If you have had an accident which has resulted in a missing tooth, and you are worried and/or nervous about getting dental treatment to provide a solution, why not visit our dental practice, David Madruga. Based in Marylebone, our dental professionals can advise you on the most suitable options to help restore your smile, whether it is because you have lost your tooth due to an accident, or even if it’s down to the erosion of tooth enamel. One of our available treatments to replace a missing tooth and/or teeth are dental implants.
If you have not visited a dentist for a number of years and are particularly nervous, at David Madruga, we provide services to ensure that our nervous dental implant patients in Marylebone are satisfied with the results and that their experience with us is a positive one.
What are dental implants?
Considered a replacement tooth root, dental implants are small screws which are usually made out of titanium. They are placed in the jawbone, where there should be a tooth, and provide a stable foundation for a replacement tooth to be fixed onto. These replacement teeth are made to match the shape and shade of the rest of your teeth, ensuring that they look natural and do not ‘stand out’.
Dental implants – The process
As mentioned earlier, dental implants are small titanium posts that are placed directly into the jawbone. This process can take several months to complete and can require more than one surgical procedure. Usually under a local anaesthetic, our oral surgeon makes a small incision in the gum which exposes the bone. A hole is then drilled into the bone which will be where the dental implant will be placed. This will be drilled deep into the bone to ensure that it is secure and sturdy for the replacement tooth.
Before the permanent tooth is fixed on to the metal screw, the jaw bone needs to have fused with the surface of the implant. That way, it provides a solid base for the replacement tooth. As this part of the process can take several months, a temporary tooth is placed in the gap while the jawbone fuses with the top of the implant. It is only when the gum is healed that an impression will be taken of your remaining teeth, which will then be used to make the permanent implant crown.
Once made, the replacement tooth will be placed under sterile conditions.
Although this is done under local anaesthetic in most cases, for our nervous dental implant patients in Marylebone, there is an option to have this dental treatment done under sedation. This will mean that you will be awake but unable to feel anything during the treatment.
Aftercare
Although this procedure should not be a painful one, occasionally, some of our patients experience mild to moderate pain days after the surgery. If this is the case, it is recommended that you take an over the counter pain relief medication, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.
After you have had your implants fitted, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing. This way your implants can last many years.
So if you are considering dental implants but feel a bit worried about the process, Dr David Madruga provides a great dental experience which leaves all nervous dental implant patients in Marylebone feeling confident and happy with their new smile.
Can everyone get dental implants?
For our patients here at David Madruga, we offer conscious sedation for stress-free treatment. We don’t believe in letting any fear or phobia of having dental treatment prevent you from having the relevant treatment in order to achieve your best smile!
There are a number of ways that you can manage this, but one we recommend you look into is Implants. Here’s a few key facts about them to help clear a few things up.
How does it work?
How quickly ??!
Dental implants are made of titanium, a strong, lightweight material that does not rust or corrode. The porcelain crowns cannot decay. But there is one mortal enemy of dental implants and that is gum disease. Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque, which gives off acids that attack the gums and then the bone underneath the gums if it is left uncontrolled.
This is because they give better chewing power without compromising any other remaining teeth. They will never slip or slide in the mouth and people can relax, knowing that their replacement teeth will look and behave exactly as their natural teeth did.
The best way to avoid having to have any dental treatment is to turn up to twice-yearly check-ups and make sure you also get your twice-yearly deep cleans with the hygienist.
But start to lose your teeth and you soon find out. Lose most or all of them and, even if you have dentures, these simple and important tasks can become unbearable. You may find yourself turning down dinner invitations because you don’t want to try crunchy or chewy foods. You may find yourself smiling with lips tightly shut, if at all, and as for bursting out laughing, forget it. There is so much fundamental pleasure tied up with eating and yawning, laughing and chatting, that when you’re more worried about making a twit of yourself because of your teeth, pleasure and confidence drain away.