What are tooth implants?

Plenty of dental patients will have stories about teeth that have been knocked out or been removed because of decay, and typically those people will have to settle for a gap-toothed grin or a gummy smile, but there are alternatives to learning to live without your teeth. Tooth implants are a type of synthetic replica formed from a titanium rod with a natural-looking denture attached, they replace the missing tooth – or teeth – both aesthetically and functionally. For patients who have suffered the trauma of having a tooth knocked out or others who are tired of looking at empty sockets in the mirror, teeth implants are a durable, natural-looking alternative, second only to the real thing.

Why would I need them?

If you’ve lost a tooth through accident or decay, you are probably familiar with the impact it has on self-image and lifestyle – not to mention the ongoing dental implications – this is where implants come into play. Whether it’s been hours or perhaps even years, consult with a dentist at the Pearl Dental Clinic in London, they may be able to help you rebuild your smile and with it your confidence.

Tooth implants are ideal for patients who have lost a tooth in an accident, even if the whole tooth from root to crown has been removed. The first port of call would be to try and reattach the natural tooth, but this is not always possible – usually due to time constraints and severe damage to the gum line. Implants are an alternative to fixing the natural tooth, and they have an impressively high success rate, due mostly to the hardwearing titanium, which is fixed directly into the jaw line.

For people who have lost a lot of teeth through bad oral hygiene, the procedure is slightly more complicated, but can still be carried out by a skilled dental technician. After the rotten teeth have been removed and any gum disease treated with antibiotics, there could still be some issues if the condition has been allowed to progress over an extended period of time. The biggest problem with cases like this is that the jawbone starts to deteriorate if it’s left with no teeth to support for too long, the action of chewing stimulates bone growth, without teeth to bite and crunch, the surrounding soft tissue starts to absorb the jawbone and it will eventually dissolve. This is a serious problem as it can change the whole shape of the face if left untreated. Typically, dentists can help by grafting a new piece of bone onto the remaining structure, this not only rebuilds the lower face, but it also provides a solid base to fix the implants into. If you find yourself in a similar position to this, don’t leave it any longer to see your dentist, it will only lengthen and complicate the procedure unnecessarily.

Is it painful?

The healing process is likely to be when the most pain is felt during the treatment, but that’s normal of any surgical treatment. During the surgery itself you won’t feel anything as it is performed under local anaesthetic. Swollen gums and tender areas around the new teeth are to be expected, but if you become concerned about severe pain or suspect an infection, make an appointment with your dentist or an out of hours emergency surgery.

To get the best out of your implants, you have to be prepared to feel a little bit of discomfort, but remind yourself that most properly fixed implants will last for years and years without any major problems.

How long does it take?

It usually takes about nine to ten months for the new teeth to be finished and ready to use as normal, the majority of that period is taken up with healing and observation. Unless you are suitable for ‘immediate implants’ – implants that can be added straight after the titanium rods have been fixed in place – you will have to wait six months or more before the permanent teeth can be added, this is because the titanium needs to bond with the jawbone until it is solid enough for biting and chewing. Length of treatment largely depends on how extensive it is, the skill of your surgeon and your own natural healing process. If you required a bone graft before surgery, the treatment will take longer, but it’s a necessary part of the procedure. The good news is that dental implants are very hardwearing and last much longer than dentures or veneers.

Do I need to change my routine?

Immediately after the initial implantation you should avoid exercising or any activities that are too physical, damaging the implants before they have bonded with the bone will complicate things considerably. Be careful what you eat, stick to soft foods and low sugar drinks, and use antibacterial mouthwash when cleaning. If you start to feel pain at any point, NSAID’s – such as Ibuprofen – can help with discomfort and swelling, and they can be bought over the counter. For more serious concerns, return to your dentist and have your implants assessed.

If you lost your teeth to decay or gum disease in the first place, then it’s definitely a good idea to change your hygiene routine, particularly during the months of healing – ignoring your new teeth as you did before will lead you to similar problems, especially if you still have some natural teeth remaining. Patients who lost their teeth in an accident may already have established a satisfactory cleaning routine beforehand, the best advice here is to be gentle with your gums during the first few months, then as you notice them start to become more solid around the implants you can start getting back to normal.

Most dentist will direct you to clean thoroughly and visit the oral hygienist on a regular basis, this is more important for patients who have implants than natural teeth, as it’s best to keep a close eye on new additions and make sure there is no infection developing in the scar tissue.