Do you want to have oral implants fitted but have some questions?
At Quest Dental Care, we know all there is to know about dental implants in Ipswich and will be happy to discuss your suitability and answer any questions you have at our surgery.
To save a bit of time, here our team answers 5 FAQs that we receive about dental implants in Ipswich. Enjoy!
Does it hurt to have oral implants fitted?
During the fitting of dental implants in Ipswich, our team will ensure that your mouth is numbed, so you won’t feel a thing.
Once at home, you may feel soreness around the implant site and pressure; this is normal and should subside on its own given enough time. If you are concerned about the level of discomfort you are experiencing after having oral implants fitted, please talk to our team.
Is the aftercare difficult?
In general, caring for oral implants after they have been fitted is quite straightforward.
Try to keep the site clean by using salt water as often as required and, while it may seem contradictory, do not brush it with a toothbrush until we say it is OK, as this can further the irritation.
Eat soft, healthy foods and stay hydrated, as this will promote faster healing. Take pain relief as and when it is needed; we recommend using paracetamol to manage discomfort, as ibuprofen and aspirin can thin the blood and worsen bruising.
For more tips on aftercare of oral implants, talk to our team.
How long before the implant fuses and heals?
The implant site itself can take up to 2 weeks to heal, and this should be promoted with the consumption of softer, healthy foods and drinking water. To keep the site clean, you should rinse it with salt water until our team determines that it is adequately healed to clean with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Concerning fusing of the implant, that can take up to 6 months, potentially longer if you are older or have an underlying health issue. If it gets to 12 months and the implants haven’t fused to your jaw, our team will deem the implant fitting a failure and will remove it.
Once the implant has fused, we will move on to attaching the prosthetic tooth or teeth.
Can I smoke with oral implants?
While we cannot stop you from smoking with oral implants, we don’t advise it.
This is because smoking exposes your mouth and gums to a long list of carcinogens and has also been linked to inflamed gums.
Inflamed gums are one of the key signs of gum disease, which can cause you to lose your oral implants. Hence why we do not recommend consuming cigarettes after an oral implant fitting.
How long will they last?
This will depend on how well they are looked after and if you have any underlying health issues.
For instance, if you maintain good oral hygiene, see our team every 6 months for check-ups and refrain from activities such as smoking cigarettes or drinking lots of alcohol, then it is highly likely that your implants will last up to and over 15 years.
But, as mentioned before, certain health issues may shorten this, so if you have osteoporosis, an autoimmune disease or diabetes, please talk to our team about long term restorative options.
