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1.
Consultation and Treatment Planning
The cost of treatment varies depending on the complexity of the treatment and on the materials required. A consultation with a good implant dentist is often the best way to find out how much treatment would cost. This is determined by the number of implants indicated, the need for additional procedures to regenerate bone, and the type of prosthesis that will be used to restore the implants.
As each individual’s body and jaw is unique, you will need a bespoke treatment plan that takes into account your medical, anatomical, functional and social variances. This is impossible to produce without an in depth examination and discussion.
A good implant dentist will talk you through all of your options (including those that do not involve dental implants), provide their professional recommendations and explain the reasons behind them. Following this process, and further investigations such as x-rays and jaw scans, you will receive a cost estimate that is tailored to your particular circumstances.
In order to assess your suitability for dental implants and to provide you with a treatment estimate, we have to understand your expectations and circumstances. The success and price of treatment is dependent on many variables and as well as discussing the alternative options, we need to decide whether you are a suitable candidate for treatment.
Full arch dental implants
2.
Dental Implant Placement
Dental implants are inserted into the jaw bone under local anaesthetic so the procedure is not painful.
Just like with any other dental procedure, local anaesthetic takes away any painful sensation for a number of hours so that you can comfortably undergo the procedure without the risks that are carried by the use of general anaesthetics (where you are not conscious).
Following the procedure, it is normal to experience some discomfort for 2-3 days after which symptoms should begin to resolve. In this time, you should carefully follow postoperative instructions to ensure quick and uneventful healing.
Over-the-counter painkillers (analgesics) are often recommended and are sufficient to get you through this period comfortably. After a few days, and from thereon in, you will feel no sensation from your implant.
3.
Review
It is normal to experience some discomfort for up to 10 days following the implant placement procedure. After 2 weeks we will arrange a review appointment so that we can check on the healing, make adjustments to temporary prostheses and remove your stitches. We will provide you with extensive instructions on how to help your mouth to heal in this two week period, and after this appointment you will be able to go back to living as normal. If you have any concerns or problems before the review appointment, we would of course be happy to see you to check on you in the interim. Please do feel free to contact us.
4.
The Healing Period
Once your bone has grown on to the implant (a process called osseointegration) the risk of complications when attaching teeth to the implants (referred to as ‘loading’) decreases. It is possible to attach restorations to your implant before this process is completed, but this will increase the risk of complications or failure. The gold standard and best way to ensure that your dental implants integrate into the jaw bone successfully is to wait for a minimum of 8 weeks before making a custom restoration. In the meantime, another type of temporary restoration (such as such a denture or bridge) can be used to fill the gap so that you can smile. We will tailor the healing period to your particular circumstances and explain this to you once you have had an implant consultation.
5.
The Restoration Period
Following the healing period, typically 2-3 months, we will bring you in to evaluate the success of your implant surgery. Implant integration success rates in healthy non-smoking patients is in excess of 95% and it is at this stage that we are able to confirm whether your implants have integrated successfully. This may involve numbing the area with local anaesthetic before uncovering the implant and checking that it has successfully integrated.
At this stage we often take an impression of your top and bottom teeth, a record of your bite and some photos for the laboratory to use to give your final teeth a perfect finish. If you are having more than three teeth on implants then it is often necessary to bring you in for further measurements, maybe a few times, approximately 3 weeks apart. However with 3 or fewer teeth, it may be at the next appointment that we fit your final prothesis.
The restoration will feel similar to your natural teeth. It may feel different when first attached to your implant but you will quickly become used to the shape, size and texture of your prosthesis.
6.
Maintenance
Dental implants can last forever but this is not always the case. It is best to make your decision on the assumption that you will need some form of maintenance of your implant and restoration in your lifetime – the younger you are, the more likely this will be.
Complications related to dental implants can be categorised as short and long term, and biological or mechanical.
In the short run, it takes a few months for your body to grow bone onto the implant surface – a process known as osseointegration. The success rate is excellent, in excess of 95% if certain protocols are followed.
In the long run, biological problems can cause the development of gum disease around your implant. This is more likely to happen if you smoke, have gum disease (periodontitis), do not clean your implants thoroughly and regularly (with toothbrushes and interdental brushes), do not visit your dentist and hygienist regularly or have certain medical conditions (for example diabetes).
Mechanical complications can lead to chipping, staining and wear of your restoration. Over time, as with anything manmade, more extensive maintenance may be needed, such as replacing the crown/bridge/denture. Dentures are often cheaper than ceramic restorations such as crowns and bridge, but the softer materials will need replacing more frequently.
If the implant under the gum is healthy, then replacing the restoration on top is normally straightforward but can be costly and should be factored into your decision.
Cleaning your teeth and implants well attending appointments regularly are the key to maximising the chances of long term success of your implants. We normally recommend quarterly hygiene visits and biannual dental check ups, however we will tailor this to your particular needs.
Still have a question?
Contact us at North Cardiff and Dental Implants on 029 2267 9999 to find out more about any of our treatments or book a consultation with one of our experienced clinicians.
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