Fitting dental implants involves drilling into the part of the jawbone where the tooth is missing, and placing there the titanium screw which will form the artificial root of your prosthetic tooth. It might sound painful, but don’t worry! – the team at Harwood Dental Practice always use a local anaesthetic when performing this part of the treatment! If, however, you are a particularly nervous patient, we can offer dental sedation to ensure you are as comfortable as possible throughout the procedure. But rest assured – dental implants are a minor surgical procedure that has been performed for many years with an excellent success rate.
There are very rarely problems associated with this treatment, and they can boast a success rate of 98%. In rare circumstances, however, some of the problems that can sometimes occur with dental implants are:
Peri–implantitis – this is the destructive inflammatory process that occasionally affects the soft and hard tissues surrounding dental implants. The best way to prevent peri-implantitis is to maintain a good oral health care regime, and to visit the dental hygienist regularly after your implants have been placed. You should also avoid smoking as this can increase the risk of peri-implantitis developing.
Pain after the implants have been placed – a small level of discomfort is not unusual in the first couple of weeks following dental implant treatment, and can be managed with inexpensive, over-the-counter painkillers. If the pain continues after this point or increases in severity, however, please contact us as soon possible, as this may signify an underlying problem. Discomfort after implant placement is normal – excessive pain is not.
Dental implants are designed to be a long-term solution for missing teeth. With proper care, the implant itself—the titanium root placed in the jawbone—can last several decades or even a lifetime. The visible part, such as the crown or bridge attached to the implant, may need replacement after 10–15 years due to normal wear and tear.
To ensure your implants last as long as possible, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene, attend regular dental check-ups, and avoid habits like smoking or teeth grinding that can compromise their longevity.
With high-quality implant systems and consistent care, dental implants offer both durability and natural-looking results.
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Most adults can be suitable candidates for dental implants, regardless of age. There’s no upper age limit, but certain conditions need to be met for treatment to be successful. Your mouth and gums must be healthy, and you need to have enough bone in your jaw to support the implant.
In some cases, additional procedures such as bone grafting may be required to prepare the area. Factors like smoking, unmanaged medical conditions, or poor oral hygiene can affect your suitability. A thorough consultation, including scans and assessments, will help determine whether implants are the right option for you.
Dental implants are not specifically designed to lift or change the shape of your face, but they can help restore and support your natural facial structure. When teeth are lost, the jawbone can shrink over time due to lack of stimulation, which may cause the face to appear sunken or aged.
By replacing missing tooth roots, implants help preserve bone density and prevent further bone loss. This can result in a fuller, more youthful facial appearance, particularly around the cheeks and jawline, though the effect is subtle and restorative rather than cosmetic.
