You can be free of worry. There’s no need to feel uncomfortable out in public, embarrassed because your smile looks different, or worrying that missing teeth will limit you from enjoying
social interactions.
After tooth loss or removal, a dental implant (artificial tooth root) is indeed a preferred tooth replacement option. Implants are screw-shaped implants that are surgically placed into your jawbone and join with the natural bone.
There are various kinds of dental implants which all have features that are beneficial to each of our patients. Based on the case analyzed on an individual basis a free video consultation with a professional OptiSmile dentist will reveal what is best for you.
Every person deserves a confident and beautiful smile. The positivity produced from genuine happiness is so contagious that anyone who sees it instantly feels the energy and beauty behind it. Restoring confidence is what we do.
Dental implants are a significant investment in your comfort and quality of life. They are a comfortable, fixed and permanent solution for missing teeth that look like natural teeth. Download our guide below for more details.
After tooth loss or removal, a dental implant (artificial tooth root) is indeed a preferred tooth replacement option. Implants are screw-shaped implants that are surgically placed into your jawbone and join with the natural bone. They serve as a foundation for dental crowns (artificial teeth).
To bring all of the parts together, an abutment (supporting tooth) is put between the implant and the crown. Crowns are also connected to dental bridges, removable dentures, and partial dentures by abutments.
A dental implant’s body is made up of three parts, each of which serves a particular purpose. The implant (or screw) acts as a substitute for the natural root of the tooth. The abutment connects the implant screw to the crown. The crown is a “fake” tooth that sits on the abutment. Porcelain crowns are made of a tooth-colored material that closely resembles the form and appearance of actual teeth.
Many implant patients have healthy teeth for the rest of their life or just have minor issues. However, tooth loss becomes more frequent after the age of 55.
Patients on medication for high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, or hypertension are at an even greater risk of tooth loss.
This is attributable to the fact that long-term medication use causes dry mouth, which increases tooth decay.
Book your free video consultation today with an OptiSmile dentist today.
Endosteal Implants
The most common type of implant today is an endosteal implant (also known as a root form implant). Titanium, small screws, and alloplastic material, which refers to an artificial tissue graft, are being used to construct them.
The jawbone is surgically attached with endosteal implants. The implants fuse with the native bone over time.
One of the main benefits of endosteal implants would be that the grafts can be placed without the requirement for surrounding teeth. This implant will enhance your smile while also reinforcing your jawbone.
Subperiosteal Implant
Subperiosteal implants are very uncommon. Patients who do not have enough natural jawbone to sustain endosteal implants may find that they are a superior option.
A subperiosteal implant is a dental implant that is inserted beneath the gums (on or above the jawbone). It is not placed into the jawbone surgically.
Subperiosteal implants can be installed in a single session if desired. These are the fastest-healing types of implants due to the fact that soft tissue heals more readily than bone.
Single Tooth Implant
A single dental implant is ideal when one tooth is missing and you want to replace it for esthetics, comfort, and function. Single implants require one dental crown that connects to the implant screw.
Implant-Supported Bridges
Implant-supported bridges are ideal for people with several missing teeth. The implant acts as an anchor for the bridge (instead of a natural tooth). A fixed dental bridge restores function by preventing other teeth from moving. It also improves eating and speaking functions.
All-On-Four Dental Implants
All-on-4 implants are recommended when a patient is looking for a secure solution for many missing teeth. This solution restores your entire upper or lower jaw (or both arches). This is a permanent restoration. However, the overdenture can be removed for cleaning and dental exams.
3-On-6 Dental Implants
An alternative to an implant-retained denture is a 3-on-6 implant. It consists of three individual dental bridges attached to six dental implants.
Book your free video consultation today with an OptiSmile dentist today.
Dental implants are a significant investment in your comfort and quality of life. They are a comfortable, fixed and permanent solution for missing teeth that look like natural teeth.
However, estimating the cost of dental implants is complicated as many factors determine the price. Factors that affect the cost of dental implants include:
Whether you need a bone graft.
How many implants do you need?
Whether you have gum problems.
Whether you need a tooth extraction.
Fortunately, OptiSmile will create a treatment plan for your case, explaining the project and all the costs associated with you.
Getting dental implants in South Africa costs a fraction of what you would pay abroad.
In addition, you still receive first-class service from highly qualified dentists who adhere to strict international safety standards.
Strong and stable, a dental implant restores a lost tooth so that it looks, feels, fits and functions like a natural tooth. They are the next best thing to healthy, natural teeth.
Adjusting to removable dentures can mean struggling to pronounce everyday words. Not so with dental implants, which function like natural healthy teeth.
A dental implant ensures there is no struggling jawbone which helps retain your natural face shape and smile. A face without teeth easily sags, appearing sunken and sad.
Taste and enjoy the foods you love with zero hesitation. You can bite naturally, eat virtually anything you want and, unlike removable dentures that can feel uncomfortable, you can experience the full taste of the food you eat.
Cavities can`t occur in an implant-restored crown, or replacement tooth. However, you will still need to visit your dentist regularly as well as clean and care for it and your gums, the same as you would if it were a natural tooth.
Leaving empty spaces in your mouth after losing one or more teeth can lead to additional health issues. When it is not being used to support a natural tooth, the jawbone deteriorates, losing strength, but not with implants.
During the initial consultation process your OptiSmile dentist will evaluate the current condition of your teeth to see if implants are the best solution for you. If they are, they’ll proceed to take pictures or your mouth and a mould, if required, so that Digital Smile Design technology can be used to give you an idea of how your new implants will look. The CEREC/CAD technology they use will also be instrumental in the creation of the implants once you are completely happy with how your new restored smile will look.
A dental implant is commonly made up of a titanium screw and a crown. A small-diameter hole is drilled where there is no tooth in order to guide the titanium screw that holds an implant in place. To avoid damaging important jaw and facial structures like the inferior alveolar nerve in the lower jaw.
After the initial pilot hole has been drilled into the appropriate jaw site, it is slowly widened to allow placement of the implant screw. Once it is in place, the surrounding gum tissue is secured over the implant and a protective cover screw placed on top to allow the area to heal and for osseointegration (the process of fusion between the dental implant and jawbone) to occur.
After up to six months of healing, OptiSmile will uncover the implant and attach an abutment (structure which holds the crown or tooth-like replacement) to the implant. In some instances, the abutment may be attached during the initial procedure. When the abutment is in place, we then create a temporary crown.
The temporary crown serves as a template around which the gum grows and shapes itself in a natural way. This process is then completed when the temporary crown is replaced with a permanent crown.
Dental implant recovery is dependent on a number of factors, one of them being the various procedures required to complete your treatment. Maintaining diligent oral hygiene habits is required to ensure proper fusing of the implant and bone structure.
Healing from the surgical procedure to place the dental implant(s) takes up to six months, while the fitting and seating of the crown(s) can take up to two months. But the timeframe depends on individual cases and treatments. Follow-up appointments are essential for monitoring your progress.
For several days after the surgery, your diet should be restricted to soft foods. If there are stitches present, they may need to be removed, however, self-dissolving stitches that do not require removal are typically used.
Failing to brush and floss is a leading cause of implant failure, and infection can also occur if the implant and surrounding areas are not properly cleaned. Smoking is also attributed to high failure and should be avoided following implant procedures.
A dental implant acts as a replacement for the root of a missing tooth. In turn, this “artificial tooth root” serves to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Having a dental implant fused to the jawbone is the closest thing to mimicking a natural tooth because it stands on its own without affecting the nearby teeth and has great stability. “osseointegration.”
Dentures and bridges mounted to implants won’t slip or shift in your mouth. This secure fit helps the dentures and bridges as well as individual crowns placed over implants to feel more natural than conventional bridges or dentures.
For some people, ordinary bridges and dentures are simply not comfortable or even possible, due to sore spots, poor ridges or gagging. An advantage of implants is that no adjacent teeth need to be prepared or ground down to hold your new replacement tooth/teeth in place. To receive implants, you need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. You must also commit to keeping these structures healthy. Meticulous oral hygiene and regular dental visits are critical to the long-term success of dental implants.
Depending on your teeth, both the take-home and the in chair options can achieve maximum whiteness. Both the take-home whitening and the in-chair whitening need to be customized to suit each person and the in chair needs to be combined with take-home whitening to ensure the colour holds and so you can maintain the colour at home monthly. Home bleaching may take an average of 4-6 weeks, and the more in chair whitening you do, the less homework you need to do. Once results have been achieved its easy to keep the colour looking good in as little as 30 mins once a month at home
Have a reasonable amount of bone tissue to accommodate an implant within your jaw.
If not, these may be reconstructed by your periodontist
Be free from periodontal diseases, which are best treated by a periodontist
Be a non-smoker (you’ll have to give up smoking during the healing process at the very least). Smoking may negatively influence long-term success of your implant
Have your non-restorable teeth removed by your periodontist in preparation for an immediate or eventual implant restoration
Technically, a dental implant is a small but very strong post made from biocompatible metals or ceramics. Under local anesthetic, it is inserted into the jaw bone in place of the missing tooth root and acts as a support for the tooth. Dental implant therapy is today’s long-term, state of the art restoration technique that can cover all indications. It has been scientifically tested and used in the last three decades by qualified dentists and surgeons worldwide.
For some people, ordinary bridges and dentures are simply not comfortable or even possible, due to sore spots, poor ridges or gagging. An advantage of implants is that no adjacent teeth need to be prepared or ground down to hold your new replacement tooth/teeth in place.
Dentures and bridges mounted to implants won’t slip or shift in your mouth. This secure fit helps the dentures and bridges as well as individual crowns placed over implants to feel more natural than conventional bridges or dentures.
Strong and stable, a dental implant restores a lost tooth so that it looks, feels, fits and functions like a natural tooth. They are the next best thing to healthy, natural teeth.
Adjusting to removable dentures can mean struggling to pronounce everyday words. Not so with dental implants, which function like natural teeth.
A dental implant ensures there is no sagging jawbone which helps retain your natural face shape and smile. A face without teeth can easily sag, appearing sunken and sad.
Taste and enjoy the foods you love without hesitation. You can bite naturally, eat virtually anything you want and, unlike removable dentures that can feel uncomfortable, you can experience the full taste of the food you eat.
Cavities can’t occur in an implant-restored crown, or replacement tooth. However, you will still need to visit your dentist regularly as well as clean and care for it and your gums, the same as you would if it were a natural tooth.
Dentures may slip when you eat, talk, smile, laugh, kiss, yawn or cough. Dental implants are fixed in place and fuse naturally with your jawbone, meaning your replacement teeth won’t move, click or shift.
Leaving empty spaces in your mouth after losing one or more teeth can lead to additional health issues. When it is not being used to support a natural tooth, the jawbone deteriorates, losing its strength and firmness. Dental implants are the only dental restoration option that preserves and stimulates natural bone growth.
Traditional, tooth-supported dental bridges usually last a maximum of 10 years if they are properly cared for, and at some point, they may need to be replaced. While dental implants may need periodic adjustments, they can last a lifetime when properly placed and cared for.
Dental implant treatment has a track record of reliable, long-term successful outcomes and is often considered more predictable than other treatments. Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth, or all of the teeth. The goal of teeth replacement is to restore function as well as aesthetics.
Placing a tooth-supported bridge requires grinding away the teeth on one or both sides of the missing tooth or teeth – thereby damaging healthy teeth to restore those that are missing. The modified healthy teeth are attached to, and support, the bridge. Dental implants go in the jawbone, in the spot where your missing tooth root was, without impacting healthy teeth. They also help prevent healthy, adjacent teeth from shifting as they would if an empty space were left for an extended period of time.
With dental implants each case is different, however, in general, to be suitable you must:
A dental implant is a surgical fixture that is placed into the jawbone and allowed to fuse with the bone over the span of a few months. They are metal posts or frames that are surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath your gums. Once in place, they allow us to mount replacement teeth onto them.
At OptiSmile we utilise advanced computerised dentistry technology and thanks to our CEREC systems, can provide implant treatment in just one session. This technology also allows us to provide patients with inlays, onlays, crowns and veneers in only one appointment. Our CEREC CAD systems can produce a computer-designed restoration of your tooth in less than 2 hours.
Over time, technology and science have progressed to greatly improve the outcomes of dental implant placement. Dental implants can last a lifetime, providing welcome relief from the noticeable signs of aging that premature tooth loss can hasten.
They will blend naturally with your remaining teeth, without damaging them. In fact, dental implants can preserve the adjacent bone and gum tissue that is often worn down with conventional dentures and bridgework. Dental implants can provide our patients with the self-confidence that a complete smile brings.
What options are available to you?
There are 3 different types of dental implants. Depending on your individual circumstances, your Smile approved dental professional will decide which kind is best suited to you. The dental implants in Cape Town cost is determined by factors such as the type of teeth implants used.
Cylinder or screw-shaped, endosseous implants are made of metal, ceramic or ceramic-coated metal and are placed within the jawbone.
Subperiosteal implants consist of a metal framework that attaches on top of the jawbone but underneath the gum tissue.
Transosteal implants are either a metal pin or a u-shaped frame that passes through the jawbone and the gum tissue into the mouth.
Optismile does the best teeth implants in Cape Town. Our dentists will thoroughly explain the available options to you and discuss the tooth implant cost as well.
The first question that you will need to ask is: “am I a suitable candidate for a dental implant procedure?”
Procedures such as teeth whitening may sometimes be a ‘one size fits all’, with dental implants each case is different, however, in general, to be suitable you must:
When it comes to tooth replacement, generally, there are three options:
1) removable dental appliance (full denture or partial denture).
2) fixed dental bridge (cemented)
3) dental implant.
Deciding on which option to choose depends on many factors. Specifically, for dental implants, these factors include:
OptiSmile examines the area to be considered for a dental implant and makes a clinical assessment of whether that patient is a good candidate for the dental implant.
During the initial consultation process your OptiSmile dentist will evaluate the current condition of your teeth to see if implants are the best solution for you. If they are, they’ll proceed to take pictures or your mouth and a mould, if required, so that Digital Smile Design technology can be used to give you an idea of how your new implants will look. The CEREC/CAD technology they use will also be instrumental in the creation of the implants once you are completely happy with how your new restored smile will look.
A dental implant is commonly made up of a titanium screw and a crown. A small-diameter hole is drilled where there is no tooth in order to guide the titanium screw that holds an implant in place. To avoid damaging important jaw and facial structures like the inferior alveolar nerve in the lower jaw.
After the initial pilot hole has been drilled into the appropriate jaw site, it is slowly widened to allow placement of the implant screw. Once it is in place, the surrounding gum tissue is secured over the implant and a protective cover screw placed on top to allow the area to heal and for osseointegration (the process of fusion between the dental implant and jawbone) to occur.
After up to six months of healing, OptiSmile will uncover the implant and attach an abutment (structure which holds the crown or tooth-like replacement) to the implant. In some instances, the abutment may be attached during the initial procedure. When the abutment is in place, we then create a temporary crown.
The temporary crown serves as a template around which the gum grows and shapes itself in a natural way. This process is then completed when the temporary crown is replaced with a permanent crown.
Dental implant recovery is dependent on a number of factors, one of them being the various procedures required to complete your treatment. Maintaining diligent oral hygiene habits is required to ensure proper fusing of the implant and bone structure.
Healing from the surgical procedure to place the dental implant(s) takes up to six months, while the fitting and seating of the crown(s) can take up to two months. But the timeframe depends on individual cases and treatments. Follow-up appointments are essential for monitoring your progress.
For several days after the surgery, your diet should be restricted to soft foods. If there are stitches present, they may need to be removed, however, self-dissolving stitches that do not require removal are typically used.
Failing to brush and floss is a leading cause of implant failure, and infection can also occur if the implant and surrounding areas are not properly cleaned. Smoking is also attributed to high failure and should be avoided following implant procedures.
A dental implant acts as a replacement for the root of a missing tooth. In turn, this “artificial tooth root” serves to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Having a dental implant fused to the jawbone is the closest thing to mimicking a natural tooth because it stands on its own without affecting the nearby teeth and has great stability. “osseointegration.”
Dentures and bridges mounted to implants won’t slip or shift in your mouth. This secure fit helps the dentures and bridges as well as individual crowns placed over implants to feel more natural than conventional bridges or dentures.
For some people, ordinary bridges and dentures are simply not comfortable or even possible, due to sore spots, poor ridges or gagging. An advantage of implants is that no adjacent teeth need to be prepared or ground down to hold your new replacement tooth/teeth in place. To receive implants, you need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. You must also commit to keeping these structures healthy. Meticulous oral hygiene and regular dental visits are critical to the long-term success of dental implants.
At OptiSmile we use endosteal dental implants. These are surgically implanted directly into the jawbone. Once the surrounding gum tissue has healed, a second surgery is needed to connect a post to the original implant. Finally, an artificial tooth (or teeth) is attached to the post-individually, or grouped on a bridge or denture.
The great majority of modern implants today are endosteal (i.e. placed with alveolar bone) in design.
Endosteal implants are subdivided into several different types characterised by their geometry, shape, surfaces and function and materials:
Enjoy life without worrying about your teeth. There’s no need to feel uncomfortable out in public, embarrassed because your smile looks different, or worry that missing teeth will limit you from enjoying social interactions. No need to worry that removable dentures or tooth-supported replacement teeth will loosen or fall out when you talk, eat or laugh. Teeth restored with dental implants are teeth that let you lead your life with confidence. Contact OptiSmile today to make an appointment or simply to find out more about the procedure.
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