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The Facts
What is a Dental Implant?
A substitute for a natural root and made from titanium or titanium alloy, dental implants are commonly screw or cylinder shaped. Known as osseointegrated implants, these dental implants develop and maintain a close union with bone in order to support replacement teeth. Each implant is placed into a socket carefully and drilled at the precise location of the intended tooth. To support replacement teeth, dental implants typically contain an internal screw thread or post space allowing a variety of components to be fitted. Once fitted, these components provide the foundation for long-term support of crowns, bridges or dentures.
Am I suitable for dental implants?
Being in good general health gives you a better chance of success with dental implants. Lifestyle habits like heavy drinking or smoking can increase the number of associated short and long term problems. Discuss with your dental implant clinician whether you have any complicated medical issues which may impede dental implant procedures.
What is the length of the treatment?
Varying between 6 weeks and 6 months, treatment is dependent upon the availability of good bone. With poorer bone treatment times may extend beyond six months.
How do I look after my implants?
To maintain optimum implant health it is important to increase your oral care routine. Brush and floss the same way that you around natural teeth and tooth-supported bridges however special floss, interdental brushes and other cleaning aids may be required. Frequent dental visits may be requested by your dentist to check that your implants are performing well.
Are my teeth suitable for implants?
Your pre treatment consultation will involve detailed questions about your medical history, a complete examination of your mouth and remaining teeth to discover the nature and extent of any current dental problems, and up-to-date x-rays and photos may be taken.
Making sure you have good basic dental health is a key stage in any treatment plan. At your first appointment your dentist will inform you of any urgent problems and what treatment is required.
What will I be told before my treatment begins?
Your Swindon dentist will provide a written summary of your treatment planning discussion(s), highlighting your current dental situation and any alternatives to dental implants. The summary will include an overview of the treatment stages, the length of treatment time, the number of implants required and the treatment costs.
Do I have enough bone for dental implants?
Dental CT (computed tomography) scans as an accurate and advanced x-ray technique allows your jawbone to be viewed in all three-dimensions. These images normally show all of your bone information including quantity and quality, but more importantly the presence of anatomical structures to avoid.
Can I be sedated for the procedure?
If you are anxious about undergoing a dental implant treatment there are effective ways to help you achieve a more comfortable state.
Relative analgesia. This is a mixture of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oxygen which you inhale for the duration of the procedure, through a small mask placed over your nose.
Oral sedation. This is a dose of a short-acting medication (effective for up to one hour treatments) such as Temezapam to help reduce anxiety.
Conscious sedation. To control the way you relax and stay comfortable throughout a surgical procedure, conscious sedation, which differs from general anaesthetic, allows you to remain alert to respond to simple instructions. Delivered through a vein in your arm or hand, this very safe procedure is monitored throughout by an anaesthetist.
What do you have to do before sedation?
Please do not eat or drink for at least four hours prior to the surgery. Arrange for someone to take you home as you will be advised not to operate any machinery for at least 24/36 hours afterwards.
General anaesthesia
Requiring a hospital admission this method is mainly used where bone grafting from the hip to the mouth, or where large numbers of implants are being placed at the same time.
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Mr Robson
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