Dental implants in Moorooka

What is an implant?

A dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth. It’s a small titanium screw placed in the jawbone where the tooth used to be. Once the bone has grown around it, a crown is fitted on top, so it looks and works like a tooth. Implants can replace one tooth, or hold a bridge or a denture in place when several teeth are missing.

Unlike a bridge, an implant doesn’t need the teeth on either side of the gap to be filed down to hold it. At Floss & Gloss, Dr Archie places implants here at the practice.

Is an implant right for you?

We’ll check four things before recommending one:

• Your bone. There needs to be enough bone in the jaw to hold the implant. If there isn’t, a bone graft may be needed first, which adds time and cost.
• Your gums and other teeth. Gum disease or decay needs treating first.
• Your general health. Smoking, diabetes that isn’t well controlled, some bone conditions such as osteoporosis, and a weakened immune system all make it more likely the implant won’t fuse with the bone. Let us know about any medicines you take.
• The other options. Depending on your needs, a bridge or a denture may be a more suitable option. We’ll always advise you on the best treatment for your case.

What happens, step by step

1. Assessment and a plan. We examine your mouth and take x-rays to check the bone. We’ll go through each stage and the full cost with you before anything is booked.
2. Placing the implant. Under local anaesthetic, the implant is placed in the jawbone and the gum is closed over or around it.
3. Healing. Over the next three to six months the bone grows around the implant and holds it firmly. If the gap shows when you smile, a temporary tooth can fill it in the meantime.
4. The crown. Once the implant is secure, we take a scan and fit the crown on top, matched to the colour of your other teeth.

From the first visit to the finished tooth, it usually takes between three and six months, depending mostly on healing and whether a bone graft is needed.

Implant, bridge or denture?

There are three main ways to replace a missing tooth. This is how they compare.

After your implant is placed

• Expect some soreness and swelling for a few days. Over-the-counter pain relief, taken as the packet directs, usually helps.
• Stick to soft food and chew on the other side while it heals.
• Keep the area clean, using the technique we’ll demonstrate for you. An infection in the gum around an implant can make it fail, now or years later.
• If you smoke, stopping — even just around the surgery and healing — gives the implant a much better chance.
• Call us if swelling or pain is getting worse rather than better after a few days.

Once the crown is fitted, look after it like your own teeth: brush, clean between your teeth, and keep up your check-ups.

What it costs, and what your fund pays

Implants start from $4,000, including the crown. The final price depends on how many implants you need, whether you need a bone graft, and what goes on top (a single crown, a bridge or a denture). You’ll know the price before we start.

Medicare doesn’t cover implants. If you have extras cover, implants usually fall under “major dental”, and what you get back depends on your policy and how long you’ve held it. Some policies don’t cover implants at all, so it’s worth asking your fund before you start. You can claim on the spot with HICAPS.

Honest expectations

Most implants fuse well and last many years, but no treatment is guaranteed. Like any surgery, there’s a small risk of infection or bleeding, and occasionally an implant doesn’t fuse with the bone and has to be removed. We’ll go through the risks that apply to you at your consultation, so you can decide with the full picture.