|
A dental implant is a titanium metal rod , which is
placed into the jawbone. It is used to support one
or more false teeth. In practice, both the false teeth
and their supporting rod are known as 'implants.
Implants are a well-established, tried-and-tested
treatment. 90 per cent of modern implants last for
at least 15 years.
Yes. You can have any number of
teeth replaced with implants - from one single
tooth, to a complete set. It depends on the
state of the bone in your jaw. We will arrange
for a number of special tests to assess the
amount of bone still there. If there is not
enough, or if it isn't healthy enough, it
may not be possible to place implants without grafting
bone into the area first.
Placing the implants requires a small operation.
This can be carried out under local anaesthetic
or with sedation. The placement will therefore
be painless, but you may feel some discomfort
during the week following the surgery. This is
usually due to having sutures (stitches) in place,
and the normal healing process.
No. The implants need to bond
(integrate) with the bone after they have been
placed. This takes at least 3 months in the
lower jaw, and 6 months in the upper jaw. If
you are having one, two or three teeth replaced,
you will have a temporary restoration in the
meantime. If you have complete dentures, then
these can be worn throughout the healing period
once they have been modified after the surgery.
From the initial assessment to the time when the
artificial teeth or dentures are finally attached
to the implants, is about 12 months. However, if
only the lower jaw is involved then the whole process
may be completed in around 5 months.
A lot depends on how complicated your treatment
is. We will be able to give you a timetable once
the surgery has been completed.
Cleaning around the teeth attached to the implants
is no more difficult than cleaning natural teeth.
However, there may be areas that present particular
problems and you'll be shown methods to help.
Yes, if you don't care for them well enough.
If you keep them clean, and don't smoke, then you
should not have any problem.
|
