Bexley Dentist Advises Patients To Seek Dental Implants

NSW based Bexley Dental wishes to help patients learn what a dental implant procedure consists of and why they recommend it to replace lost teeth. Given that many patients may already be familiar with dentures or bridges, the clinic also seeks to explain why implants are widely considered to be the superior option. See more here: Dental Implants Dentist.

To illustrate why implants are better, the clinic says it is important to recognise why dentures and bridges are inherently faulty. The main reason, they say, is that both dentures and non-permanent bridges are not meant to be permanent solutions (even though some patients have been known to treat them as such). Dentures are an old-technology that virtually every household will be familiar with, especially given their prevalence in popular media in recent decades. However, anyone who has ever had dentures can attest that they are difficult — and therefore uncomfortable — to wear for extended periods, and their unstable placement means patients will still find it difficult to speak or enjoy a meal.

Tooth-supported bridges, on the other hand, also have an issue in that their installation requires the grinding down of healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth, compromising these teeth in the process. There are alternatives, known as resin-supported bridges that do not need to damage healthy teeth, but they can only be used on the incisors due to their relative frailty.

Dental implants neatly sidestep both of these issues by being placed securely into the patient’s jawbone, a permanent solution as the jawbone typically endures a full lifetime (if not longer). Metallic, screw-shaped cylinders replace the root of the lost tooth in this instance, providing a foundation for a replacement. Further, this implantation has a secondary effect that actually promotes bone health; it stimulates the bone in much the same way as a natural root, thereby prompting it to replenish itself. Without this stimulation, patients would endure bone loss over time.

Such implants, known as individual implants, are used when the patient has lost one or two neighbouring teeth. When there is greater loss, however, such as when half or full sets of teeth need to be replaced, a dentist will likely recommend that patients consider the All-On-4 treatment. An individual who has lost all 32 teeth, for instance, will therefore not need 32 individual implants to replace them. Instead, they only need four, hence the term ‘all on four.’

Here, Bexley Dental acknowledges that patients looking for a local provider may be confused by the difference in costs between various clinics. Since all dentists have to be licensed to legally provide this procedure, patients may assume that this simply represents a mark-up for some clinics — but this is not the case. Several factors determine how much a procedure costs, and patients should be aware that the most affordable option may also yield the worst results.

One of the biggest factors that determines the price of a procedure is the dentist’s experience. If they have received further training (post licence) and worked with many patients over the course of their career, today’s patients stand to gain the best results and the highest likelihood of longevity from their procedure. The dentist’s education and experience has a direct impact on the success of the procedure, which is variable, so patient’s may wish to invest more to ensure their dentist offers a top service. Similarly, some clinics may use substandard materials to cut corners and make their service more affordable, but this can come at the cost of durability, both in terms of the implant’s integrity as well as its natural appearance.

At Bexley Dental, patients undergoing this procedure will be taken care of by Dr. Theo Spyrakis, the clinic’s resident All-on-4 and Implant expert. His experience is extensive, and he has traveled all over the world to train with the top individuals in the field (including the founder of the technique). As such, his patients are always in good hands.

Patients may call or email Bexley Dental today to schedule a consultation and determine whether they are good candidates for the All-On-4 procedure. Dr. Spyrakis or another of the clinic’s dentists will evaluate their condition and offer their professional recommendation.