Dental implants: Frequently asked questions
How painful is the process of placing a dental implant?
You should not feel any pain during dental implant surgery since you are given an injection around the teeth, gum, and jaw bone areas to numb them. After the surgery, it is normal to experience some slight discomfort and swelling for a couple of days. However, medication can help to ease these symptoms.
Who can have dental implants?
Dental implants can be safely and comfortably placed in an individual with sound general health and above the age of 18 years. Implants may be contraindicated in certain health conditions such as poorly controlled diabetes, severe jaw bone and gum disease, radiation therapy for head and neck cancers, excessive cigarette smoking, Bruxism, certain medications that affect bone quality such as Bisphosphonates to mention but a few. These conditions may interfere with/deter the process of integration of the implant body with the jaw bone.
Individuals below 18 years old still have growing jaw bones so implants may not be effective. A thorough examination and medical history review are critical to ensure suitability.
What should I expect?
The process of getting a dental implant may vary from one individual to another, depending on many factors such as bone quality and quantity available, the status of the gums at the intended site, additional surgical procedures involved, location of the implant site (esthetic/front site vs back site), stability of the implant at the time of placement and many others.
However, the dental implant is placed surgically and appropriate time is given for the implant to heal.
After the implant has healed, the post (abutment) and final crown, bridge, or denture are attached to the implant.
How often should one have a checkup?
After the implant and the crown have been successfully installed, it is recommended to have annual/yearly checkups to assess the state of the implant and crown, oral hygiene and care, especially around the implant, the implant-anchoring/ supporting jawbone as well as the gums.
What are the possible risks?
These include, among others, possible damage to surrounding natural teeth during placement, jaw bone fractures, injury to the surrounding tissues , nerve injury and failure of the implant body to integrate with the jaw bone.
Authored by Dr Nelson Peter Kalyesubula
