Dental Implants In Manchester – How to Overcome Complications

23 April 2018

Dental Implants In Manchester – How to Overcome Complications

When it comes to replacement options for missing teeth, dental implants in Manchester are the gold standard. In fact, they’re life changing! Even for people who have lost teeth and had them replaced with conventional bridges, they may find they have underlying issues later on in life. And while it’s true those issues might not be functional in comparison to dentures, weakened supporting teeth can cause problems in the future. For these reasons you might need to visit a specialist Poynton dentist or a private dentist in Manchester who can help.

The good news is that dental implants can overcome most of these problems and are ultimately the best long-term method of replacing teeth. Studies show that while traditional crowns and bridges have a 15-20% failure rate over 10 years, dental implants during that same time period have a failure rate of around 2%. What’s more, long-term data would suggest that after say 15-20 years, that difference would be even greater.

That said, despite the fact that just 2% of implants fail, it isn’t much consolation if you happen to be in that 2%. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at what causes a dental implant in Manchester to fail and what can you or your private dentist in Manchester do to maximise any chances of success.

In order to get to the bottom of this, it’s best to separate failures into short-term and long-term

Firstly short-term complications…
Complications that arise in the short term are described as failures that occur in the period before patients receive their permanent crowns. This could either be immediately after initial surgery or in the interim months while awaiting bone integration.

Infection and/or poor healing
Implant placement requires a surgical procedure, so in theory, provided the dentist follows correct sterilisation and aseptic protocols, the chances of infection are extremely low. These days Implants are designed and packaged so that they are as sterile as they can be and even when working with the mouth which is naturally full of bacteria, patients are normally given a course of antibiotics as a precaution.

Usually, if an infection does occur it’s because of a pre-existing condition in the mouth such as an infection in the tooth area close to the implant site. However, even if this is the case, a skilled Poynton dentist should be able to spot the signs early and eradicate the problem before it causes further implant problems.

Medical conditions and lifestyle choices
Many people are eligible for dental implant restorations, however, there are certain conditions/lifestyle choices that may cause problems once implants are placed. Conditions such as certain cancers, gum disease, uncontrolled diabetes and alcoholism; and lifestyle choices such as smoking, can all affect the implants ability to fuse with any existing bone (a vital factor in any implant restorations)

In order to overcome this, your dentist should give you a thorough medical examination and ensure that they are fully aware of any conditions prior to implant placement. This should avoid any unnecessary complications.

Dental implant movement
Dental implants must remain in perfect position long enough for bone fusion (osseointegration) to take place (more so when carrying out immediate loading procedures). Any movement during this stage no matter how small can be problematic. For these reasons steps are usually taken to ensure any wear and tear on the implant is kept to an absolute minimum. This may require making the tooth shorter so that any food doesn’t press on the implant, splinting the tooth to other implants or natural teeth or maintaining a softer food diet for 2-3 months.

Lack of bone
For an implant to be successful it needs to be placed into the healthy bone, but also the bone that has sufficient depth and width. Failure to do this can result in the bone not being able to grow properly around the site causing the implant to become loose. If a patient has been missing a tooth for a long period of time they will be missing bone volume. With this in mind it is possible to increase bone capacity using various grafting techniques, but do bear in mind that this will require another surgical step.

Not following aftercare instructions
Correct aftercare, although relatively simple, is vital for implant success and is something your private dentist in Manchester will tell you. Yet surprisingly, failure to follow basic instructions are the number one reason for short-term implant problems. Factors such as avoiding certain foods, keeping the surgical site clean and avoiding physical activity or strenuous movement (for the first few days at least)are key in ensuring that dental implants have the best start in life.

And now the long-term complications…
To much stress placed on the implant
It’s true that once an implant has fully integrated with the bone tissue it’s incredibly solid. In fact, you could say that it feels much like a ‘nail in concrete‘ except it’s not! The make-up of bone is such that any excess force will cause the bone to be lost This can lead to periodontal pockets where excess bacteria can build and colonise, as it does so, it can set off a cascade of events that will eventually lead to a failed implant.

For these reasons, while normal bite forces are usually okay, don’t go chewing ice cubes or opening bottle tops with your implant. Also if you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding) then you might want to ask your Poynton dentist about the possibility of wearing a mouth guard while you sleep.

Cleaning and maintenance issues
So you finally have your dental implants in Manchester giving you a restored smile and renewed confidence, but before you ride off into the sunset you should know that you need to be committed to maintaining them. So basic things like regular and thorough brushing and flossing and attending regular check-ups shouldn’t be underestimated. Remember if you neglect your implants, they will cause you problems, and after you’ve spent a good deal of cash on them in the first place it would be crazy to allow that to happen. Long-term commitment to maintenance is key!

So there you have it – dental implant complications and how to overcome them! While seeking a skilled private dentist in Manchester you trust and feel comfortable with is vital, much of the success or failure of implant-based restorations are down to the patient. So if you’re good to your implants, then it’s highly lightly that they’ll be good to you.

To find out more about the implant procedure contact our Cheadle Hulme, Stockport and Poynton dentist at Church Road Dental and Cosmetics. We have the experience, skills, and ability to restore your smile so why not call, for a no-obligation consultation. We’ll give you the information you need to make a fully informed dental decision so call us on 0161 486 0743 today.

Tags: dental implants manchester, Poynton Dentist, private dentist manchester