A missing tooth can affect how you feel about your smile, or how easily you can eat your favourite foods. One option for replacing that tooth (or multiple teeth) is to get a dental implant. 

In 2022, more than 100,000 Australians chose dental implants over other dental restoration treatments, such as dentures and bridges, or not replacing the tooth at all.

For those who go ahead with the treatment, the implant delivers a more reliable, natural-looking and feeling tooth replacement. And with the right care, they will stay put and look their best for at least 15 years. 

What are dental implants?

Tooth implants are used to replace one or more teeth. You may want dental implants or full-mouth implants if:

• one or more of your teeth are missing 
• you want the look and feel of a natural tooth.

The procedure itself involves placing a titanium, screw-like fitting into the jaw bone. This is the implant, and its job is to anchor the new tooth so it stays put, much like a natural tooth’s root. 

Implants come in different sizes, and which one is used will depend on:

• the tooth being replaced
• the size of your mouth and jaw
• the gap that needs to be filled. 

Once the implant is fitted, attention turns to the aesthetic aspect of the tooth. This means designing, milling and painting a natural-looking ceramic crown that is placed on top of the implant so it looks, feels and functions like a natural tooth. 

It can take anywhere between 3 and 6 months to complete dental implant treatment. Total treatment time is influenced by:

• your current oral health 
• the number of implants you’re having 
• how well you heal 
• appointment availability.

To better understand the steps involved when getting dental implants (and the possible costs associated with your treatment), read our guide to dental implant costs in Australia.   

How to keep your teeth and mouth clean immediately after having an implant

[copy] Brushing your teeth right after implant surgery isn’t advisable. But you do need to keep your mouth clean to avoid infection and aid healing. To do that you should:

• stick to a soft food diet for around 3 weeks (or at least avoid chewing hard food at the implant site)
• rinse twice a day with a chlorhexidine mouthwash or apply a chlorhexidine gel to the implant site.

Only when the tissue has healed enough and it feels comfortable should you use a post-surgical brush to clean the implant site. (Your dentist can suggest the best place to buy these in your area, or may even stock them in their practice.) 

Everyday care and cleaning when you have dental implants

The beauty of dental implants is they’re almost as strong as your natural teeth. And like natural teeth, they can cope with all sorts of food. (Yes, even sticky toffees.) They can also be cared for and cleaned in much the same way as your other teeth.   

Brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush

Whether you use a manual or electric toothbrush, choose one with soft bristles. Soft-bristled brushes remove just as much tartar and plaque as medium- or hard-bristled brushes. They’re also less likely to damage your gums or make them bleed. 

Brush twice a day

You should brush your teeth in the morning and before you go to bed. Brushing at these times maximises the amount of plaque build-up the brush removes. (Your mouth dries out overnight. And food builds up as you eat during the day.) 

Floss using Superfloss or a Waterpik

You only need to floss once a day. But instead of using regular dental floss, use Superfloss. Designed for cleaning with braces, bridges and implants, Superfloss has stiff nylon ends and a thicker, spongy surface in the middle. It’s ideal for getting between wide gaps for a thorough clean. 

If you find handling floss difficult, try a Waterpik instead. It shoots pressurised water through an angled tip to blast plaque away from between teeth and gums.

Choose a regular toothpaste

Toothpastes that advertise as whitening or brightening (e.g. charcoal toothpastes) can affect the implant crown. And some toothpastes are extra abrasive to help remove stains, which can damage the implant. A regular tartar control toothpaste (ideally with the seal of approval from the Australian Dental Association) will be just right.  

See your dentist

The best way to make sure your implants are in good nick is to see your dentist as advised so they can take a look at them. Checkups will give your dentist a chance to catch any little problems before they become big issues, and offer specific cleaning advice. 

Cleaning full-mouth dental implants

There’s not a huge difference between cleaning a single implant and All on 4 dental implants. The main thing to note is that full-mouth tooth implants involve fitting a bridge to either the upper or lower jaw. This means food gets stuck more easily between the bridge and the gumline, which increases the risk of plaque build-up and peri-implantitis. (More on this shortly.)  

Minimise build-up by using an interdental brush or sulcus brush at least once a day (ideally after every meal). These small, thin brushes can get into hard-to-reach places so food can’t linger long enough to become a problem. 

Good oral hygiene leads to a good dental implant experience

As with natural teeth, your dental implants will look and feel their best if you follow good oral hygiene routines. Proper cleaning minimises the appearance of discolouration, and keeps them working as they should. It also decreases the risk of developing peri-implantitis. 

Peri-implantitis is the dental implant equivalent of gum disease. Bacteria get between the screw-like dental implant and the abutment (the part that attaches the crown to the implant). Symptoms can include bad breath, bleeding around the implant site, inflamed gums, and pain when eating. 

Left untreated, peri-implantitis will lead to implant failure. Your best defence against developing peri-implantitis is to brush, floss, and see your dentist. 

Delivering dental implant treatment and care in Central Queensland

Getting dental implants isn’t something you do on a whim. Treatment costs, expected outcomes and time needed all need to be understood, evaluated and planned for before hitting ‘go’. 

Whether you’re at the start of your dental implant journey or ready to take the next step, Keppel Dental can help. Using the latest digital dentistry technologies and high-quality dental implant products, we can deliver the best dental implant care possible for patients in Central Queensland and beyond.

Contact us, and one of our friendly staff will book your free first consultation with me, Dr Luke. We’ll discuss the procedure, timelines and estimated cost for your treatment, along with any concerns you have.

While losing a single tooth isn’t much fun, you can still eat, drink, and smile as normal. But if you lose several teeth, things may get a little harder. 

Losing several teeth in the upper or lower jaw:

• can make it difficult to chew and enjoy the foods you liked when you had all your teeth
• may feel uncomfortable or even painful, as more of your gum is exposed
• can affect your self-esteem and willingness to smile.

Eventually, losing multiple teeth can lead to the jaw bone shrinking. The jaw relies on the chewing action to keep it strong and active. But if that isn’t happening (because there are no teeth to chew with), the face can start collapsing in on itself, resulting in an aged look.

Enter modern dentistry and tooth replacement treatments

When you lose a tooth (or multiple teeth), there are a few things you can try to carry on eating, smiling, and chewing your friend’s ear off as normal. 

One option is to get dentures. These can be full-arch dentures made of acrylic, or partial dentures that can either be made out of acrylic or have a cobalt chrome framework. In either case, the denture is removable.

A fixed option is a bridge. The teeth on either side of a gap are prepared for crowns, and then a ceramic bridge is fabricated and cemented onto the teeth to fill the gap. But while this can work for one or two missing teeth, this option may not be as predictable if more teeth are missing.

Another option is to get full-mouth implants. When you’ve got several teeth missing from the upper or lower jaw, All on 4 (a common name given to full-mouth implants) may be better than getting several individual ones. 

Full-mouth implants involve fitting 4 or more titanium screw-like implants into your jaw bone. A row of prosthetic teeth—called a bridge—is then fitted into the implants so you can crack on with life as normal.

These are considered a more permanent tooth-replacement option because once they’re in, they’re in. The implant performs the same function as the root of a natural tooth.  

The 5 steps to getting full-mouth dental implants

Understanding what’s involved in this tooth replacement treatment can help you work out whether it’s the right option for you. The whole process can take several months, and has 5 clear stages. 

Step 1: Initial consultation

Before starting treatment, it’s important to work out whether you’re a good candidate. Your dentist will:

• look at your teeth
• take scans and x-rays of your gums and jawbones
• talk to you about your lifestyle (e.g. whether you smoke, which can affect implant success)
• discuss any current oral health challenges that need addressing.

Your dentist will let you know whether it’s right for you within the first hour of your first face-to-face consultation. If it’s not, your dentist can explore other workable options based on what they’ve learned.

Step 2: Planning for implant surgery

The key to successful implant treatment is making sure the implants are going into a strong and healthy mouth. Pre-surgery groundwork includes:

• treating existing gum disease
• taking detailed 3D scans of your mouth using an intraoral scanner
• printing a 3D surgical guide, which is used to position your implants correctly
• designing your temporary and final full-arch teeth or dental bridge
• completing extra dental work such as tooth extraction, sinus lift, or gum and bone grafting.

Planning gives us the information we need about the shape of your mouth and bite, and ensures the implants will go into healthy bone. We’ll create the surgical guide from the scans, and mill both the temporary and final dental bridge.

Step 3: Fitting the implants

Tooth extractions, grafting treatment and sinus lifts can be done while we’re placing your implants. This keeps the time you’re in the treatment room to a manageable amount. Once the implants are in, we’ll fit your temporary arch, which is made from acrylic. These teeth are robust, so you can keep eating, drinking and smiling while the bone and gums fuse around the implants. (It takes around 3 months.) 

However, acrylic teeth aren’t built to last forever. But that’s okay, because your final arch will be. 

Step 4: Final bridge placement

Your final prosthetic teeth will be milled from zirconia ceramic. This material is stronger than acrylic, and lasts longer. But the real benefit is it looks and feels more like natural teeth. During this appointment, we’ll explain what you need to do at home to keep your new teeth looking great.

Step 5: Routine checkup

Around two weeks after we fit your final bridge we’ll invite you in for a check-up. We’ll make sure everything is healing correctly, and fine-tune your full arch or bridge if you’re feeling any discomfort.

Is this the best treatment for you?

Now that you know what full-mouth dental implants are, it’s important to weigh up the final investment: do you have the time and the dollars? 

At Keppel Dental we’re very open about the cost involved and the care we provide to our patients. You’ll find all the details on our dedicated All on 4 page. 

Delivering dental implant treatment and care in Central Queensland

Getting dental implants isn’t something you do on a whim. Treatment costs, expected outcomes and time needed all need to be understood, evaluated and planned for before hitting ‘go’. 

Whether you’re at the start of your dental implant journey or ready to take the next step, Keppel Dental can help. Using the latest digital dentistry technologies and high-quality dental implant products, we can deliver the best dental implant care possible for patients in Central Queensland and beyond.

Contact us, and one of our friendly staff will book your free first consultation with me, Dr Luke. We’ll discuss the procedure, timelines and estimated cost for your treatment, along with any concerns you have. 

Modern dentistry focuses heavily on making your time in the chair as comfortable as possible. Sadly, though, many patients still carry memories of outdated dental practices that caused them discomfort and pain. These memories and associations are so strong that they trigger an automatic worry that all oral health procedures will hurt. 

So it’s no wonder that committing to dental treatment that involves some level of dental surgery, such as getting dental implants, can raise some painful questions. It’s natural to want to know, how much pain and for how long?

This is a fair question. It’s rare for people to willingly put themselves through pain. And pay thousands for the privilege. So on a scale of ‘totally painless ’ to ‘get me the heck out of here’, what can you expect when you have a dental implant or full mouth implants?

The good news: you’ll feel very little pain during the procedure

Inserting a dental implant means placing a titanium screw-like fitting into the jaw bone. This is the implant and it works a lot like a natural tooth’s root. 

To place the implant without causing you any discomfort, we numb the area with a local anaesthetic. Work to fit the dental implant only begins once the anaesthetic has kicked in, so during the procedure you’ll feel very little. 

What some people do experience—and may confuse with pain—is pressure and movement as the implant is fitted. This can be a little uncomfortable or feel forceful. 

What to expect after the procedure

As the anaesthetic wears off, you can expect some tenderness around the treatment site. This should pass within a day or less, although some people can experience discomfort around the treatment site for 2-3 days. Certainly within a week, as healing progresses and any bleeding around the site stops, your mouth should feel almost back to normal. 

It’s also fairly common to experience

• minor bruising around your jawline, depending on where the implant was fitted
• some swelling around the gums and face
• jaw ache or soreness.

Most patients can return to their regular daily activities 24-48 hours after the procedure. The single (and temporary) difference being how they chew their food. Eating on  the opposite side of the mouth to where they had treatment will feel better.

The mouth can heal very quickly. It takes a bit longer for the bone to fuse to the implant. This can take 3-4 months, but you definitely shouldn’t be feeling any pain or discomfort as that happens.

Managing any discomfort

Before you leave the practice, your dentist will talk to you about pain relief options and what you can do at home to help with the healing process. Recommendations depend on:

• your general health 
• any other medications you’re taking
• what your dentist expects you to encounter based on the position of the implant in your mouth 
• how many implants have been fitted. 

When to see your dentist about implant pain

As mentioned above, most discomfort and tenderness should ease or disappear within a few days—a week at the most. If a week after your treatment, you’re still experiencing discomfort or pain,  or there’s bleeding around the treatment site, contact your practitioner. These may be signs that an infection is present or that the implant isn’t fusing to the bone. 

Delivering dental implant treatment and care in Central Queensland

Getting dental implants isn’t something you decide on a whim. Understanding treatment costs, expected outcomes and time frames is vital. With this information you can evaluate your options, make a plan and then hit ‘go.’ 

Whether you’re at the start of your dental implant journey or ready to take the next step, Keppel Dental can help. We use the latest digital dentistry technologies and high-quality dental implant products, to deliver the best dental implant care possible for patients in Central Queensland and beyond.

Contact us, and one of our friendly staff will book your free first consultation with me, Dr Luke. We’ll discuss your concerns, the procedure, the timelines and the estimated cost for your treatment. 

Sooner or later, every patient considering dental implants will debate whether they’re worth the time, money, and effort. They’ll sound the idea out with their partner, friends who have and haven’t had implant surgery, and (hopefully) their dentist. Seeking a range of perspectives is no bad thing. Because even in simple cases the process involves 

• multiple appointments with your dentist 
• costs similar to buying a car 
• oral surgery
• time to heal. 

That super brief, 4 point summary of how the treatment works doesn’t sound great. But, honestly,  the only way to decide if dental implants are worth it, is by acknowledging the less great bits, as well as the benefits. 

As Keppel Dental’s lead implant dentist, I’ve discussed dental implants with hundreds of patients. Because providing patients with relevant, accurate information puts them in a strong position to make an informed decision. In this short article I’m offering you the same information, along with an article link you may find useful as you get deeper into your research. 

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is made up of two parts—a titanium, screw-like fitting placed into the jaw bone, and a prosthetic crown, bridge or full arch.

The screw-like fitting (the actual implant) works like a natural tooth’s root, anchoring the prosthetic tooth so it doesn’t move. It’s this stability (and longevity) that makes dental implants such an appealing tooth replacement option.

Almost as good as natural teeth 

Once an implant fuses with the jaw bone (osseointegration) it’s as strong as a natural tooth. Nothing is off the menu. And things like sneezing, coughing, or even smiling can feel more comfortable when there’s no risk of your prosthetic teeth slipping (or flying) out. 

Implants are also really easy to care for. You clean them in much the same way as you clean your natural teeth. And if they’re kept in good nick, they can last 10-20 years. (Their longevity definitely helps offset the initial financial outlay, but more on that shortly.) 

Then, of course, there’s how they look.

The titanium-screw sits within the jaw and gum, completely invisible. While the prosthetic can be designed and painted to look just like the rest of your natural teeth. 

Having a false tooth (or teeth) that closely mimic the real thing is also good for your jaw health. The action of chewing keeps the jaw bone strong, while the tooth itself supports the position and shape of the jaw. 

Gaps left by missing teeth will eventually contribute to the weakening of the jaw bone. Over time, the shape of the face will change as the bone deteriorates through lack of use. The result is a reduced jawline and sunken-face.   

The financial cost of dental implants

Getting dental implants in Australia is expensive compared to some other parts of the world. There’s no point trying to hide that. A single implant can cost $3,049-$7,175, while full mouth implants are $25,000-$80,000. (Sometimes more.) The final costs are dictated by things like  

• where you get your treatment
• the number of implants you need 
• the size of the implants being used 
• extra dental work to support the implant
• the implant manufacturer. 

Deciding that dental implants are worth it and going ahead with treatment is a commitment to your oral health. It’s a statement that you’re ready to prioritise your teeth and the health of your mouth. 

Understand the cost of the treatment by reading these articles 

• A guide to dental implant costs in Australia
• 10 signs that dental implants are right for you

The treatment process

Implants don’t just demand financial investment. They need your time as well. Here are the 5 steps and stages involved in getting an implant. (Although these may vary depending on an individual patient’s needs. )

1. The initial consultation, which involves taking scans and x-rays of your mouth to establish if implants will be right for you.
2. Planning for implant surgery, which includes treating existing oral health challenges and preparing your mouth for implant surgery.
3. Fitting the implant, which is the day the titanium screw is placed into your jaw and (if needed) a temporary prosthetic is fitted while you heal. 
4. Final prosthetic placement, which may be a single crown, bridge, or full arch.
5. Final routine check up, which happens roughly 2 weeks after surgery. 

The whole process can take anywhere between 3 and 12 months, which accounts for:

• any pre-implant treatment you may need (tooth or gum disease treatment, extraction)
• any treatment that will coincide with your implant surgery (gum graft, bone graft, sinus lift)
• time needed to make your temporary and final prosthetics
• how much time your mouth needs to heal.

Pain and recovery

Dental implantation is a surgical procedure. And just like any surgery, there is a level of discomfort involved. For some people this plays a role in the decision-making process. Is going through the pain of getting an implant really worth it? Only you can answer that. But I can explain more about what’s involved to manage pain and discomfort.

During the procedure, local anaesthetic numbs the treatment site. In some cases, a general anaesthetic can be given. Once the anaesthetic takes effect (which we check) you’ll feel very little. Perhaps some tugging and pulling, but no pain. 

Afterwards, there might be some bruising and swelling around the treatment site. This can feel tender and uncomfortable for a short time but generally eases up within a week or 2. Your dentist will discuss pain relief options before you leave the practice. 

Feeling confident that dental implants are worth it for you?

I’ve shared a lot of information and extra reading resources here. Hopefully I’ve answered some of your questions. And given you some insights into and reassurance about what’s involved in having dental implants. 

Really though, getting personalised advice from your dentist is the best way to understand if they’re worth it. Your dentist is in a better position to understand your lifestyle, health, budget, and the outcomes you want to achieve. 

Delivering dental implant treatment and care in Central Queensland

Getting dental implants isn’t something you decide on a whim. Understanding treatment costs, expected outcomes and time frames is vital. Once you’ve evaluated your options, you’re well placed to make a plan and when you’re ready, hit ‘go.’’. 

Whether you’re just starting to consider dental implants or ready to take the next step, Keppel Dental can help. We use the latest digital dentistry technologies and high-quality dental implant products to deliver the best dental implant care possible for patients in Central Queensland and beyond.

Contact us, and one of our friendly staff will book your free first consultation with me, Dr Luke. We’ll discuss your concerns, the procedure, the timelines and the estimated cost for your treatment. 

Every year thousands of Australians choose to have dental implant treatment to replace missing or damaged teeth. That’s a lot of people. But you’re not a lot of people. You’re you. And before sinking your time and money into this tooth replacement treatment you want to be confident that dental implants are right for you. So let’s figure that out. 

As Keppel Dental’s lead implant dentist, I’ve helped hundreds of patients decide if getting a dental implant is their best option. 

In this short article I’ll cover:

• the key things you need to think about before implant treatment
• what dentists look for to decide if you’re a good candidate 
• some extra articles and resources to help with your research. 

By the end you’ll be in a stronger position to decide whether you’re ready to press ‘go’ on the process. 

The day-to-day signs that dental implants are right for you

Getting dental implants isn’t a snap decision. Most patients spend 3-6 months thinking about it before making a consultation appointment. By this point, they’ve usually encountered one or more of the 6 signs that it’s crunch time for getting dental implants. 

1. Eating hard or chewy food, sneezing, and even smiling leaves you feeling frustrated, uncomfortable or embarrassed.
2. When you think about tooth replacement options you know you want an almost fit and forget solution. 
3. You care about how your smile looks. Fixing it up is a priority and you’ve thought about the financial side of how to make it happen. 
4. You’ve got multiple missing or broken teeth, which is making eating difficult or even painful. 
5. You’re currently in good health and have even quit smoking (or vaping) so now is a good time.
6. Missing teeth can contribute to jawbone loss or deterioration, leading to that older, sunken face look. And you want to avoid that.  

What dentists look for

Dental implants can last for 15-20 years. But only if conditions are right. To understand if you’re a good candidate for dental implants, your practitioner will check a few things first. This helps them map the route for your personal treatment plan.

Your lifestyle

The chemicals in cigarettes and vaping liquid change the conditions in the mouth. Bone can be weakened and smokers and vapers are more likely to experience gum disease, increasing the chance of implant failure. Ideally, your dentist wants you to stop smoking before placing implants. And staying off the ciggies afterwards will prolong the life of the implant. 

Your current oral health

Gum disease and tooth decay don’t mix well with dental implant treatment. These common oral health challenges can:

• cause gums to recede, which would expose your implant 
• lead to infection or inflammation, slowing down the healing process 
• weaken the jaw bone, causing your implant to come loose or fall out. 

Your dentist will look for signs of tooth decay or gum disease during your initial consultation. If they’re present, then these challenges will be treated first.

The strength of your jaw bone

Dental implants consist of two parts.

1. A titanium screw-like fitting that acts in the same way as a natural tooth’s root.
2. A prosthetic tooth replacement that attaches to the fitting. 

It’s the screw-like fitting that is the implant. (Even though we commonly refer to the whole thing as ‘a dental implant.’) The bone supporting the implant must be strong and healthy to withstand the everyday demands put on the mouth, such as chewing and eating.

Implants placed into a weak jaw bone are less likely to fuse and more likely to fail.

Your dentist will take X-rays and 3D scans of your mouth to check your jaw bone density. If it looks as though it’s lacking, you may need a bone graft. This procedure uses prosthetic material to strengthen the bone around the treatment site. 

Any health, medication, or treatment challenges

Before going ahead with dental implants, it’s a good idea to let your dentist know about any health conditions you have, along with any medications you’re taking to treat them. Your dentist can then factor this into your treatment plan. 

More dental implant resources

Before going ahead with dental implant treatment you need to feel confident that it’s right for you. Your dentist can provide a lot of the facts and information you need to make an informed decision as they know your oral health the best. But there’s a lot you can discover and learn about before heading into your initial consultation. 

To help our patients at Keppel Dental we’ve put together several dental implant guides. And if you’re getting the procedure done elsewhere in Australia, then they may help you too. 

A guide to dental implant costs in Australia

Dentures vs dental implants

Questions to ask before, during and after getting dental implants

Can dental implants be done in one day?

Delivering dental implant treatment and care in Central Queensland

Getting dental implants isn’t something you decide on a whim. Understanding treatment costs, expected outcomes and timeframes is vital so you can evaluate your options and make a plan before hitting ‘go.’ 

Whether you’re at the start of your dental implant journey or you’re ready to take the next step, Keppel Dental can help. We use the latest digital dentistry technologies and high quality dental implant products to deliver the best dental implant care possible for patients in Central Queensland and beyond.

Contact us and our friendly staff will book your free first consultation with me, Dr Luke. We’ll discuss your concerns, the procedure, the timelines and the estimated cost for your treatment.