It’s true that in the last decade, dental implants in Richmond and indeed many other parts of the country have exploded in popularity. This is partly because of the awareness of the long-term benefits that they can bring, and also because of the multitude of clinics that now offer this service. After all, they’re considered to be the most natural looking form of teeth replacement that modern dentistry allows, but are they right for you? Let’s take a look.
Fear factor
The issue is that dental implants aren’t for everyone. Firstly (and unlike any other form of tooth replacement) they require a surgical procedure. Although the procedure itself is pain-free, for those who suffer from any kind of dental anxiety, it might be the catalyst that prevents them from having implants. That said, most dental clinics have a variety of sedation techniques to deal specifically with nervous or anxious patients. Therefore, if you do suffer with dental anxiety, it might be worth speaking to the implant clinic to see how they can help, before you dismiss it completely.
Bone grafting
For any long-term denture wearers or those who have suffered with missing teeth, there’s a strong chance that they will have incurred a loss of bone. This is a natural process that happens over a period of time when a tooth is lost. The issue is that for a dental implant to be successful, it has to be placed into sufficient or healthy bone. The good news is that it doesn’t mean that those with missing bone aren’t eligible. Instead they might have to go through a bone grafting procedure which builds up the bone around the area before an implant can be successfully attached. The downside is that it’s another surgical process that adds time, cost and inconvenience to the overall procedure, so potential patients will need to consider whether the above outweighs the chance to have great looking permanent teeth that should last for many years to come.
Smokers
If you smoke, then you’ll need to make some sacrifices in order to undergo treatment for a dental implant in Richmond. More often than not this means quitting. Smoking can cause problems to newly placed dental implants and this is why some dental surgeons won’t place implants into those who continue to smoke. The bottom line is that if you don’t think that you can quit (at least for the duration of the process and the recovery period, usually 6-9 months) then there are other non-surgical tooth replacement methods that are better suited.
Cost
Finally there’s no getting away from the fact that dental implants are initially more expensive, especially when you compare them to other forms of tooth replacement. However if you look at the long-term, a well-fitting dental implant that’s been looked after can last 2-5 times as long as any other form of tooth replacement and in some respects this can be a lifetime. Therefore when it comes to value for money, there really is nothing better.
If you lead a relatively healthy lifestyle and have no underlying oral or medical problems, then dental implants in Richmond can and have changed lives. If you are curious, then contact Sheen Dental on 020 8876 5277 and book yourself a free, no-obligation consultation. Here you can get all your questions and concerns answered, enabling you to make a truly informed dental decision. Alternatively, why not visit our website at www.sheendental.co.uk where you can find a wealth of information to help.