Dental implants have become increasingly popular due to their reliability, design, and ability to transform lives. With a 95% success rate, they are designed to replace missing, damaged, or decaying teeth, greatly enhancing one’s smile and self-esteem.
They are also indispensable in enabling you to have a fulfilling life unrestricted by damaged teeth.
Dental implants are considered the Gold standard in cosmetic and surgical dentistry. They are a safe and long-lasting solution to your dental problems. Their design consists of a titanium fixture that is placed into the bone, replacing the root canal of the tooth. On top of the fixture is placed a permanent restoration, which is completed by a dental crown.
Dental implants are extremely reliable and can last a lifetime. That is the reason why more and more people prefer to have a dental implant fixed. Berkeley Clinic offer some of the best orthodontist services in Glasgow and can provide quality dental implants to Glasgow residents.
We are well-aware that the process of getting a dental implant fitted could appear difficult to understand and quite overwhelming. That is why we created a short overview of what the procedure involves. If you are looking for dental implants Glasgow orthodontists can offer, then Berkeley Clinic is the place to go. These are the 7 simple steps involved in getting a dental implant fitted with us.
Step 1: Planning
The first step to getting a dental implant is planning. This involves a consultation with a dentist who is going to evaluate your general health and the local health of your teeth and jaw. There are some conditions which can lower the chances of success of the implant. These include poor oral hygiene, heavy smoking, diabetes, gum diseases, long term steroid use, osteoporosis and others. All these affect the gums condition and the jaw bones. A consultation with a dentist is required to assess whether a dental implant is the most suitable solution for you.
Step 2: CT or CAT scan
Next step is getting a CT or CAT scan. This enables the dentist to plan the procedure in great detail and find the optimal positioning of the dental implant. This is very important to reduce the chance of failure as the implant needs to be well positioned to handle the pressure it will be exposed to. The CT or CAT scan is used to get a scan of the jaws and any existing dentures. This data is then entered into a CAD/CAM software that helps to plan the surgery. In complex surgeries the CT scanning helps to identify and avoid damaging vital structures which helps ensure the safety of the patient.
Step 3: The Surgery
Most dental implants are placed following the same procedure. First the soft tissue is reflected. This involves making an incision over the crest of the bone and splitting the attached gingiva in half to ensure that the dental implant will have a thick band of tissue around it.
The edges of the tissue are pushed back to expose the bone. Next part of the procedure is drilling. This involves the use of a surgical guide or stent with which pilot holes are placed. These are drilled with regulated high speed and with high precision to avoid pressure necrosis and burning of the bone. Next step involves drilling at a low speed and is used to expand the pilot hole.
Different size drills are use depending on the width and length of the implant. The procedure is done with a sedative and the patient does not experience pain. After this, the dental implant is placed. It is screwed in the bone with a precise torque. Final step of the surgery is the tissue adaptation with the gingiva adapted around the dental implant and providing a band of tissue around the healing abutment.
Step 4: Timing
There are a few variations regarding fitting implants after the extraction of the teeth. The first one is Immediate post-extraction implant placement which is done right after the tooth has been removed. The second is Delayed immediate post-extraction implant placement and takes place 2 weeks to 3 months after the extraction. The last one is called late implantation and is done 3 months or more after the tooth is removed.
Step 5: Healing
The dental implant needs time to become permanently stable. This procedure involves the body growing bone to the surface of the implant, a process called osseointegration. The time allowed for healing depends on the density of the bone and the number of implants splinted together and will be specific for the individual patient.
Step 6: Recovery
Next step involves securing dental crowns on the implant fixture. This phase begins once the implant has been well integrated and an abutment is placed. There are three main types of procedures when attaching the teeth and dental crowns to the dental implant depending on the timing.
First option is immediate loading procedure taking place right after the fitting of the implant. Second option is early loading, which is done 1 week to 12 weeks after the implant fitting. And last option is delayed loading which is done after more than 3 months after fitting the implant. In many cases the dentist may place a temporary teeth until the osseointegration has been confirmed.
An abutment will be selected according to the individual case and application. Very often a custom one will be made. This is done by a dental lab that fabricates both the abutment and the crown.
Step 7: Maintenance
After the procedure of fitting the dental implant is completed the last step is maintenance. The dental implant needs to be cleaned regularly to remove plaque. It should be noted that the implants will lose bone in a similar rate to natural teeth in the mouth and that porcelain crowns could discolour, fracture or require repair approximately every 10 years. However this time will differ according to the position of the crown in the mouth and the forces applied on it. General oral hygiene rules like cleaning you teeth twice a day and flossing apply. You should also visit your dentist every 3 to 6 month for regular cleaning. Ensure that your dentist has experience and the necessary equipment for dental implants maintenance. It is also your dentist who can recommend suitable cleaning options. If you take proper care of your dental implants they can last a lifetime.
Berkeley Clinic – Dental Implants Glasgow
Looking for a place to get dental implants fitted? Then Berkeley Clinic Glasgow is the dental clinic you need. We are an award winning cosmetic dentistry in Glasgow that offers a variety of dental treatments to meet the needs of our patients. We provide quality dental implants, painless procedures and extensive care and maintenance after fitting. We can take you through all steps involved in fitting a dental implant and provide you with guidance on how to care and maintain it to preserve it for as long as possible. Contact us today and get your dream smile.
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