Woodside Crescent Dental Practice Glasgow - Implants

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is a titanium metal rod which is placed into the
jawbone. It is used to support one or more false teeth. In practice,
both the false teeth and their supporting rod are known as implants.

Are implants safe and how long will they last?

Implants are a well established, tried and tested technique. Over 95%
of modern implants should last for many years with the right care.

I have some of my own teeth. Can I still have implants?

Yes. You can have any number of teeth replaced with implants –
from one tooth to a complete set.

Can implants always be used to replace missing teeth?

It depends on the condition of your jaw bone. Your dentist will
perform a number of special tests to find out the amount of bone still
there. If there is not enough, or if it isn’t healthy enough, it may not
be possible to place implants without grafting bone into the area
first.

Do implants hurt?

Placing the implant means a small operation. This can be done using
a simple anaesthetic, and sometimes sedation if you are very
nervous. You will not feel any pain at the time, but you may feel
some discomfort during the week after surgery. This is usually due to
having stitches, and the normal healing process.

How long does treatment take?

Your dentist will be able to give you a rough timetable before the
treatment starts. Usually the permanent teeth are fitted 6 to 9
months after the implants are put in, but many implant systems now
allow the time to be as short as 3 months. Some teeth can now even
be fitted at the same time as the implants (known as immediate
implants) but you should check with your dentist to see whether
these are suitable for you.

What about after care?

Your dentist may give you some pain relief after the surgery, or
check whether you have them at home to take over the next few days
if you need them. Your dentist may also prescribe antibiotics. Don’t
smoke, exercise or drive for the rest of the day. Don’t rinse the area
and only eat soft foods. However, it is important that you keep your
teeth clean by brushing – but do not poke the implant site. You can
use a chlorhexidine mouthwash every day during the first week after
surgery.

What happens next?

The implants need to bond with the bone after they have been put in.
This usually takes at least 3 months in the lower jaw and 6 months in
the upper jaw. Sometimes the implants may be stable enough when
they are fitted for the artificial teeth to be attached much sooner
than this. You may have a temporary denture in the meantime. If
you have a complete denture you can keep wearing this throughout
the healing period once they have been modified after the surgery. A
healing cap will usually be placed onto the implant site to protect the
area during healing.

Are the teeth difficult to clean?

No. But after care is important if you are going to have a long-lasting,
successful implant. Your dentist should give you detailed advice on
how to look after your implants. Cleaning around the teeth attached
to the implants is no more difficult than cleaning natural teeth.
However, there may be areas that are difficult to reach and you’ll be
shown methods to help you. You may need to visit your hygienist
more often but your dentist will be able to talk to you about this.

If I had gum disease when I had my own teeth, will I get it
with the teeth attached to the implants?

Yes, if you don’t care for them well enough. If you keep them clean,
and don’t smoke, then you should not have any problems.

Can I take the teeth out if they are fixed to implants?

Most artificial teeth attached to implants can only be placed and
removed by the dentist. However, if you have complete dentures
fixed to the implants by bars, then you’ll be able to take them out for
cleaning.

Do I have an implant for each missing tooth?

No, unless you’re only having a single tooth replaced. Normally five
or six implants are used to replaced all the teeth in one jaw, as each
implant can usually support two teeth. For a few missing teeth, two
or three implants may be used.

What if I have an accident?

Implants and the teeth they support can be damaged by an accident
in the same way that natural teeth can. It is therefore important that
you wear a professionally made mouthguard if you play sports that
involve contact or moving objects. If there is damage, the teeth can
be dismantled from the implant and replaced. However, if the
titanium rod is damaged beyond repair, this part may be safely left in
the jaw if it is too difficult to remove. Another implant may be placed
alongside it to replace the damaged implant.

What happens if the implant does not bond with the bone?

This happens very rarely. If the implant becomes loose during the
healing period or just after, then it is easily removed and healing
takes place in the normal way. Once the jaw has healed, another
implant can be placed there. Or, the dentist can make a bridge, using
the implanted false teeth that have ‘taken’.

Is the treatment expensive?

In many situations, the cost of the treatment is only a little more
than the cost of more conventional treatment with crowns and
bridges. Over the longer term, implants are usually a more cost
effective and satisfactory option. There are advantages to it, too. An
implant to replace a single tooth avoids the need to cut down the
teeth either side for crowns to support a bridge. Normal dentures
often mean you can’t eat or speak well, due to the dentures moving
about. But teeth attached to an implant don’t cause this problem as
they are anchored to the bone more firmly than natural teeth.

The current costs of having dental implants in our Glasgow Practice
can be found in our Fees Guide which can be viewed or downloaded
by clicking below.