In the past, dental bridges and dentures were the only solutions to replacing missing teeth. However, with modern technology and innovation, today, dental implants are a superior choice for replacing missing teeth. One of the biggest benefits of dental implants is that they not only look like your natural teeth but also feel and function like one. Moreover, with dental implants, you don’t have to worry about tooth decay and cavities any more. Thus, if you want to learn about implants for teeth, its different types, facts and the cost of dental implants in Australia (Sunshine Coast), then continue reading below.

A] What are Dental Implants? What are they made of?

Dental implants are used as a replacement for a missing tooth. They are a piece of metal that looks like a screw and is integrated into the jawbone of the patient as a tooth root. This process is referred to as dental osseointegration.

Dental implants include three components; the post, abutment, and restoration. Once the dental implant post is integrated into the jaw, an abutment is attached to the post, followed by a crown that is specially made to look like your natural teeth.

Usually made of titanium or titanium alloys, the dental implants procedure is quite straightforward and since we offer dental implant services in Sunshine Coast, here is a quick glimpse of the dental implant before and after photos.

Go here: https://www.orisdental.com.au/implants-gallery/

B] Different Types of Dental Implants

• Endosteal Implants: Typically made of titanium, these are small screw-shaped implants that are placed in the jawbone. Endosteal implants are the most commonly used titanium implants, which also includes an abutment and a crown made of ceramic or polymer.
• Subperiosteal Implants: When there is not enough jawbone to support an implant, Subperiosteal implants are used. Placed under the gum, but on/above the jawbone, these implants protrude through the gum to hold the replacement tooth.

C] Important Dental Implant Facts: Everything You Need To Know

• Low-risk Surgery: The dental implant procedure is a relatively simple procedure with a high success rate. Anyone with good general health and good bone health can opt for this routine procedure. During the planning stage, the dental surgeon will examine the patients’ mouth and determine the quality and quantity of the jawbone before moving forward. During the surgery, a local anaesthetic is administered. Following the surgery, the patient might feel gum sensitivity and slight pain at the implant site, while bleeding may also occur along with some facial swelling and bruising.
• Stronger Than Natural Teeth: Did you know that dental implants are made with the same material which is used in space shuttles, missiles and rockets? That’s right! Dental implants are made using titanium, which makes them stronger than your natural teeth. Titanium is a biocompatible material, and once inserted into the bone, your mouth heals around it without any complications. Dental implants are long-lasting as they are resistant to decay. Also, with implants for teeth, you can regain the lost bite strength that you used to have.
• Designed to Match Your Natural Teeth: After the implant is surgically-fused to the bone, the crown is custom-made to match the colour, size, and shape of your adjacent natural teeth. You have the option of choosing durable metals like gold or ceramic. Ceramic, in particular, looks like your biological teeth and is compatible with the gum tissue.
• Offers Comfortable Fit: Unlike dentures, dental implants offer you a comfortable fit as they are fused into your jawbone. They feel like natural teeth, so you can talk, chew and eat without any trouble. Plus, it helps restore your confidence to smile without the fear of dentures shifting or falling out.
• Prevents Bone Loss: Dental implants prevent resorption of bone tissue, which is a natural result of tooth loss. Once the implants are in place, your gums and jaw undergo natural healing, and the process of “osseointegration” follows, which helps to permanently bond the artificial tooth root to the surrounding tissue. This helps facilitate a stronger jaw, thereby prevent bone loss.
• Restores Bite Force: One of the other dental implant facts is that it restores your full bite strength, similar to what you used to have before. So, you can eat what you love without the hassle of removing denture in and out of the mouth or without the worry of shifting and pain.
• Improves Speech: With poor-fitting dentures, your speech may sound muffled or have a slur. However, with dental implants, you don’t have to worry about this as they are a permanent replacement of your teeth, which allows you to speak with clarity, without the worry that the denture might slip or fall.
• Reliable and Long-lasting: While it’s impossible to get cavities with dental implants, you still need to maintain your daily oral hygiene to enjoy optimal dental health. With proper care and maintenance, your dental implants can last for a long time, and it is a reliable solution compared to conventional methods of teeth restorations.
• Makes Eating and Chewing Easy: As a tooth-replacement option, the titanium dental implant post and crown performs the exact functions of the natural teeth, which makes it easier to eat and chew without any discomfort.
• Prevents Cavities: Unlike natural teeth, dental implants are not susceptible to cavities and decay because they are made with sustainable materials. Once they are fully healed, they require minimal care, which includes regular brushing and flossing to keep the gums healthy.
• Convenient and Easy Aftercare: It doesn’t take much to care for your teeth after the dental implants process. To reduce the chance of infection, you need to keep the implant site clean, which can be easily done with salt water rinses. Post-surgery, your dentist would recommend over-the-counter pain relief medicine (if needed). Also, it is best to avoid foods that could damage your teeth in any way and stick to a soft diet.

Further reading: The best and worst foods for your teeth.

• Permanent Solution for Tooth Loss: Be it replacing one tooth or several teeth, dental implants are a permanent solution for tooth loss. It offers greater benefits in the long run compared to dentures and dental bridges. More importantly, while dental bridges and dentures require replacement throughout the years, implants for teeth can last you for many years.
• Improve Facial and Bone Features: After tooth loss, the ridge of the bone (the alveolar bone) that supports the teeth begins to deteriorate. This could affect your existing facial and bone structure. Thus, dental implants help to prevent this by mimicking the entire structure of teeth (the root and crown), thereby improving the facial and bone features, helping you maintain your youthful and natural appearance.

#Cost of Dental Implants in Sunshine Coast

Now that you know all about dental implants, let’s look at the tooth implant cost or the cost for teeth implants in Sunshine Coast, Australia. While there are many dental implants myths stating that it can be expensive, the fact is that while the procedure may be expensive, the lifetime benefit it provides help mitigate the cost. Therefore, as a Sunshine Coast Dentist, here is an overview of our dental payment plans that you can look at if you require a dental implant service.