Wessington Dental - implant Borchure 2018

Are You Considering Dental Implants?

A patient’s guide to dental implants

A Patient’s Guide to Dental Implants At Wessington Dental we care about you and take the time to make sure that you not only get the highest quality treatment available, but that all of your questions are answered prior to your treatment.

If you’re considering dental implants, then we have created this comprehensive guide to answer some of your most common questions.

If you’re interested in finding out more about our Dental Implant treatments, please don’t hesitate to book a complimentary consultation with a member of the team.

This guide has been compiled by Wessington Dental.

Meet the Implant Team

Paul Shenfine

Chris Hanford

Jas Jandoo

GDC 63626

GDC 113603

GDC 150110

Our implant team have many years of experience in implant and advanced restorative dentistry. They continuously update their knowledge and skills using the latest technology.

You will be initially seen by one of our implant clinicians, who will propose a treatment plan on how to achieve the best outcome for you.

As Paul says; “We are experts on teeth, but you are an expert on what is right for you.”

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A Patient’s Guide to Dental Implants Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. Implants are an artificial replacement for the root of a tooth and so they are a more secure and permanent measure than alternative treatments, such as dentures and bridges. Just like the root of a tooth, an implant is placed directly into the jaw bone. Long-term implants are the more cost effective option of replacing missing teeth.

Who Is Suitable For Dental Implant Treatment?

Most adults that maintain good oral health are suitable for dental implant treatment. Implants are only suitable for adults as they can only be fitted once the jawbone has stopped growing. The implant success rate for a heavy drinker and smoker is considerably less than somebody who doesn’t drink or smoke. Drinking and smoking may result in long-term bad health of gums and the surrounding bone.

If you are a smoker and do not wish to give up, the risks associated with smoking will be explained to you and the dentist may decline further treatment.

If you do have any health concerns, be sure to speak to a doctor or dentist prior to starting any treatment, however it is only in a few circumstances that a health problem will prevent the use of dental implants.

What To Expect At Your Appointment In the initial consultation stages, your dentist will assess and confirm your suitability for the implant treatment and ensure it is the best solution for your needs. In order to confirm this, you will need to answer a range of detailed questions concerning your medical history, current state of health and smoker status. There will then be a complete examination of your mouth and remaining teeth to check for any current dental problems.

After the dentist has examined your mouth, a 3D digital scan will usually be taken and models of your teeth will be prepared for examination after your visit. The 3D image will be used to determine the best position for an implant and will also allow the dentist to understand the quality and volume of bone that is present.

Before beginning a new treatment plan, establishing good basic dental health is key. If any additional treatments are needed to resolve underlying issues, you will be made fully aware of these at your first consultation before going ahead with implant treatment. Your dentist will outline exactly how your particular treatment will be approached – so you will have peace of mind knowing that you have all of the information you need.

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Single Tooth Implant If you are missing a single tooth, one implant and a crown can replace it. The implant then acts as a new “root� and a crown (cap), which is made to look like a natural tooth, is attached to the implant to fill the space left in the mouth by the missing tooth.

Implant Retained Bridge An implant retained bridge is used when more than one tooth is missing in a row. It is similar to a regular dental bridge, but it is supported by implants and not by natural teeth. In most cases the implants will be placed at either end of the gap and a bridge of linked crowns will be attached to fill the whole space.

One of the benefits of an implant bridge is that you do not require an implant for every missing tooth. For example, if you have a three tooth space you could use two implants to support a three tooth bridge.

Implant Retained Denture An implant-supported denture is a type of overdenture that is supported by and attached to implants. Implant supported dentures are much more stable and secure than regular dentures.

This type of treatment can be used to replace multiple teeth or even a full arch, normally supported by two or four implants. This option gives you the flexibility of having something that can be removed to clean, but also gives you stability and retention so that you can eat, chew and speak confidently.

A lot of patients prefer implant dentures over conventional dentures as the palate is not covered and they are a lot more discrete.

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How Does It Work?

The dental implant is placed surgically into the jawbone.

Frequently Asked Questions

As you heal, your implant will osseointegrate, or fuse with, your natural jawbone, with the two growing together to form a strong and longlasting foundation for your replacement teeth.

This healing process can take weeks to months while you proceed with your everyday life in between appointments.

Are implants safe?

Once the implant bonds with the jawbone, an abutment – is placed on top of the dental implant to connect the implant to the replacement tooth or teeth.

Once treatment is complete, if implants are looked after with a regular routine of dental hygiene and check-ups, then there is nothing to suggest that an implant won’t last as long as any natural tooth would.

For any implant treatment to be successful there must be enough bone in the jaw. The bone has to be strong enough to hold and support the implant(s). If there is not enough bone, you may require an additional procedure.

If I don’t have enough bone, what are my options?

Bone loss after the removal or loss of teeth can be common. If there is not enough bone present to support an implant, there are several other procedures called bone augmentation or bone grafting. Your options would be fully explained by your clinician.

In addition to this, natural teeth and supporting tissues near the area where the implant will be placed must be in good health.

Implants are a well-established treatment that have been researched and tested for many years.

How long do implants last?

I have some of my own teeth. Can I still have implants?

Yes. You can have any number of teeth replaced with implants, from one tooth to a complete set of teeth.

What immediate aftercare do implants require?

Following surgery, your dentist may provide you with some moderate pain relief or prescribe antibiotics if they feel this is necessary. It is highly recommended that you do not smoke or exercise for the rest of the day and take it easy.

Do implants hurt or cause discomfort?

Most of our patients are surprised at how little discomfort is felt during and after the surgery. All the necessary post operative instructions will be given to encourage minimal discomfort.

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How long does treatment take?

The length of treatment can vary from patient to patient. At your initial appointment, your dentist will give you an approximate time frame for your case before the treatment begins.

What should I know before I get this treatment?

It is standard practice that you should be given a written summary of your initial discussion including your treatment plan, any notes on your current dental health and any alternative options available to you instead of dental implants. In this summary, there should also be an overview of the treatment you will receive at each stage in order to give you an idea of how long the treatment should take, how many implants are needed and how much it will cost.

Do you need to have a healthy mouth?

Yes, but we can help you get there. In most cases, patients enquiring about dental implants are aware of an ongoing dental problem.

The cause of the problem(s) will need to be investigated, understood, and treated before implant treatment begins. Our dentists will always advise you based on your individual situation.

Can I wear replacement teeth whilst going through implant treatment?

It’s likely that if the implant site is in a clearly visible part of your mouth, then you won’t want visible gaps left throughout your implant process.

This is, however, a personal preference and we can always make you something temporary to fill any space. There are many ways this can be done ranging from temporary dentures to removable bridges.

Can dental implants be placed next to natural teeth?

Yes, one of the biggest advantages of dental implants is that it does not affect the adjacent teeth. Filling the space with an implant can actually improve the prognosis of neighbouring teeth by taking some of the load when chewing.

Will I have general anaesthetic or be sedated?

Pain relief will be administered throughout. If you are feeling nervous or anxious there are several ways in which we can help.

• Oral sedation (tablet form) – this is where a dose of short-acting medication is given that can help you relax during the surgery.

This will be given approximately 1 hour prior to surgery and will act long enough to last the full duration.

• Conscious sedation – this is different from a general anaesthetic because you remain alert throughout to respond to simple instructions that could help the dentist during your treatment. Following the surgery, you will remember almost nothing about this treatment stage. Conscious sedation can be particularly beneficial to help you feel more relaxed. The process involves a carefully controlled amount of sedative being delivered through a vein in your arm or hand for the full duration of the surgery. It is a safe method and your heart rate and oxygen levels will be monitored throughout by an sedationist/ sedation nurse. Additionally, a local anaesthetic will also be injected around the implant site(s) to ensure you are free of pain throughout the procedure.

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How do I take care of my healed implants?

Maintaining good dental hygiene will improve the lifespan of your implants. Regular dental checks and hygiene visits will be advised.

Cleaning implants is not difficult and for most implant-supported teeth you will be able to clean around each implant by brushing and flossing in the normal way you would with natural teeth. In some cases, special floss, interdental toothbrushes and other cleaning methods may be needed.

Will I be able to eat what I like afterwards?

When your implant procedure is complete and your mouth has healed, you should be able to eat a normal, healthy diet without difficulty.

Where do I get this treatment?

If you contact our friendly team, we will be happy to arrange a complimentary consultation with one of our implant dentists.

Wessington Dental, 1b Hylton Park Rd, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear SR5 3HD PHONE: 0191 549 8888 | EMAIL: smile@wessingtondental.co.uk