Dental Implants Gold Coast
If you have one or multiple missing teeth, dental implants could be the optimal replacement option for you!
Dental implants serve as a restorative dental solution, effectively addressing diverse oral health concerns such as missing, diseased, or damaged teeth.
As a tooth replacement choice, dental implants closely emulate the characteristics of a natural tooth, blending seamlessly with your natural teeth in terms of appearance, feel, and functionality. Their increased structural strength and enduring nature make dental implants an excellent tooth replacement option, particularly for those struggling with uncomfortable or ill-fitting dentures.
What are dental implants?
Implanted beneath your gums into the jawbone, dental implants are artificial roots that establish a strong foundation for supporting a crown. Crafted to mirror your natural teeth, the replacement teeth integrate seamlessly with your existing dental aesthetics, ensuring that the implants appear indistinguishable. For most people, it’s impossible to differentiate between dental implants and natural teeth.
Zirconia vs Titanium dental implants
Dental implants have revolutionised the lives of patients worldwide, traditionally crafted from pure titanium or a titanium alloy. The constant evolution in the design and manufacturing of dental implants has been pivotal, offering patients progressively advanced options for replacing missing teeth.
A groundbreaking innovation in dental implant materials is the introduction of Zirconia as an alternative to titanium. Zirconia, renowned for its strength and biocompatibility, has previously been utilised in the creation of artificial knee and hip implants. Now, its benefits extend to dental applications. Heal Dental Care offers completely metal-free Zirconia implants (ceramic), presenting distinct advantages in biocompatibility and aesthetics.
- Biocompatibility: Zirconia implants showcase exceptional biocompatibility, with tissues exhibiting remarkable healing without chronic signs of inflammation. While titanium also boasts high biocompatibility, some patients have reported allergies to titanium.
- Metal-Free Advantage: Zirconia implants stand out as a fully metal-free alternative. Comprising stabilised Zirconium Oxide (white ceramic), they offer an additional aesthetic benefit. White ceramic implants resemble a tooth root beneath the gums and beneath the implant crown, enhancing the overall natural appearance.
- Flexibility: Titanium’s ability to flex means the associated components can be manufactured to much smaller tolerances. For this reason they are used more frequently in areas of technical complexity where zirconia implants may be unsuitable ie. reduced bone, less bite space or if multiple teeth need to be replaced by several implants.
Why get dental implants?
Dental implants are an excellent way to renew your smile with a natural appearance, sensation, and functionality. Unlike alternative options such as dentures or bridges, implants offer a more long-lasting and stable solution, enabling you to engage in daily activities just as you would with your natural teeth.
Restoring natural function to the mouth and jaw, resolving jaw pain or bite problems, and replacing uncomfortable dentures are common reasons for choosing dental implants. While there are various reasons you might consider dental implants, scheduling a consultation with our burleigh dentists is the most effective way to determine if they are the right fit for your needs.
Implants at Heal Dental Care
Our clinical approach for dental implants is unique due to our eternal pursuit of excellence and perfection.
Instead of sending you away to other dentists for various parts of your procedure, all aspects of your dental implant treatment are managed by your dentist. This gives you the peace of mind that your clinician is confident in their ability, driven to exceed your expectations and wants to see your case all the way through to completion. Our first principles philosophy produces reliable, aesthetic and functional outcomes that have been celebrated by patients for many years.
Planning
The phrase measure twice cut once is well earned, especially when dentists are placing dental implants. In planning your dental implant treatment 3D cone beam technology aids the clinician as they meticulously create a custom surgical plan tailored specifically for you.
Soft tissue (gum) augmentation
Nearly all dental implant treatments carried out at Heal Dental Care include preventative gum augmentation. This procedure occurs at the placement of your dental implant, with the precious overlying gum to your implant saved and reflected beneath the gum to the cheek side of your implant. This is the key area which may experience wear from tooth brushing or other means years after implant placement, so we take great care to set your gums up for long term success by soft tissue grafting at the placement of your dental implants.
Design
World class implants have world class design. The majority of our implants are either Ankylos or Straumann – these are both considered world class premium implant brands backed by very large bodies of clinical evidence. Ankylos implants have a unique hermetic seal which is engineered to protect the implant from internal leakage, promoting bone formation and stability around the implant for the long term. Straumann implants exhibit extraordinary strength and long term gum health due to a robust tissue level design.
Osseodensification
When preparing jaw bones for dental implants, a technical approach is employed which utilizes your existing bone to its maximum potential instead of drilling it away. Similar to self tapping screws, the bone is pushed away and condensed around the implant instead of being drilled away. This way, bone becomes much more “dense” around the implant. Most dentists do not employ this technique, however this approach critically enhances the stability of your implants; setting them up for long term success.
Custom Components
Implant components used for the implants we place are 100% genuine. The importance of this cannot be understated. The microscopic tolerances of dental implants must be respected to prevent premature failure, screw loosening, fracturing and loss of implants; unfortunately the use of non-genuine (copycat) components is rife in the dental industry.
Custom abutments are used for healing and for definitive implant crowns to ensure your tissue anatomy is optimized and preserved.
In-house Implant Crowns
Many hours of work go into making the tooth which fixes into your dental implant. While in most dental clinics the implant tooth (crown) is outsourced and manufactured off site or even overseas, at Heal Dental Care, the dentist responsible for your implant placement also digitally designs, manufactures and refines every small aspect of your replacement tooth to ensure no detail is missed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dental implants right for me?
Most people are good candidates for dental implants, however there are several key considerations when assessing patient suitability for the procedure.
Is there adequate bone structure?
Dental implants require sufficient bone quantity and quality in order to successfully integrate and support a crown. Once a tooth is removed, the surrounding jawbone begins to deteriorate and reduce, therefore it’s imperative to seek dental implant treatment as soon as possible to minimise bone loss and ensure optimal outcomes. There are options for patients who have lost jawbone structure following tooth removal, such as bone grafting. Our practitioners utilise advanced 3d imaging technology to analyse the existing bone structure and simulate the ideal implant placement.
Are the gums healthy?
Gum health is extremely important to ensure successful integration of dental implants. Healthy gums provide the necessary foundation, ensuring stability and longevity. During our comprehensive examination, we will assess your gums and surrounding tissues, looking for signs of gum disease or any issues that might impact an implant procedure. This allows us to tailor an oral health plan to each patient, providing individualised education to achieve optimal gum health.
Does the patient smoke?
In evaluating candidacy for dental implants, smoking habits play a vital role. Smoking can impede the healing process and implant integration. We recommend quitting smoking before surgery for better post-care and overall healing success.
Does the patient maintain good oral hygiene?
Dental implants require the same level of care and maintenance as your natural teeth. If poor oral hygiene has led to tooth loss, those same habits are likely to lead to the failure of dental implants. Therefore, it’s important to ensure your flossing and brushing habits are excellent, along with regular visits to the dentist for examination and hygiene maintenance.
What are the advantages of dental implants?
There are many advantages of dental implants, including:
- Dental implants closely resemble natural teeth, providing a fixed and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
- Unlike removable dentures, implants offer enhanced stability and function, allowing for natural speech and chewing.
- With proper care, dental implants can provide a durable and permanent tooth replacement option.
- Unlike traditional bridges, dental implants don’t rely on adjacent teeth for support, preserving the health of neighbouring natural teeth.
- Implants stimulate the jawbone, preventing bone loss and maintaining facial structure over time.
- Dental implants enable you to enjoy a diverse range of foods without the limitations often associated with removable dentures.
- Implants become a part of your mouth, eliminating discomfort or irritation often experienced with removable dentures.
- The natural look and feel of dental implants contribute to improved self-esteem and confidence in social and professional interactions.
How long does the process take?
The timeline for dental implants can vary based on individual circumstances, but the process typically spans several months. Initial consultations involve evaluations of candidacy, with thorough examinations of gum health and bone structure. Subsequent appointments may include tooth extractions, if necessary, and the surgical placement of the implant into the jawbone. Following this, a healing period of three to six months is often required for the implant to fuse with the bone. Once the integration is complete, the final step involves the design and placement of the crown or bridge. Our team is committed to guiding you through each stage of the process, ensuring a comprehensive and successful journey towards a restored and confident smile.
Does implant placement hurt?
The discomfort during dental implant placement is typically minimal. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia to ensure you’re comfortable and pain-free. You may feel some sensations like gentle pressure, and hear some noises, however you should not feel any pain. While you may experience some soreness or mild discomfort in the days following the surgery, over-the-counter pain relief is usually sufficient to manage any pain. Our team prioritises your comfort throughout the process, and we’re available to address any concerns and provide guidance on post-surgery care to make your experience as smooth as possible.
How long do dental implants last?
With proper care and maintenance, dental implants have the potential to last a lifetime. Regular oral hygiene practices, including brushing, flossing, and routine dental check-ups, are essential to ensure the longevity of your dental implants. Additionally, avoiding habits like smoking and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can contribute to the overall success and durability of the implants. While individual experiences may vary, the goal is to provide you with a permanent and reliable solution for your missing teeth.
Where do I start?
We recommend starting with a comprehensive consultation, allowing our Burleigh dentists to assess your individual needs and discuss any questions you may have. A bespoke treatment plan will be provided to you, and your subsequent appointments can be scheduled in advance. You can contact us on (phone) or book your consultation online now.