There’s more to dental implants before and after than just pictures! While it’s amazing to see what a set of implants can do for appearance, functionality, and confidence, it’s important to remember that what you do before and after getting dental implants can have an impact on their success.
At With U Dental, we’re committed to helping you improve your dental health and your quality of life. We’ve collected some dental implants before and after photos below. Get in touch with us if you want to learn more about implant dentistry and how it can benefit you!
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots, most often made of titanium or zirconia. These “roots” are surgically inserted into the actual jawbone to support replacement prosthetic teeth, like dentures, crowns, or bridges.
Dental implants provide a sturdy foundation for artificial teeth to be able to function very much like natural teeth. They’re typically used as a solution for people who have lost teeth from injury, decay, or disease. Dental implants help restore the ability to speak, chew, and smile confidently while preserving the jawbone, which can become weak when there are gaps in it from missing tooth roots or teeth.
Types of Dental Implants
- Endosteal Implants: The most widely used type, these are installed directly into the jawbone. They resemble screws or cylinders and are ideal for patients with enough healthy bone in the jaw to support them.
- Subperiosteal Implants: These implants are surgically placed under the gum but above the jawbone. They are used for patients who don’t have enough bone in their jaw for the implant screws to fit, and are unable to have a bone graft.
- All-on-4 Dental Implants: A full mouth solution designed for patients missing multiple teeth or all of their teeth, this method uses four dental implants to support an entire arch of teeth. It’s a less invasive and more cost-effective method than replacing each and every tooth.
- Zygomatic Implants: A specialised option used for patients with severe bone loss in the upper jaw. Unlike traditional dental implants, zygomatic implants are anchored in the cheekbone (zygoma).
- Mini Dental Implants: A smaller option compared to traditional implants. They are often used for stabilising dentures or for patients with smaller spaces between their teeth. Because of their size, mini implants can be placed without extensive surgery, which means a quicker healing process.
Before Getting Dental Implants
Before getting dental implant treatment, consult with your dentist to make sure you’re suitable for this kind of procedure. They’ll evaluate your overall health, not just your oral health, as conditions like diabetes or gum disease can affect healing.
Your dentist will also check the health of your gums and jawbone, because you need good bone density to anchor the implants. In some cases, they will recommend a bone graft before you can get implants. You should also discuss any medications or allergies you have, because they can influence the procedure’s success.
If your healthcare professionals decide you’re a suitable candidate, you may need to make some lifestyle changes to increase the chances of success. Smoking is a big red flag for success, so it’s highly recommended that you stop –it can damage your gums and ruin your implants, which means you’ll spend a lot of money for nothing!
The Dental Implant Procedure
The dental implant procedure isn’t done in one visit. On your first visit, any damaged teeth will be removed to make space for the implants. Once you’ve healed from that, the implant placement will be done during another visit.
It takes at least 3 months for the bone to fuse (osseointegrate) with this new root. You may have to wait 3 to 6 months (with a temporary crown) before coming back to have the abutment placed on the root and a custom-made dental crown fitted.
The entire process takes several months, but the result is a long-lasting, natural-looking replacement for missing teeth.
After Getting Dental Implants
After receiving dental implants, it’s up to you to take good care of them so you benefit from them for a long time. For the first few days, you may feel swollen and sore, and might even have some bruising. You can manage these with prescription or over-the-counter painkillers and by eating a soft food diet for the first week post-op.
Good oral hygiene is key to preventing infection after you’ve had dental implants. Brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups will help your dental implants last for many years, but habits like smoking can reduce their lifespan. It’s also important to avoid hard foods initially to prevent damage while the implant site heals.
Dental Implants Before and After Pictures
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants have a lot of advantages over traditional methods like dentures and dental bridges. They offer a long-term solution by acting as artificial tooth roots that actually integrate with the jawbone and become a part of your mouth.
This integration helps maintain good bone health and prevents the deterioration that can happen when you’re missing teeth. Unlike dentures, they don’t need to be removed for cleaning, which is much more convenient.
Moreover, dental implants do not affect adjacent teeth, unlike bridges, which rely on neighbouring teeth for support. So, you aren’t inadvertently causing more damage.
Implants look and function pretty much like natural teeth, improving speech, eating, and overall confidence. They’re both a form of cosmetic dentistry, giving you a new smile, and functional dentistry, restoring essential functions like chewing and speaking.
Challenges and Risks of Dental Implants
While dental implants are usually highly successful, some challenges and risks do exist. The most notable of these is the initial cost. The cost of implants can be high, making them less accessible for people without easy access to these kinds of funds.
In addition, surgery is a necessity for dental implants, and it always carries risks. These could include complications like infection, nerve damage, or sinus issues for upper jaw implants. While they are rare, it’s important to know that these difficulties can arise after implant surgery.
Another challenge is that healing can take several months, and some patients may experience discomfort during this time. It’s not the procedure for you if you want a quick fix – you need to be dedicated to improving your oral health and willing to put in the work!
Lastly, dental implants are not suitable for everyone. If you’ve got low bone density in your jawbone or underlying health conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes or gum disease, you may be unable to get implants.
Dental Implants Before and After FAQs
Does dental implant surgery hurt?
What is the cost of dental implants in Australia?
On average, a single implant can cost between $3,000 and $7,500 in Australia. Four implants (All-on-4 implants) can cost anywhere from $19,000 per arch. If you’re looking to replace your upper teeth and lower teeth, you can expect close to $50,000.
Dental implant costs can differ widely depending on the type of implant, the number of teeth replaced, and additional procedures like bone grafts. Contact the team at With U Dental for a personalised price for your needs.
What is the success rate of dental implants?
The success rate for dental implants is generally high, with a success rate of 95 to 98%, especially when performed by a skilled professional and followed up with proper aftercare.
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