Implants are now considered the gold standard for tooth
replacement. They have a good long-term prognosis and
no negative impact on the surrounding dentition.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are essentially replacement titanium "roots"
which can be inserted into the jaw bone. After a certain
time period (usually between 3-6 months) these roots become
integrated with the bone and can then be used to provide
replacement of teeth. A crown, a bridge or a denture can be attached to implants
to replace missing teeth.
Am I suitable for dental implants?
There are very few medical situations where people are
not suitable for implant treatment.
Before implant treatment is offered at Cranbrook House
you will receive a thorough examination. This will help
determine your suitability for implant treatment.
Dental implants require a certain volume of bone. If there is not enough bone volume present then there are various grafting techniques in order to help provide conditions for implant treatment.
As with all dental treatment, assessment and diagnosis
are the key to success. Depending upon your situation
you may require a CT scan and other diagnostics. After
this point it can be confirmed whether you may require
a grafting procedure, or indeed if implant treatment is
feasible without the need for grafting.
What happens next?
Following a thorough examination and arriving at a full
mouth diagnosis, any basic treatment to make your mouth
healthy will be arranged for. Once your mouth is healthy
and free of any active disease processes, records will
be made to provide articulated casts. From this, a diagnostics
wax-up on the casts will be made to show you and us the
expected end result.
At this point, if the case is relatively straight forward
and no further diagnostics are required, a surgical stent
can be made to the dimensions of the diagnostic wax-up.
The surgical stent will be used during implant placement
to aid accuracy for the final prosthesis (crown, bridge
or denture).
Where there may be lack of bone height or width or vital
structures may be close to the intended implant site then
a radiographic stent will be fabricated. This will be
placed in your mouth whilst your CT scan is performed.
Information from the CT scan is utilied in a soft ware
package (Simplant) and accurate diagnoses can be made
to aid your treatment plan.
What happens at the time of implant placement?
Implant placement is regarded as a sterile procedure. Once you are comfortable and the implant site anaethetised with local anaesthetic, you will enter our implant suite where you will be made comfortable and prepared for minor surgery.
Where multiple implants or grafting are planned , or indeed if you are a little anxiuos about the procedure, we recommend that the procedure is carried out with the aid of IV sedation performed by our visiting Consultant Anaethetist.
What happens after the implant placement?
Following implant placement you will be instructed on and provided with written information regarding after-care. You will probably be advised to use aniinflammatories (such as Ibuprofen) and possibly be required to take antibiotics, if advised by the dental surgeon. You will also be advised to use an ice-pack.
Following any minor surgical procedure the bodies natural response is to produce inflammation. This usually manifests as swelling, discomfort and sometimes as minor bruising.
Swelling can be reduced effectively by the use of an ice-pack and antiinflammatories (such as Ibuprofen). Any discomfort is also usually well controlled with regualar use of the antiinflammatories. Any bruising can be minimised by the use of Arnica cream.
Most patients are reasonably comfortable within the first week following implant placement.
It is essential that good oral hygiene be maintained throughout the healing period an instructions given by your dental surgeon followed.
Generally, 3-6 month later, depending upon your case, the head of the implant(s) is (are) uncovered and a healing abutment(s) attached. This will allow the gum above the implant to be contoured for the neck of the final restoration to go on top of the implant.
Following a short time (2-3 weeks) the healing abutment is removed, an impression taken and the healing abutment replaced until the final crown, bridge or denture has been constructed. Once finished (usually 2-4 weeks) the healing abutment is removed and the final restoration is fixed to the implant.
Maintenance
A maintenance regime will be provided by you dental surgeon. This will include regular check-ups and regular hygiene vists.
What about the Cost?
Many people worry about finance related to implant treatment. At Cranbrook House we are happy to provide personalized payment plans to suit the needs of our clients.
We endevour to make it possible for our clients to have the most appropriate treatment for their biological situation rather than accepting an altenative option because it is less expensive financially especially if it is more expensive biologically.
