques have allowed us to grow new bone in implant sites. So now implants can be placed where it was once impossible.
With 3 dimensional X-rays, intraoral scans, and computer software allows us to virtually place the size, type, and implant brand for the optimum position. From this plan a 3D printed guide is made, this is used in the mouth to guide in the placement of the implant in the exact position as we planned virtually. The type and brand of implants used at Cosmetic Dental is dependent on the implant design needed for the specific site. There is no one brand that covers all situations.
At Cosmetic Dental everything thing is done in house from the planning, implant placement, crown fitting or denture insertion. Because it is all done in house we are very competitive on price, achieve outstanding results, and the patient is not sent to different clinics.
If you are looking to replace your missing teeth, we will first examine your mouth, take records, and take X-rays to produce 3D virtual plans. If you have specific questions about your situation please feel free to contact us by phone or email or request a free 15-minute consultation.
Recent Cases
The patient lost 2 back teeth and could not chew his food.
Solution
2 implant crowns placed to replace the missing teeth, so now the patient can chew.
This 27-year-old female patient was born with a number of missing adult teeth. She wanted the gaps replaced for her wedding.
Solution
Dental implants were used to replace the missing teeth. This saved us cutting down the surrounding teeth if we had treated her with bridges.
View the before and after results of two more implant treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do dental implants cost?
Dental implants are usually divided into phases.
Phase 1 is an implant fixture placement: $2395
Phase 2 is the crown placed on to the implant: $2600
A 3D X-ray is taken to plan placement: $90
Sometimes we have to grow bone (GBR, guided bone regeneration) so there enough bone to place the implant, there is an added cost for this.
What results are possible with dental implants?
The advancement in biomaterials has enabled us to replace missing teeth that look natural and function just like normal teeth.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Dental implants are the closest we can get to replacing missing natural teeth at present. They feel like natural teeth, they look like natural teeth, they are just like natural teeth to chew on. They are attached so you do not take them out at night. There is no preparation for the surrounding teeth like dental bridges that were more common before dental implants were used to replace missing teeth.
What are the pros and cons of dental implants?
They feel and act like natural teeth.
They do not involve preparation for the neighbouring teeth as we do with bridges.
Implants are considered a lifetime treatment option, but over a long period of time, there can be wear to the crown, and gum tissue movement.
Like natural teeth, if not looked after they can become infected, and bone is lost around the implant.
One of the biggest hurdles to patients to get dental implants is the cost and suitable bone to place them into. Certain medical conditions make placing implants contraindicated.
What are the alternatives to dental implants?
Bridges and dentures are common alternatives to dental implants.
What makes Cosmetic Dental the best choice for dental implants?
Many providers have one doctor to place the implant fixture at one location, and another doctor at another location placing the implant crown. At Cosmetic Dental the whole procedure (apart from the 3D X-ray) is done under one roof.
This means we plan everything from start to finish with no surprises in costs to the patient. Because everything is done under one roof, and our collaboration with implant supply companies, to mentor dentists we get make savings, we are able to pass on these savings to our implant patients.
The latest in 3D planning software and imaging is used to produce printed guides to allow us to place the implant with keyhole surgery precision, resulting in less post-operative discomfort to the patient.
We are mindful that our patients come to us for our cosmetic edge and attention to detail, so our goal is to deliver the best possible results.
What happens during a dental implant procedure?
Before the implant is placed we plan the placement in a 3D computer simulation and produce a printed guide to be used at the time of placement.
At the time of placement, a local anaesthetic is placed to numb the area and the implant is placed. Patients normally find that the implant placement is less an ordeal then when the tooth was removed.
After a healing time of 3 to 6 months, an impression is taken of the teeth and implant so an implant crown can be placed at the next appointment.
There are times we can remove the failing natural tooth and immediately place the implant, and place a temporary implant crown all on the same day. This is more commonly done for teeth showings in the smile and saves the patient wearing a temporary denture. It is called immediate implant placement with immediate loading.
How long do dental implants last?
If the patient is healthy and the implants are placed under ideal conditions and are not overloaded, plus the patient looks after the implant with a good cleaning and regular professional cleaning, we plan for implants to last a lifetime.
How can I look after my dental implant?
It is important that the patient cleans around the implant to prevent the soft tissue and bone becoming infected. Regular checks should be carried out by dental professionals to check the gum health and check the loading on the implants. They will often clean around the implants at the same time. An X-ray will also be taken to check the bone health and stability.
Request a free, no-obligation 15-minute consultation with Dr. Michael Kan
Find out if dental implants are right for you with a free, 15-minute consultation with Dr. Michael Kan today. Dr. Kan will examine your smile, answer your questions about dental implants and give you a verbal estimate for an implant treatment – all at no cost and no obligation. Can’t make it into the clinic? Send us your smile.