Implant FAQ’s

Patients must undergo a comprehensive dental and medical evaluation to determine whether the implant placement procedure poses any health risks, and whether any factors exist that may affect the healing capacity of either their bones or their associated soft tissues.

1.Patients who are dentally and medically fit to participate in a general oral surgical procedure.
2.Patients whose gums have been assessed to be free of gum disease and have sufficient bone density to support the long-term placement of the implant.

Patients who have medical or other conditions that may interfere with the healing process of either their bones or soft tissues (e.g., connective tissue disorders, blood disorders, steroid therapy, bone infections, cigarette smoking amongst some of the major considerations) must carefully evaluate, with their dentists, the potential risks and benefits of using dental implants.

Typical dental implant services provided include replacement of a missing single tooth or groups of teeth by providing dental implant supported crowns and bridges. We also provide denture stabilization or replacement with fixed teeth using denture supports like bars, stud attachments or complete fixed implant bridges. We use all major implant brands with a range of options from straightforward tooth replacement to the more complex reconstructions. For typical example of the type of work we do and the dental implant solutions we can provide view our implant case studies.
Link to implant case studies

Like all surgical procedures dental implant surgery is an invasive treatment and you may experience some discomfort after the procedure. Your surgeon will discuss the benefits and risks of your particular surgery with you in detail prior to deciding on a particular approach. Every effort is made to reduce any discomfort during and after the procedure by adhering to our well-established protocols. Oral and intravenous sedation options are available for all surgical procedures.

Normal dental hygiene procedures brushing flossing and regular attendance with the dental hygienist will help keep your dental implant treatments healthy. A customized maintenance program to review your implant supported restorations be they crowns, bridges and implant supported overdentures will ensure you maintain a healthy environment around your dental implants.

Dental implants should not be used in patients that have inadequate amounts of bone to permit placement of implants in sufficient size and numbers to support their biomechanical loads (the restorative tooth/teeth to be placed on the implant). Mechanical failures, including fatigue fracture of implants, prosthetic screws, and/or abutment screws, may occur if dental implants are insufficient in size or number to support their biomechanical loads(the restorative tooth/teeth to be placed on the implant), or are not properly positioned.

To reduce the risk of overload or fatigue failure, dentists must place the implants and design prosthetics to accommodate the physical or medical conditions of their patients, such as bruxism (i.e., grinding or clenching of teeth), tooth or gum disease or unfavourable jaw relationships amongst many other considerations, which if not addressed adequately, will result in the failure of long-term treatment.

Yes. Some medications specifically a group of medications known as bisphosphenates used in the treatment of osteoporosis and some cancer treatments may have a direct effect on the recommendation of dental implant treatment.

To reduce the risk of overload or fatigue failure, dentists must place the implants and design prosthetics to accommodate the physical or medical conditions of their patients, such as bruxism (i.e., grinding or clenching of teeth), tooth or gum disease or unfavourable jaw relationships amongst many other considerations, which if not addressed adequately, will result in the failure of long-term treatment.

Tooth restorations are crowns, bridges, veneer/laminates and abutments. They are used in the restoration of existing teeth, the replacement of missing teeth, or the restoration of dental implants.

A crown is a tooth-shaped cap fitted over an existing tooth or an implant.

A bridge is two or more crowns joined together to replace a missing tooth, or teeth.

Veneers/laminates are a very thin layer of porcelain fixed to the front of the individual teeth to improve the surface and appearance of the tooth.

An abutment is small individualised fixture fitted to the top of an implant and serves as a foundation for a crown. The selection of each component of your restorative care is individualised, as the location and shape of each tooth is different and it is essential for all aspects of aesthetics to be considered at every step in the completion of complex dental care. A qualified prosthodontist is ideally placed to ensure all the detail of individualised patient care is considered at all times.

Restorative components are made from biocompatible ceramics, titanium, polymers and gold alloy. These materials are used to formulate many aesthetic products for use in dentistry, including crowns, bridges, laminates, and abutments. Such products may replace one single tooth or an entire arch of bridgework.

Patients must undergo a medical evaluation to determine any factors that put the patient at risk from the restoration placement procedure itself or factors that may affect healing capacities of the associated soft tissue.

Clinicians providing implant services have over 20yrs experience in providing a complete range of Prosthodontic Dental implant solutions ranging from single implant crowns to complex reconstructions. All clinicians involved in providing implant dentistry services at the Beacon Dental Clinic have received up to three years University Postgraduate Training in their respective specialties.

Delivery of your implant dentistry prescription is a collaborative project bringing together much clinical and technical expertise. We have long-established relationships with our master dental technician colleagues in the delivery of an integrated implant dentistry service. With the necessary expertise built up over many years of teamwork we provide durable and esthetic implant dentistry solutions to meet the most challenging requirements.
Link to implant case studies

Treatment schedules vary depending on particular circumstances. Your treatment can generally be completed over a 2-4 month time line during which you will be provided with interim temporary restorations. Four more complex cases a longer time line may be indicated in most cases of 6-12mts to improve the predictability and treatment outcome for your individual implant dentistry treatment.

Like any surgical procedure complications can arise around dental implant treatment. Though not common it can occur that implants may not integrate or fuse to the bone in which they are placed. I such circumstances the implant can be removed the site allowed to heal and the implant replaced again.

Prior to surgery you will be given an outline of potential problems around dental implant treatment. After surgery you will be prescribe the necessary medications to minimize post operative discomfort and improve healing.

As a very predictable form of treatment dental implants, if maintained and cared for properly, can be expected to last for a very long time period. Mechanical problems due to an excessively strong bite or unusual habits can lead to complications with implants. Disease processes due to infections, mechanical overload or poor general health can lead to problems in the bone and gum tissues around dental implants.

While dental implant treatment like any other surgical or prosthetic treatment cannot be guaranteed to last for any specific time period, your treatment will be designed to optimise the longevity of the dental implant treatment provided.

Consultations, diagnostics, treatment planning, surgical placement, temporary restoration and final restoration appointments combine to contribute to the professional costs of providing an implant dentistry service.

In addition materials and technical costs vary depending on the complexity of the design, the number and type of implants and components used and the technical input required. The choice of materials utilised in the construction, for example gold and precious metal or titanium and acrylics, and their relative cost differences in providing your implant dentistry service, also contribute to the individual costs computation.

Implants provide fixed teeth replacements as opposed to removable dentures. They preserve bone around the implant and prevent loss of vertical bone height. They can be used to replace or improve the fixation and stabilize ill-fitting complete dentures if all teeth are missing. The can improve both chewing function and appearance and contribute to the overall confidence of dental restorations.

Most reported success rate range from 90-95% in the lower jaw to high 80s to early 90s in the upper jaw. Loss of an implant however does not necessarily mean failure of the implant solution especially in the case of multiple 3 or more implants.

At the Beacon Dental Clinic implant surgery and restoration are provided by dentists who have specialist training in this area that is namely in the surgical placement of implants, a Periodontist / Oral Surgeon and in the Restoration of Implants, a Prosthodontist.

You will be advised as to a suitable maintenance program for the ongoing management of your dental implant supported dentistry.
Link to Hygiene Section