Natural-Looking Dental Implants, Dorset

• Prior to your procedure appointment, please follow instructions carefully as individual requirements vary.
• Preoperative corsodyl mouth washing is advisable.

Dental implant surgery – the process
Treatment is normally divided into 2 or 4 phases

• Pre-operative – Phase 1

Before dental implants can be placed, x-rays and impressions of your mouth are required. These allow us to plan your treatment.

• Phase 2 treatment – Implant placement – Stage 1

The next stage of your treatment is to insert the implant. This is done in two parts. Normally done under local anaesthetic (an injection that numbs the area we are working on) by lifting the gum away from the underlying bone, then gently and carefully drilling into the jaw bone. The implant is inserted into the bone and the gum is replaced and held together with some stitches. The stitches dissolve about 1-2 weeks later or removed once healing is completed.

• Phase 2 treatment – After three months – Stage 2

The second stage of implant surgery is where the gum is exposed and the new type of screw (healing abutment) is inserted to facilitate the process of the restorative procedure. Before this, an x-ray is taken to confirm that the implant is healthy and well integrated into the bone.

• Phase 3 – Restorative treatment

You will need either 2-4 appointments depending on your type of restoration (crown/bridge/denture). This will include taking impressions and checking the fit of the parts used to make your replacement teeth.

• The local anaesthetic affect will last for about two hours. During this time, take care not to injure the affected parts by accidentally biting, or burning them with hot drinks. It is advisable to avoid hot drinks, such as tea or coffee, for the first twenty-four hours after your appointment.
• When you arrive home, take the painkillers as prescribed for you, and continue the anti-biotics as instructed until finished. If you seem to be having a reaction to the medication, please call the surgery.
• If possible, avoid food until the local anaesthetic has worn off, and then have a soft tepid meal. It is also best to have soft meals for the first few days after surgery.
• Any dentures should be left out completely for few days, and specific individual instructions relevant to yourself, will be given following that.
• Avoid lying down for twenty-four hours after the operation. Sleep with few pillows under your head.
• Do not clean around the implant site(s) for the first 24 hours at all, then normal cleanings should begin in the usual way. Take care not to knock the implant site(s). Warm salt water rinses should be started 24 hours after surgery. Very lightly, without swishing, shake your head and allow the water to bathe the wound. Do this twice a day for two weeks using a quarter to half a teaspoon of salt to a glass of water. Follow this with a Corsodyl rinse.
• Blood stained saliva is to be expected following surgery for approximately 24-48 hours. If excessive bleeding takes place however (e.g. large clots of blood) then apply pressure to the area. Roll up a piece of gauze, wet it and apply steady pressure for 20-30 minutes. Sit down, not lie down…stay calm, as anxiety raises the blood pressure. Remove the gauze and repeat if the bleeding has not stopped. If bleeding continues contact the practise.
• It is normal to expect some slight swelling and possible bruising around the surgical site(s). Sometimes temporary altered sensation is experienced. Some pain is normal and to be expected, but the painkillers prescribed will keep this to tolerable levels. After two to three days this should have disappeared, any swelling or bruising may last a little longer. Ice packs can be applied periodically to the face for the first 6 hours after surgery.
• Numbness of the chin can occur if you have lower implants. In most cases this disappears. In time, but occasionally this could be permanent. Please contact the surgery if this occurs.
• If upper posterior implants are placed, do not blow your nose for two weeks after surgery. Any nosebleeds that occur should be reported to the surgery.
• Do not smoke as long as possible or for at least one month, as smoking will slow healing.
• Do not drink alcohol for two weeks as alcohol can damage the healing tissues.
• Avoid exertion for the first few days after the surgery.
• It is important that you maintain a high protein diet throughout the post-operative phase. Foods that are a good source of protein are eggs, soup, cottage cheese, ground lean beef and milk products. A fairly soft diet should be maintained following surgery while the implant heals.

If you have any problems or are concerned in any way, please telephone the Wentworth Clinic on 01202 428773 or 01202 422171 for advice during the day.

• What are the benefits – why should I have dental implants?
  Dental implants can be very useful where we would otherwise have to crown healthy teeth or wear a denture or bridge would be difficult or sometimes impossible because there are no suitable teeth or gums for support.
• What are the risks?
  There is a small risk that the implants may not fuse properly with the bone in your mouth. The risk is higher in certain individuals, particularly those who smoke.Implant placement involves surgery in your mouth and so may be followed by some soreness, swelling, bleeding or bruising. Any discomfort is usually controlled with simple painkillers and should only last a few days.
• It is possible for parts of your implants to loosen or wear out with time. You will be responsible for the long term care of your implants.
• Some patients who require implants do not have sufficient bone. In these circumstances, it may be necessary to carry out a bone graft. This involves more surgery and associated swelling, bruising and pain. With a bone graft, treatment may take 3-6 months longer.
• Are there any other alternatives?
  The available treatment options will vary a lot from person to person and so will be discussed with you at your assessment. These may include no treatment, preparing other teeth for crowns and bridges or dentures.
  
• How can I prepare for a dental implant?
  Please make sure you have told us about any problems with your health and about any tablets or medicines you are taking.
• If you are a smoker we strongly advise you to stop smoking and remain a non-smoker in the long term. This will significantly reduce the risk of some implant complications. You can contact the NHS free smoking helpline on 0800 022 4322.
• Asking for your consent
  We want to involve you in all the decisions about your care and implants treatment. If you decide to go ahead with treatment, you will be asked to sign a consent form. This confirms that you agree to have the procedure and understand what it involves.
• We will inform you about your planned treatment in detail before we start. However, there are times during treatment when we change the planned treatment.  If you are having sedation, we will discuss all possible alternative treatments with you in advance.
• Will I feel any pain?
  The level of discomfort is variable and generally only requires painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
• What happens after the procedure?
  If you have had the procedure under local anaesthetic you will be able to leave the clinic as soon as the procedure has been completed. You should be able to eat normally after the surgery but a soft diet may be advised. You should avoid alcohol for 24 hours.
• What do I need to do after I go home?
  You should be able to return to work within a day of treatment. Occasionally you may not be able to wear your dentures for up to two weeks after the surgery.
• Will I have a follow-up appointment?
  You will be seen by your own dentist, usually about one week after the procedure to check on your stitches and everything is healing well.
• If I had gum disease when I had my own teeth, will I get it with the implants?
  Yes, if you don’t care for them correctly. If you keep them clean and have them regularly checked by your dental team you should not have any problems. Smoking also affects the health of implants, so if you smoke, you may need to look after your implants more carefully.

If you are considering dental implants then we suggest a consultation with our qualified dentist to enable us to establish exactly what is required.  Our Dental implants start at £2750 – this includes cost of the surgery, restorative work and x-rays.

Call us today to find out more.