Dental Implant FAQs – What You Need To Know

An ‘at a glance’ guide to dental implants placed at our Ipswich dentist.

One area of dentistry that has grown most in popularity over the last few years is dental implant placement. Given the choice of dentures that sit on the gums, with the potential for movement that this can cause, or dental implants that are held securely by an artificial root, more and more people are turning to the more secure option for replacing their missing teeth.

One difference between the two options which can be a significant issue for some people is that dentures often don’t require any invasive treatment whereas implants always do. Understandably then, patients often have quite a few questions about having implants placed before deciding to go ahead at the Foxhall Dental Practice.

With this in mind, let us take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions about having teeth implants.

Can younger people have them?

While there is no upper age limit for having dental implants, there are restrictions for younger people. This is because our bodies may still be developing and this can mean changes in the shape of our jaw. Taking an extreme example; if an implant were to be placed in a 14 year old, by the time they became an adult, the jaw would have developed and the implant would be significantly out of place. Not only would this have an impact on the implant itself, but almost certainly on other teeth too. There is no ‘fixed’ minimum age but 18 is likely to be the youngest. Some people do not develop fully until their early 20s however, and it is important to have a thorough examination and consultation before you are accepted as a suitable tooth implant candidate.

Does the procedure hurt?

There is understandably some concern about the procedure as it involves the placing of an implant, a ‘screw like’ object, into the jawbone. This might sound excruciatingly painful, but the reality is that you should feel no more discomfort than you would expect from some other invasive treatments. Naturally, the procedure is carried out using a strong local anaesthetic and modern scanning equipment means that we can safely and accurately place your implant, avoiding any nerves in that location. Because of the nature of the treatment, there may be some residual discomfort for a short time afterwards but most patients find this to be manageable with over the counter painkillers from the pharmacy.

Does the treatment take long?

As the procedure is more complex than most treatments, placing a dental implant can take longer. The length of time will depend on the extent of the treatment and we will be able to offer a more accurate time at your consultation with us when we know the extent of the treatment needed.  The recovery time from this procedure is also something to keep in mind. It takes approximately three months for the dental implant to fully bond with the bone it is placed in. This process, called osseointegration, is essential for a strong and healthy tooth replacement. You will need to eat softer foods for a while during this period but we will discuss this with you in more detail should you decide to have this procedure.

How do I look after them?

Special care needs to be taken during the initial three months and we will give you full instructions of that at the time. Once your new implant is fully bonded though, aftercare is much simpler than dentures, where you have to remove them from your mouth and soak overnight etc. Dental implants can be cleaned in exactly the same way that you do your natural teeth. That is with good quality brushing and flossing plus regular check ups with the dentist and hygienist at our Ipswich practice. While the implant itself will not deteriorate, the biggest risks are gum diseases and in particular periodontitis and peri-implantitis which can affect the bone and surrounding soft tissues.

How reliable are they?

A healthy dental implant is very reliable and will enable you to eat whatever you want. You will suffer no movement and you can think of them as a natural tooth in almost every way. This applies only if you look after them as previously mentioned of course. Poor oral health care could lead to the underlying bone becoming damaged and may cause the implant to become loose. You should also make sure to have your implant placed by a qualified UK dentist, where the success rate is very high indeed. Opting to have cheaper implants placed abroad is a big risk, as we have discussed in other blogs. Cheap implants can mean inferior quality implants that may be placed by an inexperienced dentist. It really isn’t worth the risk.

Aren’t they expensive?

There is no getting away from the fact that dental implants are not a cheap option. Having said that, once placed and bonded, they can last for twenty years or more with good care. This means that there should be no more additional charges during its lifetime unlike dentures which may need to be repaired, adjusted or replaced during theirs. We do offer payment plans to help you spread the cost of any treatments and we are happy to discuss this during the consultation.

Are they available on the NHS?

Although there are a very small number of exceptions, such as restoring a mouth badly affected by mouth cancer or following major trauma such as a car accident that requires reconstructive surgery, dental implants are only available privately.

We hope that our blog has helped to answer any questions you might have about this increasingly popular tooth replacement treatment. If you have any further questions or would like to arrange a consultation to discuss having implants placed, with no obligation, you can call the Foxhall Dental Practice to arrange one on 01473 258396.