Ask our dentistQ: My 15-year-old son has recently lost one of his front tooth in a football accident and we would like to get it replaced with an implant. My husband got one of these implants recently and we are very happy with the results. I'd like to know whether my son can get a dental implant as a permanent solution? A: It is true that the best and most permanent solution would be if your son got a dental implant, however, the procedure is only recommended for young perople over 18 years of age becuase by the end of their teenage years their jawbones will stop growing.
Q: I'm a 30-year-old woman, a smoker with receeding gums, and I also lost a few teeth during pregnancy. What are my chances for getting dental implants? A: We can start planning the procedure once we know where and how many teeth are missing. Having receeding gums can effect the outcome of the operation so it is important to treat it beforehand. Smoking is a disqualifying factor and so we recommend you quit before the operation.
Q: I'm a 70-year-old pensioner, have lost all my teeth and have a loose denture. My dentist said the only way to fix it was to glue the denture in, but I want a permanent solution. Would an implanted tooth serve as secure anchor for the denture? A: Dental implants offer a great way to keep dentures in place without using glue, or any other material. Unfortunately, our present level of technical advancement does not yet allow dentures to be kept in place by a single implanted tooth - at lest two teeth per mandible are needed for that.
Q: I'm a middle-aged man, waiting for a dental implant to be placed. I'd like to know which system allows me to get the operation done in anaesthesia? A: None of the implant systems exclude to possibility of having its implants placed in anaesthesia - it is rather up to the given dental clinic to provide the necessary equipement and staff required for such a procedure.
Q: I regularly get my plaque removed. I'll soon receive a bridge supported by implants. Can I still get my plaque removed after the implantation? A: Yes, to get your plaque removed and other oral hygiene treatments done is highly recommended after the implantation too. However, the cleaning of the implants requires special tools and equipement so it is recommended to let your dental clinic know about your need in advance. It is also recommended to get instructions from your dentist regarding the cleaning of your denture.
Q: I'm allergic to metals, but would really like to get an implant placed. What metals are implants made from and what chances are that they would securely fuse with my bone? Should I also get my golden fillings replaced? Being allergic to metals is not an excluding factor since dental implants nowadays are made of titanium which don't cause any allergic reactions. The chances of your body rejecting the implant are very little and it does not depend on what material the implant was made of. Replacement teeth made of gold or silver can be attached to titanium implants.
Q: Due to heart problems, I'm prescribed blood thinners. I'd like to get my missing teeth replaced so I'd like to know how to proceed, what risks are involved and whether the implant may losen later on? A: Placing a dental implant is a routine procedure. However, you need to consult your GP prior to and after the operation to get your prescribed drug level adjusted. During the operation it may be the case that an increased amount of astringent need to be administered so it is advisable to get the drug level adjusted but the chance of any complications arising is not higher than it is for regular patients.
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