Suffering from missing teeth? Does this cause pain and difficulties in eating? Looking for dental implants in St Albans? Then look no further than UK Dental Specialists, leading experts in dentistry who are able to deal with all your dental needs and requirements.
Why do people get dental implants?
In the UK National statistics show that one in three people suffer from dental issues in their lifetime. This is usually caused by poor dental hygiene. If people do not maintain healthy teeth this leads to the teeth becoming eroded and then eventually they fall out.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are essentially a replacement for lost teeth. It is a titanium screw that is inserted into the jawbone in place of the missing tooth root. This is a lengthy procedure and the dentist will explain this to the patient at the initial consultation. At this appointment the dentist will determine whether or not the patient is eligible for having dental implants. The dentist will do a thorough examination of the jaw and take x-rays to ensure that the jawbone is strong enough to accept the titanium screw.
Once the dentist has confirmed that the patient is eligible to have dental implants then they will be given an appointment to attend once again to have the titanium screw fitted. In the time between the initial consultation and the first appointment it is essential for the patient to maintain good oral hygiene to avoid any further issues from developing that may cause a delay in the procedure.
On the day of the implant the dentist will first explain the procedure and the risks and benefits. The dentist will provide the patient with anesthetic to ensure that they are comfortable throughout the procedure. Once the area has been numbed the dentist will begin their work and insert the titanium screw directly into the jawbone where the missing tooth root is. Once that has been done no further work will be done for six to eight weeks in order to allow the screw to fuse with the jawbone and become a part of the jawbone. During this period it is important to ensure that the teeth are cleaned properly and oral hygiene is maintained to ensure that there is no infection at the site.
After six to eight weeks the patient will be required to attend the second appointment whereby the dentist will check to ensure that the screw has properly fused with the jawbone. Once this has happened the crown, denture, bridge or cap will be placed on top. The dentist will ensure that the tooth looks natural and blends with the rest of the natural teeth for a seamless finish.
Once the replacement tooth has been placed onto the titanium screw the patient will be advised to brush the tooth just the same as the normal teeth twice daily and maintain them as normal and to avoid discolouration. Also the patient will be advised to take painkillers regularly for the first few days to relieve the pain and discomfort.
