Sometimes a tooth simply can't be saved. Occasionally, you will be able to function without a replacement for that tooth, however, there are many scenarios where you will need (or want) to replace a missing tooth. One of these options is through the placement of a Dental Implant.
We are lucky enough to have Dr Kevin Yeager as part of our team here at Banksia House Dental Maleny. Kevin has placed over 4000 Dental Implants in his career! This is extraordinary. What's more extraordinary is that he still treats every single case with the utmost care and diligence.
So what is a Dental Implant, and why might it be the right choice for you?
A Dental Implant is a beautifully engineered screw that is used in place of the root of your missing tooth. Here at Banksia House Dental Maleny, we use the M.I.S implant system which is manufactured from a super high purity medical grade titanium. The surface is then acid-etched and sand-blasted to give the best possible surface quality to integrate into your own bone structure.
Dental Implants can also support a denture. If you are having problems with your dentures not staying in place no matter what you try, this may be a solution. Aaron Pryor of Denture Care Maleny can work in with Dr Yeager in a team approach to determine if this is a good option for you.
Dental Implants are not for everyone. There is a careful process we need to work through with you to determine if this is a good option for you. The first thing to do would be scans and x-rays to give Kevin a clear picture of what the bone looks like in the area he would need to place the Dental Implant. This will involve you attending a specialist Radiography Clinic on the Sunshine Coast or Nambour.
Kevin will see you for a long consultation during which time he will check...
- that your jawbone is healthy
- that you have enough bone to hold the implant
- any medical conditions you have and what medications you are taking
- if you have a history of gum disease
Kevin will also discuss with you possible complications involved with Dental Implants and answer any questions you may have. Long term post-operative needs, such as Oral Hygiene regimes, will also be discussed. If all this looks good, Kevin will then develop a treatment plan for you to consider.
Once you've had time to think about what has been discussed, and decide to go ahead with your Dental Implant, we will book you in for your appointments as outlined on the treatment plan.
Kevin will examine your x-ray images and the site of the missing tooth to determine the most ideal size and shape of Dental Implant to use. He will then carefully place the implant into the bone in your jaw where the roots of the missing tooth once sat. He will use a local anaesthetic to make you as comfortable as possible during this placement.
We then let the wonder of time do it's thing for around about 3 months. This allows your bone to integrate into the carefully prepared surface of the implant, which helps to hold it in place.
Once we are happy the Dental Implant is securely integrated into the bone, an artificial tooth, or crown, is then manufactured. This will be placed onto top on the artificial root. The crown is like a bespoke piece of jewellery, made especially to look like your other teeth by our specialist laboratory in Melbourne.
Of course any surgical or invasive procedure carries risk. Prior to accepting treatment you should feel free to seek a second opinion from a suitably qualified practitioner.
