All About Dental Implants

A dental implant is a prosthesis that replaces the tooth and the root. An implant is infused into the jawbone, onto which the osteoblasts grow. This leads to a structural and functional connection between the bone and the dental implant.

In Perth, 3 out of 10 people avoid or delay oral health treatments because of terrifying bills. As a solution, the government provides a Child Dental Benefits Schedule program to create oral health awareness among children. Eligible children up to the age of 17 years can highly benefit from this program.

Types of Dental Implants

1 Endosteal Implants

As far as tooth replacement in Perth is concerned, endosteal implants are placed inside the basal or alveolar bone of the maxilla or mandible. These implants penetrate only one cortical plate. They are further divided into

• Blade form
• Root form
• Ramus frame

2 Subperiosteal Implants

Subperiosteal implants are placed directly below the periosteum overlying the bony cortex. In other words, unlike an endosteal implant, which rests in the bone, a subperiosteal implant rests on the bone but inside the gums.

3 Transosteal Implants

Transosteal implants are also known as mandibular staple implants, transmandibular implants, or staple bone implants. These implants combine endosteal and subperiosteal implants and penetrate both cortical plates.

4 Intramuscular Implants

Intramuscular implants are inserted directly into the oral mucosa. The mucosa acts as an attachment site for the implants.

5 Zygomatic Implants

Zygomatic implants are different and are placed inside the cheekbones and not the jawbone of the maxilla or mandible.

Indications of Dental Implants

Dental implants are indicated in the following situations:

• To substitute a single tooth or multiple teeth.
• In case of loose teeth, that will ultimately fail.
• When there is well-defined bone support.
• There is no serious systemic illness.
• No smoking habits as implants will not be able to stay stable.

Contraindications of Dental Implants

The contraindications of dental implants are:

• Compromised oral hygiene.
• A severe periodontal disease where there is a lack of sufficient bone support.
• In the case of habitual smokers, smoking is the biggest cause of implant failure.
• Patients suffering from bruxism. (a condition in which the patient clenches or grinds the teeth unconsciously during the day or at night. Bruxism causes the implant to fail due to the excessive load.)
• Certain mental illnesses.
• Patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
• In pregnant women.

Advantages of Dental Implants

• It prevents the loss of the jawbone by maintaining its width and height.
• It mimics the natural tooth.
• It prevents any change in the shape of the face, which can occur after bone loss.
• Easy to maintain.
• Increased chewing efficiency.
• It is a permanent solution to lost teeth.
• Long-lasting.

How Are Dental Implants Inserted?

Dental implant insertion involves multiple appointments and takes months, but the results are worth the time. Most of the time taken is by the healing and bone growth processes. The steps included in implant insertion are as follows:

• The dentist examines the teeth and mouth at the first appointment to rule out systemic illness or periodontal disease.
• Then, an incision is made over the gums, and the underlying bone is exposed.
• A hole is drilled in the bone, and the implant screw is placed inside and closed from above.
• At the next appointment, the mucosa covering the implant screw is exposed, and a ceramic crown is fitted over it. This ceramic crown will mimic the natural tooth.

Post-Care Implant Instructions

Taking care of your implant post-insertion is the biggest contributing factor to its survival rate. The following instructions to be kept in mind are:

• Brush after every meal.
• Keep your teeth and your gums clean.
• After every meal, mouthwash with hot salt water. This prevents the build-up of bacteria, which can interfere with implant stability.

In Conclusion

It is a fact that every 1 in 25 adults in Perth has no natural teeth. However, many dental clinics provide high-quality custom-made tooth replacement in Perth at an affordable cost. So, make it a worthwhile experience by opting for dental implants.