Have some questions about oral implants?
At Chelsea and Fulham Dentist, our team has been helping patients to restore their smiles using dental implants in Fulham and know all there is to know about these nifty restoratives.
Here, our team answers common questions that we receive about our dental implants in Fulham, so read on and enjoy!
How do I keep the implants clean?
Immediately after your dental implants in Fulham have been fitted, you will want to avoid brushing the area with a toothbrush. This is because your gums will likely be a bit sore!
And so, our team may recommend keeping the area clean by rinsing it with salt water as often as needed. This will help to dislodge any food debris or plaque and keep the site clean and fresh.
Try to refrain from using mouthwash as even the mildest ones can increase discomfort around the site of the implant.
How long will they take to heal?
On average, the areas around an oral implant site (the gums) can take up to 2 weeks to heal, depending on how many have been fitted, the type of oral implant and, of course, your general health.
If you have an underlying health condition such as diabetes or are taking medication that suppresses the immune system, the healing process can take longer.
If you notice any signs of infection around the implant site, such as excessive swelling, discolouration or discomfort, then please contact our team for an emergency checkup.
How often will I need to attend dental checkups?
As mentioned earlier, this will depend on how many implants you have had fitted, the type that has been fitted and your general health.
But, once your implants have been fitted, you will usually need to see our team every 2 weeks at first so that we can ensure that the site is healing correctly and that your body is not rejecting the implant, which would be very unlikely.
This also offers you the opportunity to ask our team about any problems you may be having with the implants.
When will the prosthetic teeth be attached?
When your implants are fitted, there is a period of between 3-6 months during which the implants need to fuse with the surrounding jaw bone. This time frame will vary based on your age and any pre-existing conditions that you may have.
As a general rule, if our team finds that it is taking longer than a year for the implants to fuse, we will consider them failed and proceed to remove them.
But, we will attach the prosthetic tooth or teeth as soon as we find that your oral implants have fused with the surrounding jaw bone.
How long will they last?
With the correct care, your oral implants can last up to and over 15 years.
This would involve cleaning the implants daily, regular checkups with our team and, of course, avoiding lifestyle habits such as smoking cigarettes and drinking excessive quantities of alcohol.
