What is the experience of the dentist placing your dental implant?

Did you know that the placement of dental implants is not taught to dentists at university and they have to undergo further training to learn how to do this? At Perth Dental Implant Centre, our principle dentist, Dr. David Norcross, has completed extensive further training in dental implants and our clinic is dedicated to performing dental implant treatments. When done well, dental implants can be a very successful treatment, but when done incorrectly the results can be catastrophic. It’s important that your dentist has the right qualifications & experience.

What dental implant is being used in your mouth?

There are hundreds of different manufacturers of dental implants which differ in cost and quality. Some of the implants used overseas are not licensed for use in Australia and some can even be low-quality copies.

Will I need a temporary tooth while the dental implant heals?

There may be a period of time when we need to leave the dental implant to heal before we can make the final tooth/teeth. We’re able to provide you with a number of different temporary tooth options with different costs.

What are the sedation options if I’m nervous or have a complex procedure?

Many of our patients have dental implants placed following a simple local anaesthetic injection. However, some patients would prefer to sleep through the procedure. We can perform any tooth extraction and/or implant placement under IV sedation or full general anaesthetic. For those with private health insurance hospital cover, the cost of the anaesthetist and hospital will be fully covered (no gap). You may just have a hospital excess to pay depending on your policy. For those without private health insurance, we have very competitive rates for IV sedation with our visiting GP anaesthetist, some of which may be covered by Medicare.

What is involved in the new keyhole method?

A new way we are placing dental implants is using computer guided 3D printed guides. This allows us to place dental implants using “keyhole” surgery. This can make the process much less invasive, quicker and safer.

How much does a dental implant cost and why is there such a variety in cost?

Dental implants are not just something we can pluck off a shelf in a shop that have a fixed price. In the same way that your teeth are unique to you, we have to develop a dental implant plan that perfectly meets your needs, both financially and to give you the very best possible result for the long term. This means that the process and the time that it takes will vary from person to person. Therefore, it can be very difficult for us to provide an “off the shelf” cost. We need to see you in person to assess those factors to then be able to provide you with an appropriate cost.

Is your missing tooth at the front of your mouth or the back of your mouth?

The amount and quality of bone into which we can place a dental implant is different in each part of the mouth. For example, the bone at the front of the mouth can be much thinner which means a more complex treatment may be required to achieve a successful result. Teeth at the front of the mouth may be much more visible when the patient smiles which can also make the treatment more complex. At the back of the mouth there may be more available bone and less need for an aesthetic outcome, making the treatment far simpler. Following a 3D bone scan we can fully assess your circumstances and come up with a unique treatment plan for the best results.

Do you need a 3D bone scan to assess if you are a suitable candidate for a dental implant?

To accurately check if you have enough bone available to place dental implants, we take a detailed 3D xray known as a CBCT scan. This is similar to a CT scan but with a much lower dose of radiation. This shows us exactly how much bone you have and where vital structures such as nerves, the sinuses and other tooth roots are. We can then ensure that when placing the implant there is no risk of the implant damaging these structures. We believe that a dental implant should not be placed without first carefully assessing a 3D bone scan. At the Perth Dental Implant Centre, we have in-house 3D scanners at both of our clinics and can tell you on the day of your consultation, saving you time and money.

Dentures vs Implant-Retained Dentures vs Full Arch Dental Implants (All-on-4®)

March 17, 2021

5 minute read

Perth Dental Implant Centre makes every effort to help you keep your natural teeth throughout your lifetime. However, sometimes teeth require extraction due to gum disease, tooth decay, or trauma. Dentures and dental implants offer options to replace all or several missing teeth.
Replacing missing teeth with either choice enhances one’s quality of life by providing benefits, such as:

Improved speech
Improved chewing
Improved appearance by supporting facial muscles
A more aesthetically pleasing smile
Better nutrition and digestion due to improved chewing (1)

In this article, we list the pros and cons to suction dentures, implant-retained dentures and full arch dental implants (All-on-4®). If you would like to speak with a member of the Perth Dental Implant Centre team about your dental implant needs, contact us today.

Pros and Cons of Dentures

Suction or full dentures offer a reliable way to replace either all or some missing teeth. Dentures have a stigma of being bulky and ill-fitting, however modern dentures of today can be a high-quality and natural-looking prosthetic solution to replacing missing teeth.

Advantages:

Less costly than other options
Allows for time to heal after recent extractions
Non-invasive option with no surgery required
Quicker healing times with no surgery
Less appointments than with implants
Less costly to maintain and repair
Easy to keep clean
Modern materials allow for a natural appearance
No surgery usually required

Disadvantages:

Rely on suction to stay in place
Can come loose and impair speech and chewing
Appear less natural than implants
Require removal at night
Require replacements every few years
Can prevent eating certain foods
Do not preserve jaw bone like dental implants do
Require regular removal and thorough cleaning
May need denture adhesives for stability
Can cause pressure sores and irritation
Less biting force than implants

Pros and Cons of Implant-Retained Dentures

One of the great achievements of modern dentistry is the capability to replace the roots of missing teeth with dental implants. Dentures supported by implants (also known as overdentures) instead of resting directly on the gums offer many advantages for replacing missing teeth.

Advantages:

Superior aesthetics from very natural appearance
Maximum stability for a secure fit
More comfortable than traditional dentures
No impairment to the ability to taste food and drinks
Superior speech
Better nutrition due to an ability to chew food easier
Less irritation and sores on gums
Superior biting forces
Preserves the jaw bone unlike suction dentures
Maintains the shape and strength of the jaw unlike suction dentures
May provide good lip support to existing denture wearers
May prevent gum recession
Longer lifespan due to sustained bone integrity
No need for denture adhesives

Disadvantages:

Higher treatment cost than dentures
Requires surgery to place implants
Requires more time and appointments
A full denture needs to be worn while dental implants heal for 3 to 6 months
Still need to be removed at night

Ready to start your journey towards a new smile? Schedule a consultation at Perth Dental Implant Centre today.

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The Pros and Cons of Full Arch Dental Implants (All-on-4®)

A long-term solution to restoring a smile is with full arch dental implants - also known as All-on-4®. Between four and six precisely placed dental implants on either the upper or lower jaws support a bridge of teeth.

Generally, full mouth dental implants dental implants are the preferred solution to replacing missing teeth. They share the same advantages of implant-retained dentures as well as some additional ones.

Advantages:

Replace all missing teeth within 5 days
Look and function like natural teeth
Superior stability and strength
Retains the most chewing efficiency (90%)
Cannot come loose, no movement at all
Don’t need to be removed at night
Offers a more permanent solution to teeth replacement
May help prevent gum recession
Cleaned just like natural teeth, easy to maintain
Less appointments than implant-retained dentures

Disadvantages:

Higher treatment cost
Higher cost to maintain and repair
Requires surgery to place implants (surgical risks apply)

Options for Full Mouth Dental Implants

Temporary acrylic bridge

Our treatment approach involves placing a temporary acrylic bridge within 24 hours of full arch implant surgery, restoring immediate function to your smile.

All full arch clients receive an acrylic bridge as their first set of teeth. Any adjustments are made to the bridge as the mouth heals and the bite begins to settle.

An acrylic bridge may last between 1 to 2 years however, it is possible to upgrade to a long-term ceramic (zirconia) bridge any time from 3 to 4 months after surgery.

Zirconia bridge

Your long-term bridge is either made of 100% zirconia or layered with porcelain for a very natural aesthetic appearance. Zirconia bridges include a 10-year warranty and may last an avaerage of 10 to 15 years or longer with proper care.

Dental implants

Dental implants are most commonly made of titanium (although zirconia is a metal-free alternative for clients) and can last a lifetime by following good oral hygiene habits and proper care.

Implant prices

Book a Free Implant Consultation

Find out if dental implants are right for you, book a free implant consultation and scan, call 1300 108 133. You can also book online.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much do dentures cost?

The price for dentures can vary according to your individual needs and desires. Full dentures are made of high impact acrylic and typically need replacing every 4 to 8 years. Suction dentures range from $1,800 - $4,000.

2. How much do implant-retained dentures cost?

The price for dentures can vary according to your individual needs and desires. At PDIC, our protocol is to use full arch dental implants bridges. We do not provide implant-retained dentures.

The cost of an implant retained denture in Perth ranges from $12,000 to $30,000 approximately.

3. How long do dentures last?

Suction dentures may need replacing every few years depending on how much bone you lose under the denture. Bone loss is inevitable with full suction dentures, which causes dentures to loosen.

4. How long do implant-retained dentures last?

Implant-supported dentures help to preserve your jaw bone and can last much longer than suction dentures. How long they last, depends on how well they are cared for. While the dental implants themselves can last a lifetime, the actual denture may last between 2 to 5 years before needing to be replaced.

5. How long does it take to get used to wearing dentures?

Wearing dentures will feel strange in the beginning. Most people need a few months before feeling accustomed to wearing them (3). It would be best if you had Dr. Norcross evaluate the fit of your denture yearly.

References

1. http://www.quintpub.com/userhome/ijp/ijp_32_3_Medeiros_p272.pdf

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6784476/

3. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dentures

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Book a Free Consultation

We provide high-quality treatment at competitive prices with our highly experienced dentists. Find out if dental implants are right for you. Book your free consult & 3D scan today. T&Cs apply.

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