What are dental implants?
Made out of durable titanium, dental implants are surgically positioned into the jawbone to replace missing teeth. They:
- Can be a more functional alternative to dentures
- Provide a lasting solution for missing teeth
- Aesthetically blend in with each patient’s natural teeth
Dental implants aren’t fitted with a one-size-fits-all approach, but rather a highly detailed process that closely considers each patient’s teeth alignment, and other individual factors.
At Oasis, we can treat singular tooth loss, or use implants to replace multiple missing teeth. Our treatment options range from single dental implants to more extensive treatments, such as All-on-4, which can provide patients with a full set of functioning teeth using just four strategically-placed implants.
To learn more about our dental implant treatment options, and receive personal advice as to which option may be right for you, please contact our West End team.
Why do we need dental implants?
Certain dental issues, such as tooth decay or injury, can cause a singular tooth (or sometimes multiple teeth) to fall out.
If these missing teeth aren’t replaced, it can lead to a variety of functional issues, as well as impact the aesthetics of your smile.
Designed to provide a long-lasting solution, dental implants can re-establish the lost connection between the tooth and the jaw. Replacing this lost connection is highly essential for maintaining good oral health and preventing further dental issues. As well as addressing functional and health concerns, replacing missing teeth can, of course, have a positive effect on the appearance of your teeth.
Sometimes, damaged teeth can be beyond the means that root canal therapy can repair, which can also prompt the need for dental implants. The need for dental implants will always depend on each individual’s circumstances, which our experienced dentists at Oasis can discuss.
Further issues caused by tooth loss
As well as creating a sometimes noticeable gap in your smile, tooth loss can also lead to:
- The movement of your remaining teeth in attempts to close the gap, which can cause crooked teeth or lead to teeth misalignment
- A loss of stimulation to the jawbone in the area of the lost tooth, causing bone loss over time
- A loss of structural support in the mouth, which can slowly weaken the surrounding teeth
- Difficulty in cleaning the area, which can increase the risk of further issues, such as dental disease
Our highly trained and experienced team at Oasis Dental Studio can replace your missing tooth (or multiple missing teeth) at the root, which can go a long way to prevent or minimise the above issues.
Our dental implant services at Oasis Dental Studio in West End, Brisbane
At Oasis Dental Studio West End Brisbane, we offer a variety of dental implant treatment options. Because each patient has unique needs, our team will aim to find the right solution to replace your missing teeth.
Our dental implant services include:
- All-On-4 Dental Implants
- Singular Tooth Loss
- Implant Supported Dentures
- Teeth In A Day
- Implant Supported Bridges
- Bone Grafts
Explaining bone grafting for dental implants: What is it, and will it always be required?
If a patient does not have enough bone density in the area of their missing tooth to support a dental implant, bone grafting may be necessary.
Bone grafting involves taking a small amount of bone from another area of your body, such as your jaw, chin or hip, and placing it into the area with low bone density.
Not every patient will need bone grafting – if there is sufficient bone density in the area, then a titanium dental implant should be supported.
Our team will need to assess the level of bone density in your jawbone to see if you may require bone grafting.
Depending on the amount of bone grafting you will need, it can be done at the same time as your dental implant procedure, or you may need to undergo a separate bone grafting procedure before receiving your dental implants.
Contact us to learn more about bone grafting, or read more about the process on our Bone Grafts page.
Suitable candidates for dental implants
To help us determine if you are suitable for dental implants, our team will consider a variety of aspects of your dental health.
Generally, suitable candidates should have:
- Good overall oral health
- Healthy gums
- Sufficient bone density – however, bone grafting can help patients with insufficient bone density to become suitable candidates for dental implants
You’ll have a consultation at Oasis before your treatment, where we can discuss your personal needs and plan out the details of your procedure.
Your consultation with one of our dentists at Oasis, West End
At your consultation, one of our highly trained and experienced dentists can discuss your needs, assess your dental health and answer any of your questions about dental implants.
General health discussion
We will need to discuss your oral health history, as well as your general health history, so that we can consider any health conditions during the treatment planning process. We’ll also need to ask if you are taking any medications, as some medications can interfere with the treatment (or the healing process after your treatment).
Detailed oral assessment
A thorough, comprehensive oral assessment will be required before having treatment with dental implants. An oral examination can sometimes require X-rays or 3D imaging. We will need to assess different aspects of your dental health, such as the condition of your jawbone, surrounding tissues, jawbone density, and more. If you don’t have sufficient bone density, you may need bone grafting, which we can discuss in more detail during your consultation.
Your dental implant options
We have a variety of dental implant options at Oasis. You may be more suited to a single tooth replacement, or another option, such as All-on-4 to replace multiple missing teeth within one procedure. We’ll discuss the most suitable option for you, and explain what will be involved with your chosen treatment.
Possible risks and complications
By conducting an oral health and general health assessment, we can determine if you are a suitable candidate for dental implants, which can prevent potential complications. We’ll outline the possible complications that can be associated with the procedure, so that you can feel informed about every aspect of your treatment.
Your treatment costs
A consultation will allow our team to accurately calculate the costs of your dental implants, considering your personal details. Treatment costs for our personalised titanium dental implants can vary from patient to patient.
If you’re ready to book your consultation, please contact our West End team!
What to expect during your dental implant process
Ideal dental implants will fit your oral health needs, while still blending in with your remaining natural teeth. That’s the result we strive for at Oasis.
We have different implant treatment options, so what you can expect during your procedure will depend on the type of implants you’ll need.
Placing dental implants is a multi-step process, which is best for lasting, secure and durable results. Typically, patients will need more than one visit to the dentist to complete the procedure process.
Our team will closely monitor you throughout the entire process, supporting your comfort levels, and minimising complications. Before your procedure, we’ll guide you through the process and explain what to expect. The surgical parts of your procedure will be performed with a local anaesthetic.
Preparation
The first step will always be to ensure that you are suitable for dental implants, and make any preparations, if needed (such as undergoing bone grafting first).
Placing your dental implants
When it comes to inserting your dental implants, the procedures generally work by surgically placing the implant into the jawbone. Our dental implants are placed at the root, making them stable, long-lasting and beneficial when it comes to restoring the connection between the tooth and the jaw.
Your dentist will need to access the underlying bone in the area, beneath the gum tissue. A small hole will be drilled into the bone, so that the titanium implant can be placed into the hole. Once the implant is placed, the overlying gum tissue is sutured closed.
Osseointegration (several weeks to a few months)
After your dental implants are placed, the area will need some time to heal, so that the bone can begin to bond with the implant. Essentially, this phase will secure the implant in place, stabilising the implant. The time this process takes can vary, but it generally takes several weeks to about three months, depending on the healing rate of the patient.
Uncovering the abutment (the dental implant’s connector)
Once the bone has successfully bonded with the dental implant, the top part of the implant will need to be uncovered. This top part, called the abutment, will connect the implant to a crown, bridge or denture, completing the restoration. The abutment of the implant will be exposed by making a small incision in the gum tissue.
Taking impressions of your teeth
To receive dental implants that fit your needs and blend in with your natural teeth, impressions will need to be taken of your teeth and sent to the dental laboratory. Based on the impressions, the tooth-replacement portion of your dental implant will be custom-made, in terms of shape, size and even colour.
Completing the dental implant
After the tooth-replacement part of your dental implants have been made, you’ll then return to our clinic to have them attached to the abutment. We’ll make sure that your implant is nice and stable, so that you have a durable, functional and lasting result.
Aftercare and the healing process
You’ll need some time to allow your gums to heal after receiving dental implants. Aftercare can involve following some instructions that we will provide, returning to the clinic for follow-up appointments, and maintaining a good dental hygiene routine.
Straight after your procedure
Since your implants were surgically placed, it will be normal to experience some discomfort, minor bleeding and swelling in the area. Patients can normally reduce pain with over-the-counter medication, and apply ice packs to the cheek to reduce swelling. We may recommend applying ice packs for the first 24 to 48 hours after your procedure to help minimise inflammation.
Up to one week after your procedure
We generally advise to follow a liquid or soft diet for the first few days up to a week, which can help prevent applying too much pressure on the new implant. We may also advise you to avoid hot and spicy foods, as these foods can sometimes irritate the area. Limiting exercise and getting plenty of rest can help the area heal, and reduce the chance of seeing any complications. You may still experience some pain, discomfort and swelling for up to a week, but make sure that you contact our clinic if you feel like your symptoms are getting worse. As always, maintaining good oral hygiene will also be important. We’ll guide you on how to follow a good dental hygiene routine after your procedure, in a way that won’t irritate the operated site.
Follow-up appointments
We’ll ask you to schedule some follow-up appointments after your dental implant procedure, so that we can monitor the progress. When assessing the progress of your healing, we may need to make some adjustments to make sure that the new implant fits well with your natural teeth and integrates with the surrounding bone. Follow-ups will also allow us to spot any signs of complications and treat them early.
Following a good dental hygiene routine
Good dental hygiene will be important after your procedure to prevent infection and support healing, but even in the much longer-term, your dental implant (just like your natural teeth!) will need proper care to maintain its quality. Our team can recommend some products to use, and provide you with some personalised advice on following a dental hygiene routine.
If you notice any concerning symptoms
Throughout your entire healing process, you’ll need to monitor the operated area and your general health. While our dentists will always put multiple measures in place to prevent complications, such as infection, they can sometimes still occur and need prompt treatment to prevent any further issues. If you do notice signs of complications, such as excessive swelling, pain or heat in the area, please don’t hesitate to contact our team for advice.
The costs of dental implants in West End, Brisbane
We offer different types of dental implant procedures at Oasis, and each procedure will need to be tailored to the patient’s dental needs.
After a full consultation, our team can provide you with a final quote, calculating your treatment costs.
Your treatment costs will include the costs of the dental implant, the use of our facilities, and any aftercare costs.
If you would like to get a general idea of our prices, you can take a look at our pricing breakdown here.
Dental Implants Price List
Can Medicare or private health insurance cover the costs of my dental implants?
Unfortunately, Medicare cannot cover the costs of dental care services.
However, your private health insurance cover may include some dental care procedures, depending on your level of cover. If you have private health insurance and would like to see if it may cover a portion of your dental implant costs, we recommend getting in touch with your provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will receiving dental implants be a painful process?
We perform your procedure with a local anaesthetic to minimise any discomfort. However, during the healing phases of the procedure, you can expect to feel some minor pain or discomfort, and notice some swelling. Patients can normally manage discomfort with pain medication and ice packs throughout their treatment journey.
I have multiple missing teeth - can I have multiple dental implants placed?
If you need to have multiple dental implants placed, our treatment options can accommodate this! You may be interested in placing multiple implants or undergoing a more comprehensive option, such as All-on-4, depending on your preferences and the number of teeth you need to replace.
When can I resume my normal daily routine after my dental implant procedure?
We recommend getting plenty of rest after your procedure, to allow the surgical site to heal nicely. Patients can usually resume light activities after a day or two, but we may advise you to avoid more strenuous exercise for up to a week.
How long will my dental implants last?
With a high success rate and when properly cared for, dental implants can last for many years. The key is to practice good oral hygiene and have regular check-ups to monitor your dental health.
