If you come to us here at Expert Implants for your dental implant surgery, it’s not just about the time spent having the implant fitted. We take you on an implant journey that starts the moment you enquire about treatment, to ongoing aftercare and check-ups for the rest of your days.
There are five stages to receiving dental implants in Southampton:
- Consultation
- Treatment planning
- Implant placement
- Implant restoration
- Aftercare.
Consultation
Our implant dentist will assess whether you are a suitable candidate for implant surgery. Not everyone can have this procedure. Those with low density in their jawbone or active gum disease will need extra treatment before going ahead with dental implants in Southampton. We’ll take x-rays and photographs to assess your oral health and it’s also a chance for you to ask questions and air any concerns you have.
Treatment planning
Thorough treatment planning leads to successful surgery. At this stage we carry out a detailed examination, including photographs, impressions, digital scans and x-rays. This gives our surgeons the information they need to precisely place the implants to avoid blood vessels and nerves.
Implant placement
After the extensive planning, the placement itself is fairly straightforward. Because implants are placed in the jawbone, which has fewer nerve endings than a tooth, it’s likely that you’ll find implant surgery less painful than say, a root canal or filling.
The implant surgeon cuts a flap in the gum and then gently drills into the jaw, creating a channel for the implant, all the while applying water to the bone to keep it from overheating. The gum is closed with dissolvable stitches.
Implant restoration
After the healing period of several weeks, the replacement crown is fitted onto the implant via an abutment. This is a linking section that is screwed into the implant.
Aftercare
Implants can last for decades with proper care. This means diligent brushing and flossing and regular dental check-ups. While the implants and replacement crowns can’t decay, gum disease can still affect the gums around implants and cause them to fail, so it’s vital to maintain a high standard of oral health.
