It stands to reason that any patient considering dental implants in Richmond or elsewhere in the country is likely to feel anxious, after all surgery is involved in this particular dental treatment and as with any type of surgery there are always potential complications and risks. For this reason alone, it makes sense to visit a reputable dentist who is highly qualified in placing dental implants and does it on a day to day basis. This is certainly not the time to be a guinea pig for a dentist who may have attended little more than a week-end course!
Here at Sheen Dental, Dr Harmit Kalsi is highly qualified and has been successfully carrying out dental implant procedures for a great many years. He will want to know everything about your medical history and discuss any tablets or treatments you may already have to ensure that you are healthy enough to undergo oral surgery. Just as with any oral surgery procedure he needs to know whether you have any bleeding disorders, allergies and infections or existing conditions such as diabetes, so that he can review everything thoroughly prior to making a decision to proceed with the treatment.
Fortunately, the success rate of dental implants is very high and failures that do occur can be the result of an inexperienced dentist positioning the implant incorrectly, damaging the blood vessels, nerves and teeth in the surrounding area, or overloading the implant. Just occasionally a dental implant can fracture if too much pressure is put on it before the healing period has taken place. The major cause of dental implant failure however, is infection and in rare cases infection can be transmitted during the surgery itself, but more often than not it is the failure of the patient to adhere to the after-care procedures given to them by their dentist, or a failure to attend regular check-ups.
Once more, careful planning by an experienced dentist such as Dr Harmit Kalsi can help to avoid these issues and in many cases another attempt to place the implant can be made after sufficient healing time has taken place.
Why after care is so important
Dental implants are at risk of developing an infection known as peri-implantitis where the surrounding bone that holds the implant in place becomes inflamed. If left untreated this can result in the loss of the implant. Routine maintenance care at home and the dental clinic is essential if you are to avoid this from happening. This includes regular brushing and flossing at home to remove particles of food trapped in between the teeth and plaque from forming around the implant. The dentist can use special tools to remove harder deposits of plaque which may be sitting around the implant.
Our hygienists are on hand to show you just how to brush and floss your teeth and improve your oral hygiene prior to having dental implants. In Richmond, here at Sheen Dental we also offer a free consultation where you can meet the dental implant team, raise any concerns and get your questions answered. So why not give us a call on 020 8876 5277 to schedule your appointment or visit our website at www.sheendental.co.uk.