Losing teeth is an ugly business and can be very heartbreaking. It is not uncommon for adults to lose teeth from tooth decay, gum disease, periodontal disease or an unfortunate incident. Though it is very hard to consider all the factors before settling for a teeth replacement option, it has to be done as soon as possible. The replacement options include dentures and dental implants and it is up to you to decide what suits you best. Here is the comparison between those two to aid you in this decision-making,

Dentures
They are removable parts that are attached to your gums to replace the missing teeth as well as some gum tissues. Complete dentures replace your complete set of teeth while partial dentures take the place of the missing ones amidst the natural teeth.

Dental Implants
The dental implants are metal posts that are fused with the jawbone of the patient to act as an anchor for the artificial teeth. They can support a single tooth, multiple teeth and even dentures in some cases. Tooth implants cost in Sydney is significantly higher than the traditional bridges and dentures because of the complexity of the procedure and the high quality of the material and equipment involved.

Dental implants Vs Dentures

Appearance
Dental implants look just like your natural teeth and you do not have to compromise on your looks after the insertion of implants. However, the Dentures do not appear as natural as an implant as they display acrylic rather than actual gum tissue.

Maintenance
Dental implants do not require any additional attention. You need to take care of them just like your natural teeth (simple brushing and flossing). On the contrary, Dentures have to removed and cleaned regularly. Patients are asked to leave the dentures out at night for providing the gums some time to recover.

Long term benefit
Dental implants cost in Sydney may be higher. But they are more beneficial in the long run.

• If properly cared, implants can last even for a lifetime while dentures need frequent replacement.
• Other than the natural look, Dental implants functions similar to your original teeth. However, Dentures can feel uncomfortable and bulky. Unlike Dentures, Dental implants cannot slip around as they are fused to the jawbone tightly.
• You do not have to be careful about your diet when you have Dental implants. With Dentures, you should always avoid particular type of foods.
• Implants help to maintain your oral health without any bone loss. Dentures do not offer this advantage.

Insurance benefits
Dentures are covered by most dental insurance plans. But the cost of the dental implants in Sydney isn’t typically eligible for insurance claims as they are often classified as a cosmetic procedure.

On the whole, the higher initial cost of tooth implants in Sydney might discourage you. But they provide better quality of life and oral health compared to the Dentures.

Dental cement is a type of material that can be used for different dental purposes. Few types of cement are used to restore dental work, while other types are used to create original dental work. Some are temporary, while others are permanent. Dentists must follow the manufacturer's directions for each type of cement, in terms of using the correct ratios, mixing, and preparing it under the accurate temperature. There are five types of cement used for the dental purpose: zinc-oxide eugenol, polycarboxylate, zinc phosphate, glass ionomer and composite resin.  

Zinc-Oxide Eugenol

• Zinc-Oxide Eugenol liquid is composed of eugenol, water, zinc acetate, calcium chloride, and ascetic acid.
• The powdered version consists of magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, and silica.
• It comes in two types – one is weaker and is useful for temporary cementation, and the other includes reinforcing agents that make it more efficient for permanent cementation.

Zinc Phosphate

• Zinc phosphate liquid is composed of aluminium phosphate, phosphoric acid, and water.
• The powdered version consists of magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, and silica.
• It comes in two types: medium grain and fine grain.
• The fine grain is used for permanent cementation of crowns, onlays, inlays, and bridges.
• It creates a thin layer which is useful in accurate seatings of dental work.
• The medium grain is used as insulation for the filling of deep cavities.  

Polycarboxylate

• Polycarboxylate is composed of polyacrylic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, itaconic acid, and water.
• The powdered version of Polycarboxylate consists of pure zinc oxide.
• The Polycarboxylate is used for permanent cementation of orthodontic bands and stainless-steel crowns, and it can be used as a base without causing any irritation.  

Glass Ionomer

• The liquid form of glass ionomer is composed of maleic acid, itaconic acid, tartaric acid, and water.  
• The powdered form is composed of calcium, zinc oxide, and aluminium oxide.
• There are three types of glass ionomer used for the dental purpose.
  • One is used to cement metal restorations and orthodontic brackets.
  • Another one is used to restore eroded areas near the gingiva.
  • And the last one is used to line or bond the dentin.

Composite Resin

• The composite resin is flexible when used as dental cement.
• Its low film thickness and insolubility in water supports permanent cementation.
• It is used to make orthodontic bands and brackets, ceramic veneers, and metal castings.

Temporary Cement Vs. Permanent Cement for Dental Implants
 
Dental implants in Sydney involve one or more artificial teeth being inserted into one’s jaw to fill a gap in their teeth. Dental implants can be used to fill the gap where one or two teeth are missing, or to serve as an anchor for bridges, crowns, and dentures where all the teeth need to be replaced. Both temporary and permanent cement play a role in dental implants.
Dental implants in Melbourne require temporary and permanent cement in different ways. The dental implant may refer to an artificial tooth, which is inserted to fill the gap left due to a missing tooth. Dental cement can be used for making caps or veneers, which are added to the natural tooth to enlarge the size and change the colour or shape of the tooth. Full dentures and bridges are two other types of dental implant that include multiple teeth and require an adhesive for a safe and comfortable fit.
 
Function of Cement

• Both temporary and permanent cement are used to stick the external objects, such as dental implant teeth, caps, dentures or bridges to the natural teeth.
• For dentures and bridges, an anchor tooth will be chosen as the bonding agent so that the patients do not need to have all of their teeth cemented.
• In the case of dental implants, they are not usually cemented to the natural teeth; instead, they are drilled into the jawbone to become permanent teeth.

Features

• The temporary cement is used to hold dental implants for a few hours to several weeks if necessary.
• Permanent cement is used to fix dental implants, particularly veneers, crowns, and bridges, into the mouth.
• The permanent cement needs to be put on dental implants once, and the procedure is done by the dentist.
  

Benefits

• Permanent cement can be used to give style to the dental implants or partial implants onto the natural teeth that are chipped or broken, making the permanent cement a flexible tool for the dentists to have at their disposal.
• Temporary cement is a handy dental care tool for patients and used to replace permanent dental implants that have fallen out due to any reason until the patient can make an appointment to have the dental implants replaced professionally.

Dental implants in Sydney are now becoming an accepted treatment for replacing any missing teeth.  In many cases, dental implants are preferred as an alternative to a partial denture or bridge.  However, the placement of dental implants requires consideration and careful evaluation, particularly with respect to the bone where the dental implant is to be placed.

Ensuring the Bone Volume
A dental implant is a metal post made of titanium that is placed into your jawbone and is used as an anchor on top of which a crown is placed. When the dental implant is placed, the main aim is to ensure that it is completely stable or osseointegrated within your jaw bone, so that it is strong enough to support the crown on top of it.  You must take care to ensure that there is enough bone around the implant so that it provides strength and stability to your implant.

Thus, a major concern when placing a dental implant is ensuring whether sufficient volume of bone is available around it, in terms of height, width, and depth.

Requirement of Bone around the Dental Implant

In general, at least 1 mm of bone is required around the dental implant.  While the implant is next to another implant or a tooth, more space is needed (i.e., 2 and 3 mm respectively). In the case of not having enough bone to completely envelope the implant, your dentist may suggest the bone graft process.

While evaluating the height of your bone, there should be enough bone so that the implant should be fully submerged.  But it is important to ensure that the implant doesn’t go so deep as to impose on other anatomic structures like the sinus in the upper jaw or the nerve in the bottom jaw.  When placing implants in your upper jaw, they may not have enough room vertically, and a sinus lift will be required to rebuild the bone.

Types of Bone Grafts

The bone graft for dental implants is the process of adding bone or a bone-like material to increase the volume of bone in your jaw.  Usually, the bone is placed and set to heal before the dental implant is placed.  The healing period of the bone graft can vary, depending on the type of bone used.

Many types of bone graft procedures are available, and four of them are mentioned below.

• Autograft
• Allograft
• Xenograft
• Synthetic 

Autograft

Autograft or autogenous bone grafting involves utilising the bone which is taken from the same individual who is receiving the graft procedure. The bone can be harvested from nonessential bones, like mandibular symphysis, iliac crest, and anterior mandibular ramus.

The bone in the transplanted site requires sufficient blood supply. Depending on the size of the graft and where the transplant is to be made, an additional   supply of blood will be needed. For this type of bone grafts, along with the donor’s bone, extraction of the periosteum and blood vessels might also be required. This type of bone graft is also known as a free flap graft.

Allograft

In allograft, the bone is derived from humans. The main difference is that allograft is harvested from an individual other than the patient who is receiving the graft. It is usually sourced from the bone bank.

Xenograft

Xenografts are bone grafts from the species other than human, like bovine and that are used as a calcified matrix. In this case, sufficient bone will be obtained, and secondary donor site is not necessary. The xenograft is safe and has been in use for many years.

Synthetic

Artificial bone is made from ceramics such as bioglass, calcium phosphates, and calcium sulphates are biologically active depending on solubility in the physiological environs. These materials combine with other growth factors.
The type of bone graft chosen will depend on the situation, and the amount of bone required.

Perfect Time for Bone Graft

Depending on the situation, the bone grafts may be placed at the same time of your implant procedure, or before. It saves time and is more convenient while placing the implant and graft at the same time, but sometimes the clinical situation doesn’t allow.

If the bone graft should be placed before the dental implant procedure, it is important to follow the timelines set out for your treatment. Since, if the dental implant procedure is done soon after the bone graft procedure, the graft may not have enough time to heal and become solid. Also, if the dental implant is placed after a very long time, melting and reabsorption of the bone graft may happen, that result in loss of bone volume. Therefore, the dental implant placement is typically suitable for the spot where sufficient healing and minimal reabsorption has occurred.