Some people are concerned about having dental implants as the process does involve a small surgical procedure that is necessary to insert the implant post into the jawbone. This can lead quite a few people to think they may not be suitable for surgery, especially if they are a little older. In fact most people will be suitable for dental implants in Basingstoke, but this is one of the things you’ll discover during your initial dental consultation.
What to Expect during Your Consultation
Your dentist will want to examine your mouth as it is important not to have any existing dental diseases prior to surgery. Your mouth needs to be as healthy as possible. You’ll also be asked a few questions about your general medical health, including any medications you may be taking. It’s important you’re in reasonably good health, and do not have any diseases that could affect the success of treatment. These include any diseases that impact your immune system, such as uncontrolled diabetes, as this will make it more difficult for your gums to heal after surgery. If you are a diabetic but have well-controlled blood sugar levels, it’s still worth inquiring about dental implants as it’s possible your dentist may agree you’re a good candidate.
Another thing that can significantly impact the chances of implant success is smoking. Be prepared to quit, at least for the duration of treatment and preferably for good. Smoking is not good for oral health, and in particular for dental implants as it makes it far harder for your gums to heal properly. In addition smokers are far more likely to develop gum disease, negatively affecting the chances of implant success.
If your dentist thinks dental implants will be successful, the next step is to have some diagnostic tests.
Dental X-Rays and CT Scans
It will be necessary for your dentist to take dental x-rays, and you’ll also need to have a CT scan which can conveniently be carried out in the dental surgery. A CT scan gives a very detailed 3-D image of your jaw and is essential for helping your dentist in Basingstoke diagnose any problems, and it also aids implant planning. Your CT scan will show your dentist if you have sufficient bone in your jaw as conventional dental implants need to be surrounded with several millimetres of healthy bone. This ensures the implant post is held firmly in position and is strong enough to support a restoration. In addition, a CT scan identifies the location of structures such as nerves, sinus cavities and blood vessels that must all be avoided during implant placement. Your CT scan is used by your dentist to accurately plan surgery before it takes place, and helps ensure your implant is a complete success.
The procedure for planning dental implants is quite lengthy as it’s an extremely important stage of your treatment. Accurate planning, using the best and most accurate diagnostic tools available, ensures your implant looks and feels entirely natural, and will function properly.