With the new year in full swing, you’ve likely curated a list of a couple of things you’d like to achieve this year.
Like thousands of others, you might have vowed to stick to healthy eating habits or decided to put your monthly gym membership to good use. Maybe 2023 is the year you finally take back control of your smile.
Dental implants are one of many ways you can achieve your dream set of pearly whites, and many patients are starting to favour implants over traditional dentures, crowns, and bridges.
But what exactly does the process of getting dental implants involve?
In this post, our implant experts here at Revitalise Dental Centre take you through the procedure step by step so that you know what to expect when you get dental implants in Cornwall.
Step 1: Initial consultation
The first, and one of the most important steps, is your initial consultation.
It gives you the opportunity to meet our team, explore our facility, and discuss your treatment options in depth with a professional who will help you determine whether or not dental implants are the best option for you.
You’ll also have a chance to voice any concerns and ask questions you may have about the procedure, the recovery process, and the aftercare requirements.
There’s no obligation at this stage, so don’t worry if you change your mind. However, should you wish to proceed, we’ll provide you with a detailed itinerary and ask you to sign a consent form before we go ahead and prep your mouth for implants.
Step 2: Treatment plans and clinical assessments
After your consultation, we’ll arrange for you to see our expert implantologist, Dr A Watts.
During this appointment, radiographic images will be taken of your jawbone to check the condition of the site and make sure there’s enough bone density to support the implant. It will also help identify nearby blood vessels and nerves.
In some cases, we’ll also recommend having a CBCT scan to help us understand exactly how much bone you have.
Some patients whose jawbone isn’t strong or thick enough will need to go through a bone graft or sinus lift process to ensure that they have enough bone to accommodate the implant. If this is the case, the process will take a little longer, but it’s worth it in the long run.
For others, though, implants aren’t a viable option, so we’ll have to discuss alternative treatment options.
Step 3: Positioning and placing the implant
Once we’ve walked you through treatment plans and completed our assessments, we’ll position and place your dental implant.
First, we’ll numb the implant area and remove some gum tissue to expose your bone underneath.
We’ll then go ahead and drill a small hole – using alignment pins to ensure the angle and position will accommodate the implant screw.
Finally, this is where we’ll insert the implant screw.
Your gum will be closed with stitches once the process is complete, but not all patients need them.
Your new teeth could be restored the same day, but nine times out of ten, your bone and gums will need a little time to heal before the abutment (the connector piece between your implant and artificial tooth) can be attached. This is usually within ten days.
This means that you might have a visible gap whilst your implant heals – but we can fit a temporary implant cap to disguise them if it bothers you.
We understand that this part of the procedure can sound daunting, especially for already nervous patients. But don’t worry.
With the local anaesthetic our implantologists use, the process is relatively pain-free. You might feel some pressure or mild discomfort, but it shouldn’t hurt at all.
Step 4: Recovery and aftercare
Typically, patients begin to see significant improvements within a week of treatment, with their gums fully healed within two.
At this point, we’ll invite you back to our clinic for a follow-up appointment, to check everything is as it should be.
During your appointment, we’ll further explain how to care for your implants to keep them healthy and ensure their longevity, as well as schedule future appointments so that we can monitor your oral health appropriately.
Ready to transform your smile?
There’s no denying that a perfect set of pearly whites can totally transform how we feel about ourselves – and dental implants are the ideal way to go about it.
Looking for a dentist that can fit dental implants in Cornwall? Consider us your go-to team here at Revitalise Dental Centre.
To book a consultation or find out more about dental implants and their benefits, get in touch with our experts today!
Call 01872 555 911 to chat with us directly, or email us at [email protected], and we’ll be in touch.
