Looking After Your Dental Implant - An Absolute Guide!

It doesn't matter what type of implant you have, how well you care for it is critical to it's long term success.

Dental Implants can may cleaning more difficult, even though the teeth themselves aren't made of enamel and dentine like real teeth, it is extremely important to keep them free from plaque to prevent peri-implant disease which is an inflammation in the gums around the implants.

This peri-implantitis is caused by bacterial plaque which forms constantly in the mouth. The plaque needs to be removed regularly, or it can build up along the gum line and cause redness and swelling. If it is allowed to continue to form, it extends below the gum line, becomes unreachable with normal brushing and hardens into calculus (tartar) which attracts more plaque!

In time, this can cause the bone around the implant to break down  and the implant can become loose.

So, what can you do to look after your implant?

• Start brushing around your implant as soon after surgery as you are able and brush twice daily
• Clean "underneath" any implant retained crowns or bridges to remove any debris which can accumulate and cause problems.
• You may need a special brush to clean the area where the implant crown meets the gum - your dentist or hygienist can advise you on this.
• Tooth brushing cleans all of the flat surfaces of the implant crown surfaces, but to reach the inside surfaces an interdental brush is recommended. Different sizes are available, and it is recommended that you take advice from your hygienist to find the size suitable for you.
• Specialist brushes and floss can be especially useful

So, care of your implant is vital, but also individual. Please seek advice from your dentist or hygienist to ensure the long term success of your smile.

Absolute Dental Training - Student Dental Nurses Course

It’s the beginning of March, spring-time, a time for new beginnings, and here at Absolute Dental Training, March sees the start of the first training course for student dental nurses of the year.

This year we have students who are all relatively new to dental nursing, which I always think is a great opportunity. An opportunity for me to teach and develop great new techniques and habits, rather than trying to undo bad habits that have been learnt over the years!

For those students who work in specialist practices, these first few weeks of the training course can seem quite overwhelming, but with encouragement and careful tuition, everything starts to slowly fall into place and we see more confident, happy dental nurses emerging from their shells.

The training course itself is quite intensive, and there is always an emphasis on students putting in the hard work between their weekly tutorials. My motto always has been, and always will be “You only get out what you put in”, so if students want to come out of this course with a good result, the effort must be there from the outset!

I love that our training course has produced some very competent dental nurses, who I am still in contact with, and who recommend other students to the course. It is great to see so many qualified nurses enjoying their roles! I can’t wait to see my current students evolve as the term goes along and celebrate with them as they achieve their own personal and professional goals along the way. I encourage them to embrace this time of learning – they will only take this course once, but if they do it right, once is enough!

 

 

Good to have you on board ladies!

My role as Implant Co-ordinator at Absolute Dental

Since qualifying as a dental nurse in 2006, my career has taken many exciting twists and turns and the role that I currently have covers the widest range of responsibilities I have ever had, which I love!

One of my roles at Absolute Dental is as Implant Co-Ordinator. This means that I am usually the first point of contact for patients who are thinking of having dental implant treatment, or for those who are  already on the road to achieving a the smile they want with the help of dental implants.

My nursing skills cover all aspects of the implant placement treatment and final restoration of the implant, but as this is a treatment that many enter into with some degree trepidation, my skills have to extend to above and beyond the clinical!

From being able to explain to a patient what they can expect from the treatment at each and every stage and how this can benefit them, to reassuring them that there are easy ways to finance the treatment, I believe that having someone who can walk you through every step of the treatment, is a great comfort to the patient.

We don't want anyone to feel that they cannot achieve a beautiful smile, and thankfully with the many advances in dentistry over the last 30 years, we really can help our patients achieve this. Being able to have treatment to replace a missing tooth or teeth in your own practice (without the need to refer patients to Plymouth or Exeter), by a familiar team who are dedicated to your overall well-being is an amazing thing to be able to offer patients, and I am proud to be part of this award-winning team.

Diane

Recommendation for Dental Implants with Rhodri John at Absolute Dental

For some people the loss of a tooth, especially a front tooth can be very distressing. This lovely gentleman who is a long standing patient at the practice was troubled by a failing post crown on his upper central incisor. Having discussed all of the options with Rhodri John, he decided to proceed with a dental implant to replace this troublesome tooth. Here are his thoughts on the treatment before, and after.

"Like most people I am not keen on going to the dentist. When it was suggested to me that an Implant  was the best answer to my problem I became very nervous over the procedure. Something I know now to have been totally unnecessary.

The initial advice was excellent, the process totally painless and the result is perfect. I can smile with confidence.

For me this was the best answer. I can recommend the procedure."

RF, Kingsbridge

If you would like to know more about dental implant, please call us on 01548852165 to book a consultation.

Who is suitable for dental implants?

If you have good general health then dental implants will almost certainly work for you. They can only be used once the jawbone has stopped growing so generally are not used in young patients. However, habits such as heavy drinking or smoking can increase the number of problems associated with initial healing and thereafter may negatively influence the long-term health of gum and bone surrounding each implant. Remaining teeth might also be compromised making treatment planning less certain.

Some dentists will decline to place implants if smoking cannot be reduced or given up altogether.

If you have any other complicated medical problems then speak to your dentist prior to starting treatment - it is rare to have health problems that prevent the use of dental implants.

 

 

Do you need to have a healthy mouth?

When you first enquire about dental implants it is often in response to an awareness of on-going dental problems or the recent loss of teeth. Each of these problems will need to be diagnosed and treated in a logical manner, before placing implants ,in order to establish healthier conditions. 

 

Although it is tempting to focus on the more glamorous aspects of teeth supported by implants, basic dental health, which includes the treatment of gum disease, repair of decay and the elimination of abscesses will be just as important for the long-term success of your treatment.

 

If you are aware of bad breath, loose teeth, or have noticed excessive bleeding, particularly when your teeth are cleaned professionally, you may have gum problems. Periodontal (gum) disease is a major cause of bone loss and with reduced bone, dental implant treatment can be more complicated.

How long will the implants last?

Once the implants and surrounding soft tissues are seen to be healthy and the new teeth comfortable and correctly adjusted, it is the quality of your home care and willingness to present for regular maintenance reviews that will have most influence on how long they will last.

When poorly cared for, implants will develop a covering of hard and soft deposits (calculus and plaque) which is very similar to that found on neglected natural teeth. Untreated, these deposits can lead to gum infection, bleeding, soreness and general discomfort, just as can occur around natural teeth. It could probably be said that implants much like teeth will last for as long as you can keep them clean.

Well maintained implants placed into adequate bone can be expected to last for many years and probably for your lifetime. However, just as you would expect conventional crowns, bridges and fillings to need occasional repairs or replacements during their lifetime, your implant-supported teeth may also have similar maintenance requirements over theirs.

 

Rhod - Clinical Director, Absolute Dental