Five Questions to Ask Your Implant Dentist in Oxford

Dental Design

Dental Implants, Oxford

Even losing a single tooth can be a problem for your dental health which is why it is best to replace any missing teeth as soon as you can. While standard solutions such as dental bridges supported by natural teeth and removable partial and full dentures are still widely used, there is a better solution and your dentist may suggest you consider dental implants.

Dental implants are the most advanced solution for restoring missing teeth in Oxford and here at One The Gallery, we use two of the most well-respected implant systems in the world, providing our patients with the very highest quality of care. A dental implant consists of a small titanium alloy screw or post that is surgically inserted into the jawbone where it gradually fuses with the surrounding bone. After 6–12 weeks, the implant post is completely secured within the bone providing an extremely strong anchorage point for a new replacement tooth. Dental implants are extremely versatile and can be used to replace a single tooth or several missing teeth.

As an implant dentist in Oxford, we have the experience and skills required to restore even complete arches of teeth making all your concerns about tooth loss a thing of the past. However, we know many people have questions about dental implant treatment so we’ve outlined five things you should ask before deciding if dental implants are the right choice for you.

1. DO I NEED TO GO TO HOSPITAL TO HAVE MY IMPLANTS PLACED?

The answer to this question is generally no, as the surgery required to place dental implants is relatively straight forward and usually carried out at the practice. Our dental surgeons here at One The Gallery are highly experienced in planning and placing dental implants and will ensure you are kept comfortable at every stage of treatment. However, if you feel anxious or nervous about receiving this treatment then we can discuss using sedation dentistry in the form of intravenous sedation which can also be arranged here at One The Gallery. For more complex cases we can arrange for the treatment to be carried out at the Manor Hospital here in Oxford and you will be under the care of a highly experienced consultant anaesthetist.

Case Study for Dental Implants in Oxford: Read about one patient’s journey from being unable to get to grips with dentures to having dental implants for denture stabilisation. Find out how implant surgery changed this person’s’ life.

2. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR A TOOTH IMPLANT PROCEDURE?

This is a key question patients ask us when wanting to know more about the tooth implant procedure. It only takes around an hour to place a single dental implant (such as in the case of a front tooth implant procedure) while multiple dental implants may take a bit longer. Unlike many other dental practices, we routinely use computer guided surgery when placing dental implants so overall the procedure will be quicker and more comfortable for you.

Tooth implant procedure steps:

Computer guided surgery is planned using your 3D cone beam CT scan to precisely pinpoint optimal positions for each dental implant relevant to where we want the final teeth to be. Once surgery has been planned, a surgical stent is made for use during the procedure, allowing our clinicians to exactly replicate your treatment plan effectively and safely during the actual tooth implant surgery procedure.

3. HOW CAN YOU EXPECT TO FEEL AFTER THE PROCEDURE?

Another question we understandably get asked is ‘will I experience tooth implant procedure pain?’ Dental implants only require a small surgical procedure and it is not uncommon for people who have a single tooth implant procedure to experience little or no discomfort afterwards. Most people will be fine to go back to work the very next day. Our implant dentist in Oxford will give you precise instructions on how to care for your implant sites and how to cope with any discomfort and of course our dental team is here to care for you and to answer any questions.

4. FOR HOW LONG WILL THE IMPLANTS LAST?

Some people have already enjoyed their implants for decades and will even have them for life.Your implant crowns and bridges should provide many years of trouble-free use. However, this does depend on good after-care as it’s important to maintain excellent oral hygiene and to ensure your dental implants are kept meticulously clean to avoid infections. We primarily use the Straumann dental implant system as they produce high-quality components that have undergone extensive clinical research. Using the best quality dental implant components will help improve the longevity of your treatment. Straumann dental implants are used worldwide so if any components need maintaining or replacing then you can rest assured that this is easily done wherever you are.

5. HOW SHOULD I LOOK AFTER MY TEETH ONCE I’VE HAD IMPLANTS PLACED?

When you have dental implants, we will show you exactly how to clean around them and how to care for them. It isn’t difficult to look after dental implants but you must thoroughly brush and floss around them to regularly remove all plaque and food debris. We will work closely with you to ensure you are able to effectively clean around your implant crowns and bridges. Our hygiene team will not only recommend the most suitable brushing tools to clean around your dental implants but will also provide practical demonstrations to make sure you are able to do so at home. Regular checkups and hygiene appointments here at One The Gallery are also extremely important and allow us to professionally clean around your dental implants and implant components as required and to closely monitor their condition.

We believe that the best tooth implant procedure is one in which the patient feels most comfortable and at ease with the people treating them. Our dental practice routinely plans and places dental implants and we often receive referrals from dentists because of our extensive experience and advanced skills. If you are considering dental implants, our implant dentist in Oxford will carefully assess your dental and general health and can discuss this procedure in far more detail. Every step of your treatment will be carefully planned to help ensure success. This meticulous attention to detail extends to your implant supported crowns, bridges or dentures as our specialist prosthodontists will ensure these are fabricated to provide excellent functional and aesthetic results, restoring your smile and your ability to eat in comfort.

To find out more about how we can help you, please contact One The Gallery on 01865 25600 to book your consultation with our friendly dental team.