Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There is no definite answer as everyone’s mouth and lifestyle habits are unique. Generally speaking, Dr Costa recommends booking an exam and clean at the Creswick Dental Centre every six months as this is a good amount of time to catch any potential dental issues early.

Unlike traditional dentures, implant-supported overdentures “snap” in place using special
attachments that connect them to dental implants. This makes the implant-supported dentures
much more stable and more comfortable to wear.

Dental implants can make excellent substitutes for roots of teeth and most patients that have
transitioned to implant-supported dentures report good results.

Current research suggests that any patient without teeth whose health conditions do not
preclude treatment with dental implants, who has enough bone to accommodate them, may be
regarded as a candidate for implant-supported dentures.

Implant-supported dentures are certainly more costly than traditional, “gum-supported”
dentures. There is also a need for dental implant surgery to place the implants within the
jawbone which commands an additional cost. A period of healing can take anywhere from 3 to 6
months for the entire treatment to be completed from start to finish. You can continue wearing
your old dentures in the meantime.

Yes, if you have no remaining natural teeth, two or more dental implants can be used to anchor
a denture. This enhances the stability of the denture in your mouth, preventing it from moving
around when speaking and eating.

Dental implants are designed to fuse with your jawbone, thanks to the biocompatible properties
of titanium. This fusion allows them to act as strong anchors that support replacement teeth.
These implants restore normal chewing and biting function and resemble natural teeth, making
them a good solution for single or multiple missing teeth.

The number of implants usually depends on the quality and quantity of bone present.

Typically, the upper denture will require at least 4 and the lower denture at least 2 implants to
work. In most denture cases though, it is the lower denture that needs implant retention and
support. Studies report the improvement of the chewing force by 300% with implant-supported
dentures.

Dental implants are a solution to replace missing teeth. A titanium screw with a ceramic tooth
on top is inserted into the jawbone and thus replaces the whole tooth.

Once the implant has completely fused with the jawbone, a porcelain or ceramic tooth is
secured on top to provide a functional and natural-looking replacement for the missing tooth.

An implant can be the best solution for a missing tooth because it is a 1 tooth solution to a 1
tooth problem. Having a bridge requires shaving down the teeth on either side of the gap. The
bridge has a tooth suspended in the middle between 2 crowns. Bridges can be hard to clean,
we cannot slip floss down between the crowns.

An implant-supported denture is, in many ways, similar to a traditional denture, but instead of
resting on top of your gums, an implant-supported denture attaches directly to your jawbone
using dental implants.

This connection to the implants helps the person without teeth to have more comfort with their
dentures during chewing, eating and speaking. The dentures tend to stay put even if you open
your mouth wide.

The implant placement procedure is typically straightforward and can often be done under local
anesthesia. The average time that it takes to place one implant is about 1 hour. Patients
generally report a similar level of post-treatment discomfort to other common dental procedures,
with a short healing time.

These dentures are almost just as easy to look after as the traditional dentures. However, the
patient will need to have their implants and denture attachments checked by the dentist
regularly, usually from 6 to 12 months.

Usually, the process requires 4 steps – your initial exam and consultation, implant placement
appointment, impression taking appointment and delivery of your implant-supported denture.

Many dental practices, including Creswick Dental, offer emergency dental services. If you have
severe dental pain, such as swelling or a tooth knocked out, and it’s outside of regular office
hours, you could call the emergency service at the Ballarat Base hospital on (03) 5320 4000 to
get assistance. If you live in the Creswick, Ballarat, Clunes or Daylesford area and have a broken tooth, jaw pain or think you are having a dental emergency call us right away.  

Potential risks and complications are specific to patients’ circumstances and are thoroughly
discussed at the consultation appointment to help patients make proper decisions.

Most are associated with dental implant surgery. For instance, if the implant becomes unstable
over time, it can be removed, and another inserted into the same site or nearby.

The typical lifespan of an implant-supported denture largely depends on how well the implants and the denture are taken care of. With proper care and maintenance, both can last a long time.

Traditional, “gum-supported” dentures, need to be replaced more often due to ongoing changes in the oral bones on which they rely for their support.

An implant can be the best solution for a missing tooth because it is a 1 tooth solution to a 1
tooth problem. Having a bridge requires shaving down the teeth on either side of the gap. The
bridge has a tooth suspended in the middle between 2 crowns. Bridges can be hard to clean,
we cannot slip floss down between the crowns.