Seamlessly replacing teeth; dental implants
You may primarily see a dentist as a professional who fixes and maintains teeth, but with dental implants Richmond we can entirely replace a lost tooth even if it has been missing for many years!
How are oral implants fitted?
When you come to our team to have dental implants Richmond fitted, the first thing we will do is check your mouth and jaw.
We will need to assess your jaw for its overall thickness and condition; if we deem it to be too thin to support implants, then we may suggest an alternative, like dentures to restore your teeth.
If we notice any signs of gingival disease or tooth decay, we will need to treat these first before fitting the implants to your jaw.
We will numb the gum and make some incisions in your gum line where we are going to fit the implants; if you have an already vacant socket, we will use that to fit the implant. But if the vacant socket has closed, we will drill a new one.
Fusing
For oral implants to work, they need to fuse with the jaw.
Depending on your age and general health, this process can take anywhere between 3-9 months. If after 12 months of having an implant fitted it does not fuse, then we will consider it a failed implant and look into other options to restore your teeth.
As the implants are made from titanium, your jawbone can grow securely around them, ensuring that they are held firmly in place. We will confirm that this has occurred with x-rays and, only when we are satisfied, will we load the implant with the prosthetic tooth or teeth.
Aftercare
After you have had your oral implants fitted, but before you have the prosthetics loaded, you will need to take care of them.
This will involve not eating spicy food, not smoking cigarettes (as this can cause the gums to become inflamed and thus lose the implant) and not eating hard foods until instructed by our team.
We usually advise our patients to eat healthy foods during this time and to drink lots of water, to speed up the healing process and to keep their immune systems strong.
If you spot signs of infection, such as swelling, discolouration, the presence of pus, or if you become fluish or feel ill, then you need to seek urgent medical attention. Delaying this can lead to life-threatening sepsis, so if you have any concerns about any symptoms you are having, please call us.
Potential complications
There are a few complications that may occur with dental implants Richmond. They may become infected, loose or they may begin to fuse at an unusual angle. If you also notice discomfort in your jaw or around the implant site, you should contact us immediately as this can point to an infection which may lead to you losing the implant. If you have concerns about any of these problems or want advice on your oral implants, feel free to contact us at Sheen Dental.