Curious about having oral implants fitted? Your top 5 FAQs answered



Fed up with having missing teeth and want to do something about it?  Aside from being an aesthetic issue, a missing tooth or teeth can cause problems with biting, chewing and oral hygiene in general. In years gone by, the only option to restore missing teeth was either dentures, a fitted bridge or a partial denture; all of which could cause issues with rubbing and ulcers, not to mention the problems that can come with a weakened bite. Fast forward to 2021 and there is a new way to restore the strength lost with missing teeth without the hassle of movement or ulcers; oral implants! Attached to the jaw, oral implants are hardy, durable and allow you to bite just like real teeth do, all the while blending seamlessly in with your natural teeth. Have some queries about dental implants Wagga? Here, some of the most commonly searched queries are answered. 

Does the fitting hurt? 
The fitting of an oral implant has been compared to having a tooth extracted; in short, it may be uncomfortable. Any associated discomfort should be manageable with over the counter pain relief, but if you experience extreme soreness, contact your dentist. 

How long do they take to fuse? 
Typically, an original oral implant (endosteal) will take 3-6 months to fuse to your jawbone, but this is dependent on your general health, age and lifestyle choices.  Other varieties may take longer, but a subperiosteal implant requires no fusing time at all. 

What options are there if I’m not suitable? 
The traditional implant (endosteal) requires you to have good oral health and a strong jaw that is not diseased or degenerating. If you are not suitable for endosteal, then you may be able to have a different implant type, such as subperiosteal, zygomatic or micro. They all use the same principle, except for subperiosteal which are not fitted to the jawbone, but resemble a frame that is placed between the jaw and the gum. Your dentist will be able to provide you with more information on which type you may be suited to. 

How long do they last on average? 
On average, oral implants last 20-25 years. But this varies based on the person's age when they have them fitted, their overall health and lifestyle choices like smoking. If you are in good health and do not smoke, then your oral implants may last the rest of your life without issue. 

Can I have them replaced? 
It would be very rare to need to have oral implants replaced. However, in the event that the crown (prosthetic tooth or teeth) become damaged, your dentist will easily be able to replace these with a duplicate of the original. If you need to have the entire implant replaced due to a degenerative condition (such as osteoporosis), then you may need to have a different kind of implant fitted, such as subperiosteal, or you may be more suited for a fitted bridge or dentures, as these do not require a strong jawbone to be successfully fitted. 

DISCLAIMER 
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.