How Successful Are Dental Implants?

Can Anyone Get Dental Implants?

If your goal is to replace a missing tooth, achieve an attractive, gleaming smile and eliminate oral imperfections – then dental implants are an unbeatable solution.

What is a dental implant?

Dental implants are titanium screws that surgically inserted into the jaw bone to support an artificial tooth.

When the post has been securely placed, your dentist will attach a replacement tooth (crown) onto the post – this is known as an implant.

Typically, if positioned by an expert, dental implants have an extremely high success rate. This is just one of the many benefits.

However, this doesn’t mean implant failure is not a possibility. Around 5-10% of dental implants can fail and this can happen right after the procedure, or months or years later. Premium implants operate just like normal teeth and therefore depend on quality aftercare.

If an implant does not succeed it can be down to a number of factors such as underlying conditions such as peri-implantitis, bad oral habits, infection or bone loss.

Signs of implant failure:

• Difficulty chewing
• Inflammation of the gums
• Loosening of the implant
• Severe pain or sores

It is important that patients are aware of their own responsibility in ensuring the implant is successful – it is vital that you care for your implant appropriately in order to ensure its strength and longevity.

What can contribute to dental implant failure?

Although the risk rate is low, some points which can increase the likelihood that the implant will not work are:

• Unhealthy gums – before carrying out the procedure, your dentist will evaluate the overall health of your teeth and gums to ensure your mouth is healthy enough to allow the implant to heal effectively and last as long as possible. For example, if you have gum disease we will not carry out the treatment.
• Insufficient jaw bone – it is necessary you have enough bone to support the implant. If there is a lack of healthy bone to attach the implant then the dentist will not be able to insert the implant and so another solution will have to be discovered.
• Smoking – like all aspects of your health, smoking has a detrimental effect. Smoking restricts the amount of blood flowing to your gums, so can slow down/negatively impact the healing process if you do get an implant.
• Poor oral hygiene – this is where you play your part. Conscious care for your teeth is vital if you want the procedure to work. Your dentist will provide you with all of the advice you need to best care for your new implant.
• An unexperienced dental surgeon – if the doctor does not carry out the procedure properly you will be left at risk. Make sure to choose an accredited dentist when you are deciding where to have your treatment. Some indicators of a dentist’s reliability are the before and after pictures of previous patients and whether or not the dentist is accredited with the BACS for example. Meet our team.

Who are dental implants suitable for?

Generally, our dental staff will carry out a thorough checkup before deciding whether you are a suitable candidate to have the procedure.

In most cases, dental implants are suitable for all adults with healthy teeth and gums. The treatment is not suitable for children under the age of 18 because the jaw bone is not fully developed.

Additional requirements include patients having enough bone available so that the surgery will work, committing to regular dental checkups to ensure everything is working effectively, and committing to an exceptional oral hygiene routine.

What are the risks?

Like any procedure, there are some risks involved. If the procedure is successful, some complications may occur later down the line. This can include:

Nerve/tissue damage

This would be down to a dental surgeon’s mistake, so it is important to ensure you are having your treatment carried out by an experienced and reliable dentist.

Nerve or tissue damage occurs when a dentist inserts the implant too close to the nerve.

Although it is rare, sometimes the mouth can reject the implant meaning it will not heal properly. If you experience fever, swelling around the area or chills then you should contact your dentist immediately.

If you fall or endure an injury that affects your mouth, the implant may become loosened.

What are the advantages?

Despite these risk factors, if you are a suitable candidate for the treatment, your treatment is carried out by an experienced, reliable dentist, and you care for your implant well post-operation, you can enjoy some of the following benefits of the implant:

• Durable – can last for over 25 years if cared for correctly
• Natural appearance – designed and manufactured to fit seamlessly into your smile
• Improved confidence and self-esteem
• Easy maintenance
• Can improve teeth functionality
• Can increase self-esteem
• Short procedure time
• Convenient as you don’t have to remove them
• High success/effectiveness rate

Interested in having your treatment at The Gentle Dental?

We are proud to be one of Surrey’s most trustworthy and reliable dental practices, providing optimum care and treatment to patients both new and loyal.

Our clinic is well-known throughout the community as we accept patients from Cobham, Epsom, Esher, Hampton and surrounding towns.

We have a vast amount of experience with dental implants and can promise the highest level of expertise when it comes to your treatment.

We have an impressive team of qualified and experienced dentists, our principal dentist Dr Ali Rifai graduated from Barts and the Royal London hospital in London and is an accredited member of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentists (BACD) and a member of the Association of Dental Implantology.

He has completed a Master Degree in Clinical Dentistry with a focus on Implant Dentistry. He continues to learn new techniques and procedures at many prestigious institutions globally, in Europe, USA and Asia. He has placed several hundred implants in his career.

This means our practice and techniques are fully informed by the latest research in the dentistry field, and we are always at the forefront of new methods and technologies.

Call us on 020 8224 7562 or click here to book an appointment online.

Read more:

• The guide to getting an implant
• The many benefits of dental implants
• How to look after dental implants
• Paying for implants