Have you been hiding your smile? A gap in your smile with missing or broken teeth can seriously impact a person’s self-confidence and cause difficulty speaking or eating. But rest assured, there are options for you to regain your confidence and smile.
Next Smile Australia prides itself on creating outstanding customer experiences and aims to make every part of your journey of reclaiming your smile as comfortable as possible. They are an innovative team leading in restorative dental in Ballarat and deliver clinically proven world-leading treatments and results. After evaluating your situation and dental goals, they will determine the best possible outcome to restore functionality and confidence to your smile.
What is Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry focuses on repairing or replacing damaged or missing teeth. These procedures improve oral health and the functionality of the teeth and can also solve aesthetic problems in the process. Restorative dental has multiple levels, from repairing and removing cavities and natural defects to issues caused by excessive wear and tear, such as grinding, trauma or external injuries. The main focus is to restore function and improve oral health.
Missing or broken teeth may not only be aesthetically problematic. Without treatment, these issues can have a significant impact on your oral health as well as your overall health. Missing teeth can make it difficult for simple functions, such as eating or speaking and can cause the muscles in your face to weaken and sag inwards. Lack of treatment can also lead to the weakening of your jawbone. Reclaiming your smile can be beneficial for psychological reasons and primarily improve oral health and functionality. There are quite a few options for restorative dental in Ballarat, depending on your oral situation; this article presents some of the advanced treatments in the area.
All-on-4®
The All-on-4® treatment method is an advanced form of restorative dentistry for people looking to replace their entire smile. Pioneered in 1998 by Dr Paulo Malo, in partnership with Nobel Biocare, utilising advanced technology and innovation to build the ground-breaking treatment with its procedures and protocols. The All-on-4® treatment process, using the highest quality materials from Nobel Biocare, inserts only four implants, two in the front and two in the back, at a particular angle into the jawbone to support an entire bridge of teeth. The minimalist approach means no need for painful and invasive bone grafts, faster healing and less chance of complications. All-on-4® is a medically advanced process that can replace your old worn-out teeth with a new, natural-looking and feeling set within just 24 hours, but usually on the same day as surgery.
Reclaiming your smile can be easy with All-on-4® and can have you chewing, laughing, and smiling faster than you probably think. The journey of reclaiming your smile starts with a consultation with one of our surgeons at Next Smile. Our empathetic team will get to know your dental and medical history and discuss your personal dental goals. They will talk you through what is involved in the truly transformative process, as well as take jawbone scans, digital impressions, and photographic imaging to show the current state of the smile and the possibilities to come.
After surgery, where four of the highest quality implants from Nobel Biocare are inserted into your jawbone, you will be fitted with your provisional bridge within 24 hours, but usually on the same day. The Malo Protocol includes the two-bridge system; the provisional bridge is fitted while your final bridge is manufactured and refined to your preferences. Once the implants have completely healed, your final permanent bridge will be fitted for optimal shape and fit, ready for a lifetime of smiles.
Receiving your new smile and immediate confidence boost isn’t the only benefit of the All-on-4® treatment method. Not only are your teeth fitted within 24 hours, but they are also fully functional, natural-looking teeth that can bite and chew. The minimalist approach and the Malo Protocol mean there is no need for painful bone grafts, which leads to fewer appointments and faster healing. The advanced method is clinically proven with a 98% success rate. The effectiveness of this procedure is something to consider. Next Smile has extensive experience in restorative dental in Ballarat, with the team trained by Dr Malo himself. There is peace of mind knowing you are in capable hands at Next Smile with state-of-the-art technology in the clinic and a team that leads with empathy and professionalism.
Other Restorative Dentistry
All-on-4® is a ground-breaking and innovative treatment method; however, there are other treatment options in restorative dental in Ballarat, depending on your dental situation and personal goals. A member of the Next Smile Australia team will happily discuss your goals and options for treatment in a judgement-free space.
Single tooth implants
This type of restorative dentistry suits those who only wish to replace a missing or broken tooth. Single tooth implants are where a single screw, usually made of titanium, is inserted into the jawbone precisely where needed to function as an artificial root for the new tooth.
This procedure sometimes requires a bone graft, where a piece of bone is added to the structure of your jaw to help secure the implant. Once the implant is inserted, the bone surrounding the screw eventually fuses to it, securing it in place. After the implant is secure and healed, a tooth is attached to match and fill the gap in your smile to restore functionality.
Bridges
Dental bridges are usually needed when you have a missing tooth, and both teeth on either side of the gap are healthy. Healthy surrounding teeth are needed as the dental bridge is attached to the teeth on either side of the gap. In preparation for the dental bridge, a dentist at Ballarat Next Smile Super Clinic will file down the two healthy teeth surrounding the gap, and then a mould is taken to fit the bridge. Dental bridges are usually made of porcelain or metal, a mixture of the two, or zirconia.
Sometimes a temporary bridge will be put in place while the permanent bridge is manufactured and refined. The permanent bridge is held in place with the surrounding teeth with the assistance of dental cement or sometimes with an implant. If an implant is used, it is similar to single-tooth implants, where a titanium screw is inserted into the jawbone to function as an artificial root. Dental bridges can last a lifetime; however, it depends on the surrounding teeth's health.
Dentures
Full dentures are a set of false natural-looking teeth, usually made from plastic, that are held in place with the muscles in your mouth when missing all your teeth. They also partially rely on suction between your gums to be held in place. Partial dentures are used when only some teeth are missing and your wish to keep your remaining natural teeth in place. They are usually made of metal, plastic, or both and have little metal clasps to grip your natural remaining teeth and hold them in place. Partial dentures are only suitable if the remaining natural teeth are in good and healthy condition.
The time it takes to get complete dentures can vary depending on the condition of your oral health. If natural remaining teeth need to be removed, this may extend the process as the gums will need time to heal and settle so that an accurate measurement can be taken to manufacture the new dentures. If immediate dentures are required, measurements can be taken from when the teeth are taken out. However, this may, over time, affect the fitting of the dentures, and they may become loose. Dentures require slightly more maintenance than your natural teeth and often should be removed while sleeping and soaked. They may also require special oral hygiene products. Dentures with proper care should last between 5-10 years.
Get All-on-4® Dental Implants at Next Smile Australia
Missing or broken teeth, a gap in your smile, can make a dent in your confidence and make it hard to eat or speak. Although, a gap in your smile may not only be aesthetically problematic. Missing or broken teeth can cause serious oral health conditions and impact your overall health.
The team of highly skilled dentists at Next Smile lead with empathy, integrity, professionalism, and compassion. They are driven with the focus of transforming people’s lives as leading restorative dental in Ballarat. A member of the team will happily sit down and discuss your oral health condition, personal dental goals, and the possibilities to come. They are a state-of-the-art clinic capable of advanced and innovative methods of restorative dentistry.
To regain your smile and confidence, book a consultation with one of our friendly team members at Next Smile Australia.