Dental Implants

This treatment is usually a joint effort between your oral surgeon and your dentist.  During your first visit we will discuss your anaesthesia options and will take models of your mouth along with photos and an x-ray of your teeth and jaws.  A plan will be developed specifically for your requirements and the surgery planned.  

Dental implants are a way to replace missing teeth or help provide support for full or partial dentures.  A titanium implant which is designed as a replacement for the root of your tooth can be placed into the jawbone where it becomes ‘osseointegrated’.  This means that the body will actually grow bone directly to the implant surface and stabilise it.  After approximately 3-6 months of healing, the implant will be ready for the final tooth (crown) to be placed on top of it.  

Full arch Implants

Dental implants can also be used to replace an entire jaw (upper or lower) of teeth.  This can be done to support and retain dentures or a full arch of teeth that can be removed and cleaned by the the patient.  Alternatively implants can also be used to support a full arch of teeth that are only removable by your dentist (fixed arch teeth).  This is often known as “all on x”; the number of implants required can vary but usually ranges from 4 to 8 implants per jaw.

Zygomatic Implants

Zygomatic implants are placed directly into the zygomatic bone, or cheek bone, instead of the upper jaw.  This may be an option for patients who have insufficient bone in the upper jaw and are not candidates for bone grafting.  

Custom (patient specific) Implants

This can be an alternative to zygomatic implants for patients with little or no available bone for traditional dental implants.  A custom titanium implant can be manufactured from a 3D scan of your jaws.