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Testimonials

Bev H....    50 year old teacher - 27th of May, 2002
The next-door neighbours used to say; "You never miss the water til the well runs dry". Teeth are a lot like that. I lost the first molar from an abscess when I was teaching in a far-flung country town. Some 23 years later another molar sheared off below the gum line. The space looked like a chasm. The combine gap felt like a ballroom to my roving tongue. Quite apart from the obvious assault on the eye, was the problem that my upper teeth were now not making contact with anything. My dentist explained that neither denture nor bridge could be guaranteed to adequately fill the space.

My dentist referred me to Dr Julian O'Brien who discussed all aspects of the surgical implant procedure and explained the minimal risks that exist. With private dental cover it made sense for me to pursue the implant technology. It was quite a bonus that Dr O'Brien was one of the few implant dentists who surgically implant the titanium posts and later add abutments with the dental equivalent of a miniature precise torque wrench. After gum scalping (painless, completely painless) to give the new implanted teeth a natural looking gum line one is fitted with gleaming natural looking teeth.

Two years later, my upper left lateral crown kept falling off - the effect was appalling. I felt like a bit part in "Deliverance". I had struggled for 8 years but with the root shape the post would not hold the crown on. I had a denture and then the implant placed the same time as the tooth was removed. Believe me, a sandwich, apple or meat of any kind is not the same with a part denture. The plate rocks about mid sandwich. One is always left with food remnants under the plate. It is almost impossible to whip out the fang and rinse it, lets face it. I did manage to brush after lunch daily (with my class) but it was a little fearful of false tooth evulsion.

To anyone contemplating the implant I recommend it. I may appear expensive but the aesthetic benefits, the tooth's lifetime durability and one's wellbeing is well worth the initial expense. There is an engineering flavour to the dental jargon, which is fascinating. A myriad of attachments, 'mirus cone' etc all peppers the experience. Today I feel happier about smiling more. Apples, steak and sandwiches can be enjoyed with confidence. It is wonderful just taking one's food for granted again.
Implant?
Go for it!

Justine S.......     16 February 1998

For years I fought to keep my upper teeth – to no avail..

Julian discussed implants at that stage, but it seemed to be economically beyond my reach. Following several years and countless visits to relieve pressure from dentures (the dental office was my second home) I came to the conclusion there was no fun in living like this.

Implants were inserted in day surgery. Minimal pain was experienced (probably less than ill fitting dentures and very short term). From the moment my new denture was clipped in there has been no pressure. It is expensive, but the best decision I have ever made – to live life pain free and no embarrassing situations.

One word of warning, don’t take too long to make the decision as the bone shrinks following removal of teeth and there needs to be sufficient bone density to hold the implants – left too long and dentures will be your only option. Oh! By the way – the metal in your mouth does not set off metal detectors at the airport!

Carmen A.......  12 May 1997

For approximately 25 years, I have battled with the problem of periodontal gum disease. Over the years, I have had extensive teeth repair, (fillings), root canal treatments and regular visits to a periodontist.

The above has been endured because of a determination to avoid dentures. However, despite all of the above efforts, removal of four front teeth could not be avoided.

A denture was necessary for several months. This proved to be most disappointing. Food particles would build up under the denture and it simply was not the same as having one’s own permanent teeth.

The option of the implants was attractive, however, in my case the risk of rejection was very high due to ‘smoking’ and the gum disease.

Implants were placed. Surprisingly, there was very little discomfort and almost immediately on placement of the permanent teeth, they felt as though they were my original ones.

The appearance of my new ‘set of teeth’ is terrific and I am delighted at the result.

Certainly, technology has come a long way, and I am most grateful to be relieved of the ‘dentures’.

David K......   September 1997

My Tooth….. Why Bother

Only one tooth, decayed beyond repair; have an implant, lot of fuss. Getting older anyway, nothing lasts forever. And expensive. Have it out, the gum will harden. Think of George Washington, poor man. Don’t want to become a bionic man at 63. Titanium, space junk.

Lets be sensible, give it some thought. I do enjoy food and that calls for chewing. Not too worried about my appearance and smilability. I do not enjoy pain, so how much if I have an implant and how much if I don’t? Had a bit of pain lately, anyway.

The options; leave it alone and let it rot, try a repair, toothectomy or implant.

Read the Branemark brochures and listen to Julian. Cynical preliminary thoughts about sales pressures and profit centres. Implant-anchored bridge, an anti selling phrase. I don’t want a bridge in my mouth, a hidden titanium silver peg at the worst.

So starting with the Branemark System brochure 94/09. OK……its been around 25 to 30 years, well I wont be a guinea pig. First one still in place and chewing on. More new words, endentulousness is explained and at least I still have 13 upper and 16 lower teeth. Osseointegrate, yes that’s explained, the key to the whole bit. Mandible and maxilla, look them up… OK. Treatment step by step… fixture placement, healing period, connecting the abutment sounds like the Trenches in 1916, … the prosthetic work. Nobelpharma, a grand old agrarian giving away prize explosives. But Sweden is a fine country.

And now Smiline, the Unique etc… PRI 009. I like Per-Ingvar’s prosthetic desk sculpture. Rabbit fibula, yuk but great observation. Transplanting tissue from my hip, no no. Surgical Procedures… yes even I can understand the picture sequences, I like… gently and with great care … and… low rotational drill speeds; even, profuse irrigation, minimizing heat generation and mechanical trauma, begins to reassure. Oops, bucco-lingual sulcus, dentist jargon… seems to mean something to do with cheek bone clefts or fissures. Yes, osso bucco according to Macquarie is bone hole.

Preventative Maintenance. Yes, this could well be my downfall. I really must become a regular flosser, but hopefully the water pick will mostly suffice, if I have an implant.

Its Your Choice…A95…01…sure is. Seems to be addressed to dentists but reassures me as a layman. Start-Up kits… a titanium box… photo No. 6 on page 8 looks like me… minimal tissue violence…for me a very strong key consumer benefit…KCB, US marketing jargon.

So shall I? A reluctant, hesitant, yes despite the cost if it is as painless as it seems to be to put in place and effective for the tooth itself and its side and lower neighbours.

Can we lobby for more refundability from Medibank Private. This will blow my medical budget for this year and tax relief no on.