With dental implants, they will never slip, make noise or cause damage to the bone like alternative replacement treatments like fixed dental bridges or dentures can.
A better life starts with a beautiful smile.
On top of this, the materials used won’t put any extra pressure on your teeth or cause decay as seen with bridgework.
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Procedure guide
In short, the dental implant process is worth pursuing, if not just for its incredible life-long benefits. But if the surgical part of the process worries you or the length of the procedure makes you nervous, we’re here to put your mind at ease.
Our incredible founder and implant dentist is here to talk you through the dental implant procedure and is available to answer any questions you might have.
So, to learn what the implant procedure involves, Dr Pedro Gutierres, explains below.
Smile wider with Dr Gutierres
Dr Gutierre’s vast experience, education and amazing credentials in implant dentistry have awarded him notoriety as an international lecturer on same-day smile reconstructions with dental implants and have made him a highly sought-after dentist in London.
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Why you should never ignore missing teeth
Explained by Dr Gutierres, our implant dentist at Maida Vale Smile clinic.
The Implant Process In Short
The implant surgery itself will not take long – depending on the number of implants and type of method used. It should take less than a day. For example, one implant can take one to two hours to place.
Recovery Timeline
However, the entire implant process often takes up to five months to complete the restoration, with three of these months dedicated to osseointegration (the healing period for the implant and the bone to fuse).
With dental implants, we always advise reading up as much as possible about them beforehand to further your understanding of the options involved.
Dental Implant Stages
The first step on your implant journey is undergoing an implant consultation and assessment with one of our implant dentists.
Each implant we place is unique because every patient’s mouth is fantastic, which means their journey often is too.
So, during your examination, we will take the time to discuss all of your available options to work out the best treatment plan suited to your specifications and budget.
During this time, if implants are something you want to progress with, we will take x-rays of your mouth to build a model of your existing teeth, as this will help us determine when the implants need to be positioned.
We might also recommend a CBCT scan, which will help our dentists understand how much bone you have.
In cases of insufficient bone, we need to perform a bone graft or a sinus lift to create enough space for the implants to sit securely.
The dentist, at this point, will also walk you through what will happen before surgery and what will happen once the procedure is complete. Dr Gutierres will also provide a breakdown of costs (and the chance to set up interest-free, monthly instalments).
After your clinical assessment to determine your implant suitability, we will be ready to schedule you for your implant placement, which will be performed at our practice.
The procedure is straightforward and performed under local anaesthetic, making it relatively pain-free.
However, if you are an anxious patient, we might be able to offer you sedation to put your mind at further ease.
The dentist will cut into the gum when your mouth is fully numb to drill a small home. The implant itself will then be inserted into the jawbone – and at this time, the gum is sealed with stitches.
With implant treatments like Smile in a Day, your new teeth can be restored the same day as the surgery. However, for conventional implant treatments, we need to allow for a healing period, and you will wear temporary teeth for the time being.
*Bear in mind that temporary teeth are called temporary teeth for a reason! They are nothing in comparison to what the final restoration will be like.
Stage three often involves fitting the permanent teeth. After three months, the implant should be fully healed and ready to hold your new teeth.
Dr Pedro Gutierres, at this stage, will place the abutment and crown, which will be custom-made to match the exact shape, size and colour of the teeth they’ll be replacing.
From here, you will have access to aftercare help and advice, although, with implants, no special care or maintenance will be required. If necessary, one of our dentists will advise on follow-up appointments to ensure the implants are secure and healthy.
Are There Any Risks?
Just like any surgery, the implant process poses some health risks. However, problems are infrequent, but when they occur, they’re often very minor and easily rectified.
Some of the risks include:
- Infection around the site of the implant
- Injury or damage to the surrounding structures
- Nerve damage is indicated by pain, numbness or tingling in your teeth, gums, lips or chin
- Sinus issues
Choosing an experienced, highly-rated, credible dentist is essential when considering dental implants because who you choose to carry out your procedure matters.
