Fed up with that gap in your smile? Eager to learn more about dental options to have it filled?
Here, 5 common queries about oral implants are answered, so read on to learn more!
Are oral implants painful to have fitted?
Not at all!
Dental implants Harley Street are fitted under a local anaesthetic or a sedative if you are nervous.
You will not feel any part of the procedure and once at home, the sensations associated with the oral implant fitting should be manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.
If they aren’t, please seek medical attention immediately.
Is there an upper age limit on oral implants?
No, there isn’t! There is a lower age limit however; you have to be over the age of 18 to receive oral implants.
The only real requirements for endosteal implants is that you have good general oral health, a healthy jawbone (determined via an X-ray) and that you do not have a contraindicated health condition such as osteoporosis. Even if you have health concerns, your dentist may be able to fit a different type of oral implant that does not have the same requirements, such as a subperiosteal alternative.
How long is the recovery period?
Once your oral implants have been fitted, you will need to wait for around 2 weeks post-fitting for your gums to heal and for the swelling around the implant site(s) to recede. This means that during the appropriate period, you should avoid consuming harder foods, spicy foods and will also need to keep the areas clean using salt water and a soft-bristled brush to clean any natural surrounding teeth.
When you have an oral implant fitted, you will need to wait for around 3-6 months for them to fuse completely with your jawbone and so, during this time, you will need to see your dental team to assess if your implants are fusing correctly. If they are, you can have your prosthetic tooth or teeth fitted and can begin using your new teeth to eat food and show off your dazzling smile.
How long do oral implants last?
With the correct aftercare and maintenance, oral implants can easily last up to 15 years.
Remember, that just because you have teeth that are not natural, this does not mean that they require less care than original teeth do. You will still need to brush them twice a day, floss them, attend dental check-ups every 6 months and prevent gum disease.
Even though they are not your natural teeth, you can still lose them to gum disease if it is not treated quickly.
If you have any concerns that your oral implants are moving or falling out, please contact your dentist for an immediate assessment.
What happens if they fall out?
In the very unlikely event that your oral implants fall out or become loose, your dental team will need to determine the underlying cause. And of course, the type of implant you have will need to be assessed. For the sake of this question, it will be assumed that you have an endosteal implant fitted, which is the most commonly used type.
In most cases, this tends to revolve around issues such as gum disease, which may be remedied with a scale and polish. However, in the event that the implant has become loose due to issues with your jawbone, then your dental team may need to remove it altogether and replace it with a different type, such as subperiosteal or zygomatic, which do not rely so heavily on your jaw being in good condition.
