An Honest Guide to Teeth Implants

"The time frame for carrying out a dental implant procedure varies on several factors. Using the traditional method of placing an implant, the shortest possible time is around five months. While the surgical procedure of placing the implant in the jawbone will take only around 30 minutes for a single tooth, it is the next stage that takes the time. It is vital to ensure that the implant has fused to the bone and created the strongest possible anchor for the abutment and crown. Also, in situations where bone grafting is required prior to placing an implant, the dental implant procedure can take longer. The process can take up to a year or more, to ensure the bone is of sufficient quality and that the implant will be long-lasting and effective.

"Dental implants are one of the safest types of dental surgery when performed by an experienced dentist. As a procedure that has been carried out for many years, there is an enormous amount of proof of the success of the treatment. However, while dental implants are incredibly safe, they still involve surgery, Any surgery poses some risks, and although they are rare and easily treated, it is always worth being aware of them:

• Reaction to anaesthetic
• Incorrect pain control during surgery
• Bleeding during surgery
• Infection at the implant site
• Damage to teeth and blood vessels surrounding the implant
• Nerve damage
• Protrusion of the implant into a sinus cavity
• Inability to correctly fuse with the jawbone

The majority of the risks associated with dental implants are relatively minor. In addition, the majority can be mitigated. Being treated by an experienced dentist is fundamental. A reputable dentist will thoroughly review your circumstances and put a personalised treatment plan together. As long as any additional risk factors are taken into account early on, there is minimal risk to the procedure.

"Dental implants are suitable for the vast majority of adults with good general health. Younger patients are not suitable as the jaw needs to be fully developed. In the same vein, there must be enough bone in the jaw, if the procedure is to be successful. While lack of jawbone doesn’t necessarily mean dental implants aren’t suitable, it does make the process more complicated. To create a strong enough base for the implants, bone augmentation or bone grafting can be used.

There are certain conditions that increase the problems associated with the healing process for dental implants. Patients who drink or smoke heavily, increase the risk of implant failure. There are also certain medical conditions which create increased risk.

The best way to ascertain suitability for dental implants is to undergo a feasibility assessment at your initial consultation. Your medical history will be fully reviewed, and your mouth and remaining teeth thoroughly examined.

"Smoking restricts the amount of blood flow to the tissues surrounding an implant, which increases the chances of implant failure. The implant needs oxygen and nourishment, which is compromised by smoking. In turn, the healing process takes longer. While the implant may be successful, there is also a risk of limited bone growth and insufficient integration with the jawbone.

Most dental professionals would advise patients to stop smoking to ensure the success of their dental implant. The ideal would be for you to quit permanently. However, the minimum is for smoking to be prohibited for at least a few weeks prior to the operation and a few months after. This is the best way to ensure a successful outcome.

"As is the case with smokers, having uncontrolled diabetes increases the risk of implant failure. The reason for this is that the wound can take a long time to heal. A slow healing process increases the risk of infection. If an infection takes hold, then the risk of dental implant failure increases drastically along with associated complications.

However, those with controlled diabetes are at no more risk of complications than those without diabetes. It is uncontrolled diabetes that results in higher rates of infection and dental implant failure. To help resolve the situation, an experienced dentist will help create a plan to help you get your diabetes under control. Once diabetes is under control, and the risk of gum disease is minimised, there is no reason why you can’t have a successful dental implant.

"It is vital for a patient’s blood pressure to remain within a specific range to carry out a dental implant safely. Unfortunately, the anxiety related to a surgery along with the adrenalin in the anaesthetic can cause a patient’s blood pressure to rapidly rise. However, there are ways to mitigate the risks. With the help of your doctor, your medication can be adjusted to ensure your blood pressure stays within the necessary limits during the procedure. Alternatively, sleep dentistry can be used. Sleeping through surgery reduces surgery-related anxiety and the anaesthetic used isn’t adrenalin based. The best course of action is to discuss your blood pressure and medical history in detail with your dentist prior to any procedure.

"It is vital that the jawbone is strong enough to firmly hold an implant in place and support a replacement tooth. If the bone isn’t strong enough, there is a much higher chance that the implant surgery will fail. However, the lack of sufficient jawbone doesn’t mean it isn’t possible to have a dental implant. If you don’t have enough jaw bone, and it is thin or soft to hold an implant, a bone graft may be recommended.

In a bone graft procedure, a dental surgeon either takes a section of bone from another area of your body or uses a special grafted material. Bone is usually taken from behind the back teeth, the lower jaw or the chin. The bone is then grafted onto the existing jawbone. Once in place, the grafted bone will encourage the growth of strong new bone. The process can take several months, but once enough new bone has grown, the implant will have the stable base it requires.

"Even though dental implants are a remarkably successful procedure, they do sometimes fail. The failure is, for the most part, due to the bone not healing properly and fusing with the implant. There can be many reasons for this, although they fall into three main categories:

• General health – when patients have health problems, there is a higher chance of dental implant failure. This can be due to smoking, diabetes or inadequate oral hygiene.
• Oral care – the implant site needs time to recover post-surgery. If you don’t look after yourself by eating a soft diet and practising good oral care, an implant can fail.
• Experience of the dentist – the competence of the dentist is fundamental to ensure you receive a personalised treatment plan.

While there is always a chance that an implant might fail, there is plenty that can be done to reduce the likelihood. Going to an experienced dental professional who will take into account every aspect of the treatment is the best starting place. Next is to be a good patient, following the advice regarding health and ongoing care. In the majority of cases, dental implants will stand strong for many years to come.

"The dental implant procedure should not be at all painful. Your dentist will ensure that you receive the correct level of anaesthesia to not feel anything during the surgery. If you experience anxiety related to dental surgeries, your dentist should be able to help you with relaxation techniques.

After the procedure, it is likely that you will feel some pain. The numbness of the anaesthesia will wear off after a few hours, and the implant site may feel sore. The level of pain will depend on how involved the procedure was, but it should be treatable with over-the-counter pain relief. Over the next few days, swelling and bruising may cause some further discomfort. However, this is again easily treatable and should subside within a week.

"Choosing the right dental implant dentist is vital to ensure the treatment is as successful as possible. It can seem like quite a task as there are so many dentists offering dental implant treatment. However, there are a few things to look out for that will help you make the right choice. When choosing a dental implant dentist, there are three key areas to consider:

1. Dentist training – being trained as a dentist alone,  isn’t enough to perform dental implants to a high standard. To perform dental implants, dentists need to take specific, extra-curriculum theoretical and practical courses in implant dentistry. This enables them to have the right knowledge and experience to deal with a wide variety of cases.
2. Treatment planning – as part of their training, dentists will learn to carry out effective treatment planning. This is a vital step for dental implants. It ensures every factor is taken into account for each patient and that complications are minimised.
3. Materials – it’s crucial that the materials used for dental implants are of a high standard and comply with safety and quality regulations. Using low-cost alternatives can lead to many complications.

Any reputable dentist will be only too happy to explain their credentials. By ensuring they have undertaken the necessary post-graduate courses, you can have confidence in their ability. Likewise, with the right training, they should be able to effectively carry out treatment planning. Your dentist should also be willing to explain the materials used for your implants and prove they adhere to the necessary regulations.