Whether you undergo surgery for dental implants in Richmond or indeed anywhere else in the UK, the success or failure of the implantation process doesn’t rely solely on the skill of the dentist alone. There are also underlying factors that may either help or impede the whole process. Even though between 90% and 95% of all dental implant procedures carried out in the UK are successful, one of the biggest causes of implant failure is post surgery infections. However, this is also one of the easiest to control. Let’s take a look at what you can do to minimise the issue.
Make sure you go to an experienced clinic
One of the biggest problems is that many people seek cheap dental implants and while there are a number of clinics both in the UK and abroad offering this service, it can sometimes come with risk. Implants by their very nature are expensive, both because of the cost of the materials used to produce them and also the skill and experience of the dentists needed to fit them. Therefore it stands to reason that when you’re paying for cheap implants (sometimes as much as a quarter of the price that they should be) then you may be compromising on either the experience of the dentist fitting them, or worse still, the quality of the implant itself.
One of the main reasons (amongst many others) that titanium is used in the implant process is because of its anti-allergenic properties. Pure titanium allergies are extremely rare and are therefore the best type of implants for preventing infections. However in some cases cheap dental implants can also contain other lower grade materials which could lead to an infection. So choose an experienced clinic who use only high quality, tried and tested implants.
Stop smoking
If you go to any reputable dental implant clinic in the UK, there’s a strong chance that if you smoke, then you won’t be able to undergo the implantation process. This is because smoking not only drastically slows down the recovery process, but it’s also known to make you more prone to developing bacteria which can in turn lead to infection. For this reason it is suggested that if you want to experience a successful outcome with no issues, then you really do need to quit smoking! For the many people who simply can’t quit, it’s suggested that cessation needs to take place prior to the surgical procedure and throughout the entire recovery period (normally 3-9 months) to ensure the best possible chances of implant success.
Closely follow all post operative care procedures
Much of the success or failure of dental implants is down to the patient themselves. Bacteria and infection is often at it’s most prevalent within the early days after implantation has taken place. Because of this clinics will give the patient a detailed list of post operative care procedures. This should be followed to the letter and may include oral hygiene practice such as regular brushing and flossing and gargling with antiseptic mouthwashes.
Post operative infections really should be nothing to worry about provided you heed the advice given above. If you require any further information on how you can prevent infection then contact Sheen Dental Today. We’ve been fitting dental implants in Richmond for many years and as such understand the importance that the patient plays in their own recovery process. Why not give us a call on 020 8876 5277 or visit our website at www.sheendental.co.uk for your free no-obligation consultation today.