Dental implants are considered the gold standard for replacing missing or badly damaged teeth. Long-term studies have found that dental implants have high success rates ranging from 90% to 95% or higher over 10 years, depending on the type of implants used and where they are placed in the jaw.
When dental implants are placed by a qualified and experienced dentist, they can usually last a lifetime with proper care. Our expert dentists at Swish Dental can help you replace a singe tooth, multiple teeth or all of your teeth with high-quality, long-lasting implants at our local clinics in Everton Park and Mitchelton.
Who is a good candidate for dental implants?
The success of dental implants also depends on how suitable you are for the treatment, as there are some factors that could affect your eligibility. Generally, dental implants may be an option if:
- You have good oral health and don’t have gum disease
- Your jaw bone is dense enough to hold the implant
- You’re committed to maintaining good oral hygiene and not smoking during the healing period
Some factors that may make you less suitable and increase the risk of implant failure include:
- Poor oral health
- A small or weak jaw
- Heavy smoking or drug use
- Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
- Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, epilepsy and conditions that affect healing
- History of radiation therapy to the head or neck, heart transplant, immune suppression or other concerns
Our dentists will perform a detailed 3D bone scan to assess your teeth and jaws and determine your suitability for implant treatment. If you’re not a candidate for implants, we can discuss other options for replacing missing teeth.
What are some complications of dental implants?
If you’re a good candidate for dental implants and your treatment is provided by a skilled dentist, the risk of complications from implant surgery is low. However, it’s still important to know what the risks are, so you can make an informed decision. They can include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Damage to nerves or the surrounding teeth
- Sinus problems, for implants placed in the upper jaw
- The implant not fusing with the jaw bone
How to lower your risks
With good care, your dental implants will fully heal and last for many years, with most lasting a lifetime. Dental implants are very low maintenance compared to conventional dentures, but it’s still important to clean your implant bridge or implant-retained dentures and to maintain good oral hygiene generally. This includes:
- Brushing natural and replacement teeth twice a day
- Flossing daily
- Drinking plenty of water
- Not smoking
- Getting help to manage or prevent teeth grinding
- Talking to your doctor or other specialist about managing a related medical issue
It’s also important to attend your follow-up appointments so your dentist can monitor your progress and to visit the dental clinic twice a year for a routine check-up and hygiene treatments.
Book an implant consultation in Brisbane
Are you thinking about dental implants or other options for replacing teeth and restoring your smile? Contact our implant experts at Swish Dental clinics in Brisbane today. Call our Everton Park dentists on (07) 3355 1422 or our Mitchelton team on (07) 3354 3341, or book online.
References
Raikar S, Talukdar P, Kumari S, Panda SK, Oommen VM, Prasad A. Factors Affecting the Survival Rate of Dental Implants: A Retrospective Study. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2017 Nov-Dec;7(6):351-355. doi: 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_380_17. Epub 2017 Dec 29. PMID: 29387619; PMCID: PMC5774056.