Watford Dental Implants Guide

Watford dental implants guide.

This is a very basic dental implants guide to help you decide if implants are for you.

A dental implant is usually a titanium rod that is set into the jawbone with a false tooth on top.  After a few months the jawbone closes around the metal rod so that the implant stays firmly in place.  They can also be the foundation for crowns or bridges that can be clipped onto the implant.

Only five or six implants are needed to replace and hold all the teeth, and is a far superior alternative to dentures.  After a while you’ll think they are your very own choppers!

Some dentists are qualified to do the surgery, if not you will be referred to a dentist who can.  The first step is to take an X-ray or scan of the patient’s mouth to make sure the jawbone is thick enough to withstand the implant.

Dental implants are carried out under local anaesthesia in most cases, which means you can watch what’s going on, your dentist may also give you a sedative if you are particularly anxious about the procedure.  Worst case scenario, it will be done under a general anaesthetic in a hospital, but you will wake up smiling!

Your dentist should tell you exactly what is going to happen at all stages of the surgery and recovery process and he may ask you to sign a standard consent form.  You should also take the opportunity to write down any medications you are taken, as they may affect the anaesthesia.

What is Done during Implant Surgery?

Delayed Implants
An incision will be made in the gum and a hole drilled to accept the implant rod…and that’s pretty much it

You will have to wait until your mouth is healed, then the dentist may have to uncover the gum that’s grown over the titanium post. Then he will fit the artificial tooth onto the post and any other teeth that are attached to it. A single tooth may be attached permanently, or they can be removed for cleaning.

Occasionally an implant can be made straight after a tooth is extracted by a dentist, thereby removing the need for any cutting and drilling.

The titanium implant rod and the small screw that pokes through the gum to connect the false tooth are fitted at the same time.

The rod is buried under your gum while the bone heals and a few months later, you will have another small operation to attach the false tooth.

Recovery from implant surgery done under local anaesthesia, is quick, it may be only 10-15 minutes – just until bleeding stops.

With general anaesthesia you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home and possibly stay with you until the next day.

Your mouth will feel just like when you’ve had a filling, numb.  You should follow the instructions the dentist will give you in regard to oral hygiene, what to do in case of pain or if any swelling occurs.

The dentist will make further appointments to remove any stitches and check on progress.

If you’d like to know more…call 01923 223 278 today.

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