A guide to oral implants from our dentist in Glasgow

Dental implants are all the rage when it comes to tooth replacement options, and our dental team at Buttercup 7 Day Dental understands why. But do you? Below, our dentist in Glasgow answers some of the more commonly asked questions on dental implants.

What are oral implants?

Oral or dental implants are titanium screws that can be inserted into the jaw bone to create an artificial root for a prosthetic tooth. Once the small screws are drilled into the jaw, the surrounding bone regenerates and fuses the screw into place, creating a sturdy and long-lasting artificial root.

Suitability

Although in an ideal world, we would simply select a procedure, and hey presto, the job would be done, in reality, there are stages to work through before undergoing a procedure or treatment. When it comes to dental implants, this is no different, which is why your first appointment with our dentist in Glasgow will be a consultation appointment.

During the consultation, our dentist in Glasgow will conduct a physical examination of your teeth, mouth and gums alongside digital scans and, in some cases, x-rays. This in-depth process not only enables you to ask any lingering questions but also allows our dental team to ensure your oral health and bone depth are sufficient enough for oral implants.

Attending the fitting

Once the consultation process has addressed the suitability side of the procedure, should you be going ahead, our dental team will begin the procedure. A small incision will be made on your gums after it has been anaesthetised, and then using a dental drill, the small screw will be inserted into the bone. For those who have recently had a tooth extracted, the original hole may still be in good shape, so the screw may be inserted into this rather than a new hole. Either way, once the implant is in place, the area will be sewn up and left to heal for several weeks.

The healing process

Once the implant is in place and begins to act as the artificial root, a temporary tooth replacement may be attached whilst the area heals. The healing process can take several weeks, if not more, as the healing process requires the jaw bone to regenerate and fuse the implant into its new position. During this time, it is recommended that softer foods are eaten and regular salt water washes are carried out each day. When sufficient healing has taken place, as decided upon by our dentist, the new tooth or set of teeth can be attached and secured into place restoring your smile to its full potential.

The aftercare process

One of the highlights of having oral implants is that once the artificial root is firmly in place and the permanent tooth is attached, the cleaning process becomes easy. As with your natural teeth, all that is required in the weeks, months and years following your procedure is your twice-daily brush and floss, ensuring that you keep on top of the process and visit our dental practice for regular appointments.