Facts to know about dental implants
What are the advantages of dental implants over traditional tooth replacement solutions?
- Adjacent teeth don't need to be ground down to provide anchors
- They can be used even if the patient doesn't have any molar teeth left. In such cases higher stability and comfort can be achieved by attaching the crowns to the implants
- In case of toothlessness, dental implants can be used to provide more secure anchors for dentures, or - by placing a certain number of implants - they can support permanent bridges
- By using implants, the masticatory force is provided by the jaw bone, so the shrinkage of the bone and the surrounding soft tissues stops
- Dental implants may last decades, or even a lifetime
- Dental implants don't only improve your appearance but your health too, by preventing a host of health issues, such as tooth drifting, speech problems, and digestion problems
Who can get a dental implant?
Any adult can be a candidate for dental implants provided they maintain a good standard of oral higyene, are in good general health, have appropriate bone quantity and there is no contraindication.
Certain conditions exclude the possibility of receiving dental implants:
- unattanded severe case of diabetes
- haemophilia issues
- taking steroids, bisphosphonates, anti-cancer drugs
- heavy smoking
- drug addiction
- poor oral hygiene
- being a patient under the age of 18
- insufficient bone quantity and inappropriate bone quality
How long deos the operation take?
In ideal circumstances the operation won't take longer than 20-30 minutes.
Is the operation painful?
Patients are given local anaesthetic so they won't feel any pain during the operation.
What can be done if there isn't appropriate bone quantity?
If the patient doesn't have the appropriate bone quantity, different osteoplasty solutions can be applied, to prepare the area for receiving an implant. Osteoplasty can be done by using the patient's own bone material or by adding artificial bone. In such cases the healing period is longer, usually about 6 months.
Is there any risk or issue associated with dental implants in the long run?
There can't be any complications with dental implants in the long run provided the patient maintains a good standard of oral hygiene and visits his/her dentist at least once a year.
How to prepare for the operation?
- You should let your dentist know about any illness, allergy, or drug allergy you might have, or, are treated for
- If your take prescribed medicines, take them according to your dentist's instructions
- Don't arrive to the operation on an empty stomach
Post-operation best practises
- The operation area must be taken care of according to your dentist's instructions
- Avoid sports activities and heavy work, such as lifting, or carrying heavy loads, in the 3 days following the operation
- In case the area gets swollen, apply ice to your cheek a few times throughout the day, to reduce swelling
- Take your prescribed medicines according to your doctor's instructions