Dental Implants Adelaide

The implant post itself, the titanium component that fuses with the jawbone, is designed to be permanent and can last decades or a lifetime with proper care. The crown placed on top is more susceptible to wear and may need replacing after 10–15 years depending on how hard you bite and whether you grind your teeth. Overall, implants have a long-term success rate significantly higher than bridges or dentures, making them the most durable tooth replacement option currently available.

The placement procedure itself is performed under local anaesthetic, so you should feel pressure but not pain during surgery. Most patients are surprised by how manageable the recovery is — tenderness and mild swelling for 2–3 days is typical, and over-the-counter pain relief is usually sufficient. More extensive cases involving bone grafting or multiple implants may require a slightly longer recovery. Our team provides detailed aftercare instructions and is available if you have concerns during the healing period.

Bone loss after tooth loss is common, and it doesn’t necessarily rule you out for implants, but it does affect planning. In some cases a bone graft is needed to rebuild volume before or at the time of implant placement. In others, angulated implant positioning or All-on-X techniques can work around areas of reduced bone without grafting at all. The 3D scans taken at your consultation give Dr Lidums a precise picture of what’s available and what approach will work best for your situation.

Smoking significantly increases the risk of implant failure by impairing healing and reducing blood supply to the bone. It doesn’t automatically disqualify you, but it’s a frank conversation we’ll have at your consultation. Similarly, conditions like diabetes, osteoporosis, or patients on certain medications (including bisphosphonates) require careful assessment. Some conditions require medical clearance or modifications to the treatment plan. We never proceed without a thorough health review, because your long-term outcome depends on it.

Day-to-day cleaning is similar to natural teeth: twice-daily brushing and daily flossing or interdental brushes. Unlike natural teeth, implants cannot develop decay, but the gum and bone around them can still be affected by gum disease (peri-implantitis) if oral hygiene lapses. Regular professional hygiene appointments at Lidums Dental are important to monitor the health of the tissue around each implant and catch any early signs of inflammation before they become a problem.

These are three different ways implants can support replacement teeth. A single implant crown replaces one missing tooth independently, without touching adjacent teeth. An implant-supported bridge replaces several teeth in a row using fewer implants as anchors. An implant-supported denture replaces a full arch, either clipped to implants for easy removal or screwed in permanently. Which is right for you depends on how many teeth are missing, your bone volume, and your goals for function and maintenance. Dr Lidums will map out the specific options at your consultation.