Dental Implants and Bridges

A dental implant is a tiny titanium rod that replicates the root of a tooth. We place the implant in the bone to act as an anchor or post for the artificial tooth that will replace your missing tooth.

With a 95% success rate in many cases, implants are an exceptional choice for longevity, typically outlasting many other restorative options. Hence, the reason we say it will be a higher initial outlay but a better option over your lifetime. Also, the neighbouring teeth are not cut back like they are for a bridge. Of course, any restored tooth will need maintenance or replacement eventually. A bridge is unlikely to last like an implant.

We consider our dental implant surgeons part of our treatment team, although they are not onsite, but local experts in their field and experienced dentists. They are the people we have trusted with our family members and friends. We would not recommend anything less for you.

What to Expect: Dental Implant Surgery and Placement

When you have your dental implant surgery, you are numb and comfortable, and sedation can be arranged if you are anxious. You can rest assured that the implant surgery is quite painless, and most of our patients are surprised by the simplicity of the process. 

First, we uncover the bone to place the implant in the correct location. The implant then needs time to heal and integrate with the bone before we complete the process, so it can function as a normal tooth. Healing time varies by individual, but the average at our clinic is 3–6 months for the bone to knit with the titanium implant.

At this point, you will return to Willow Dental Care for an impression or mould of your mouth so a colour-matched, quality implant crown can be made to fit your implant abutment. The new crown should create a beautiful, natural smile and a strong sense of restored function and chewing. Our favourite thing to hear from our dental implant patients is how they forget they even have an implant and that an implant feels exactly like their own tooth.

For our Hills District patients with a gap in their smile, a bridge is one solution for a missing tooth. It is true that at Willow Dental Care in Baulkham Hills, we often suggest an implant to replace a missing tooth. But in some instances, this may not be appropriate.

If there is insufficient bone to support an implant or a medical condition that makes an implant inadvisable, a bridge can be an effective way to regain chewing function and close an unsightly gap.

A dental bridge replaces the missing tooth by having a prosthetic or false tooth (pontic) splinted and supported by crowns on the teeth adjacent to the gap. The crowns and middle tooth are usually made of tooth coloured and strong zirconia, carefully matched to your other teeth.

As described above, the bridge requires an appointment to shape the teeth for crowns and a scan or impression sent to our Australian dental lab of choice. A temporary bridge is worn until the next appointment, when we will check the fit and colour of the new bridge. We will ensure that you are happy with the result, and if so, the bridge is permanently bonded in.

How to Care for Your Dental Implant or Bridge

Like crowns and onlays, maintaining a bridge requires good brushing and flossing and diet. The challenge for some people is cleaning underneath the bridge, so your Willow Dental Care dentists in Norwest will take the time to show you how to care for your bridge. This is also true for people who come to us with bridges that they’ve had for years. Regular check-ups can help maintain the bridge, as when looked after by yourself and your dentist, it can give years of service.

Need Dental Implants or Bridges in Norwest, NSW?

We invite you to call us on 02 8610 6697 to book an appointment to find out your best option.