Dental implant surgery is becoming far more commonplace and is regarded by many as being the gold standard for tooth replacement. When the procedure is properly carried out at a reputable dental surgery such as Leeds City Dental care, then the success rate is extremely high, typically 95% or even a little more. However there are certain factors that can influence whether or not a dental implant is successful and while some of these are down to your dentist in Leeds, others are the responsibility of the patient.

Proper Planning Is Essential

A conventional dental implant in Leeds needs to be surrounded by 2 to 3 mm of healthy bone. This is essential for a process called osseo integration to take place which is where the specially treated implant post will integrate with the surrounding bone, and new bone cells are encouraged to grow on and around the post. If there is insufficient bone then it might be necessary to have a bone augmentation or graft to create sufficient volume at the implant site.

Correct placement of the implant will allow it to function exactly like a natural tooth, and will ensure it looks completely natural. Without proper planning there is always the chance that the implant might be placed in the incorrect position, and this can affect the way it functions, and could make it awkward for a crown to be fabricated so it blends in with the surrounding teeth.

Good Oral and General Health Are Extremely Important

It’s extremely important that you are in good oral health and that you don’t have any existing dental issues that may affect your implant. Diseases such as gum disease and tooth decay must be treated before the implant can be placed. Being in good general health will help your implant to heal more quickly, ensuring the surgery is a success. Being in poor health means your body will lack nutrients that are essential to help healing.

If you smoke then it’s important to quit before surgery, and to refrain from smoking while your implant is healing, or preferably just to quit altogether. Smoking affects your gums and makes it much harder for them to heal through constricting the blood vessels in the gums. This prevents essential nutrients from reaching the gums, and slows down the removal of harmful toxins.

Care for Your Dental Implant

Your dental implant needs caring for in exactly the same way you would your natural teeth. It’s very important to floss thoroughly around the implant and to keep it as free as possible from plaque and calculus. You can still get gum disease around the site of an implant, and this will affect the bone levels and could lead to implant failure. This condition is called peri-implantitis and signs of this disease include noticing the gums around your implant bleed when brushed, or that there is a discharge from the gum, or that you have an unpleasant taste in your mouth. If you notice any of these signs then it’s important to contact Dr David Brown or any of the dentists at Leeds City Dental care for advice and swift treatment.

You can help avoid this condition from developing through making sure you brush and floss thoroughly each day and by attending our Leeds surgery at regular intervals for check-ups and professional cleanings. Many people have had successful dental implants; with care they should last a very long time, and you won’t even know they’re there.