Are teeth implants safe?

Every surgical procedure comes with risks, but teeth implants have been clinically tested and thousands of people have them worldwide, so, generally speaking, yes, implants are very safe. That said, you should always run though any concerns you have with your surgeon beforehand, and ask them questions regarding health and safety, you don’t want to go into the operation without any information, this will only lead to a stressful and unsafe experience. Problems occur in only a tiny per cent of cases, but it’s a good idea to equip yourself with all the relevant knowledge, to give yourself the best chance at a good outcome.

How safe is the implanting procedure?

Placing dental implants is slightly more invasive than, say, a tooth extraction, simply because the incision has to go right through the tissue to allow the dentist to create a new socket. The procedure comes with a higher risk factor than most other dental treatments because it has a greater surgical element, and it’s not just a case of sewing the wound up and moving along, the implanting procedure is really only the beginning.

The majority of dentists who offer implants will perform the operation under local anaesthetic, where possible, and avoid knocking the patient unconscious. Of course, there are some patients who would prefer to be out cold, but there shouldn’t be any pain at all, and it’s much safer to stay awake and somewhat coherent as the dentist goes to work. Providing general anaesthetic is not ideal, especially with patients who have health problems, such as lung or heart conditions, as there is as chance of suffocation if the mix of gas is not correctly calculated. Don’t worry if you do have to have a general anaesthetic, your surgeon should have an anaesthesiologist present, who can monitor your vital signs and keep you out of harm’s way. That said, it’s unlikely that you will find a dentist who would prefer to use general anaesthetic for placing implants, if the patient is ready to go and has no medical issues that could cause problems – such as previous allergic reactions to anaesthetic, it’s an unnecessary risk to render them unconscious.

The only other complication that could make your treatment more arduous is if you have to have a bone graft before the implanting can begin, this can take months to sufficiently bond with what remains of your natural jaw bone. This process involves taking a sliver of bone from somewhere else in the body – usually the hip bone – and attaching it to the jaw, in order to build a sturdier structure for the teeth implants to sit in. Because this is a type of surgery, you will be under general anaesthetic, in a surgical environment.

How can I avoid problems during the healing period?

The recovery period between appointments can be quite lengthy, sometimes more than six months, which leaves a large window for something to wrong, but you can avoid disaster by simply following your dentist’s instructions and not putting any undue pressure on your implant. Whilst you are waiting for the root to stabilise, your dentist should fit you with a temporary, protective veneer, which looks and acts like natural teeth. The shield is normally made from acrylic resin, but the more expensive ones might be made of porcelain, which means they will last longer in better condition. The purpose of this device is not only to protect the surgical site from food debris and bacteria, it is also to give you some idea of what your new smile might look like, and to keep the teeth functional – which encourages bone growth, and will make the implant bond faster.

During the healing period, you will need to pay particular attention to cleaning; infection is to be avoided at all costs. Your dentist may recommend anti-septic mouthwash, until the wound is fully healed, as this will kill any troublesome bacteria lurking in the mouth after brushing. Take note of any changes in your oral environment, and report any symptoms back to your dentist, they need to know everything if they are going to successfully treat any problems that may arise.

Once the implants are fitted, can I get back to normal?

Eventually, you will become so accustomed to your implants that you won’t remember they are not natural teeth, but during the first few months after you have the synthetic tooth added, you still need to be careful. Just because implants are a revolutionary way of replacing your own teeth, doesn’t mean you can put them at greater risk; they can still break or be knocked out. Look after your teeth, clean them regularly, and make sure you wear protective equipment if you are taking part in contact sports, you don’t want to find yourself back in the surgery, in need of emergency treatment.

What are the chances of problems developing over time?

Successfully fitted implants can last for decades, even lifetimes, with proper care. Luckily, the chance of infection or rejection diminishes as time passes; the root becomes more permanently bonded with the bone, and the gums heal to form an airtight seal around the implant, protecting it from harmful bacteria. Any significant problems are likely to occur in the first six months after implanting, and even then, this will only happen with a miniscule portion of patients. Rejection is a concern, but again, it’s only a very small percentage of implant patients that have to deal with this problem, it’s worth knowing about, but you shouldn’t worry about it too much. Your dentist will go to great lengths to prevent the implant from being rejected, but if the unlikely does occur, there are still options available to you; it’s not the end of the road.

If you think teeth implants could benefit you, speak to a member of the team at the Pearl Dental Clinic, based in London. The highly-qualified team are always on hand to answer any of your questions or to book you a consultation with one of the resident dentists.