Dental implants at Taunton Hospital

Some people may not be a candidate for dental implants. Thus a critical step in the implant process is a consultation and assessment. Your consultant will review your medical history and a complete oral assessment will be made.

If you are a candidate for implants, your consultant may order a CT scan and full x-rays to thoroughly assess the structure of your jaw.

If you need to have any teeth removed your consultant may be able to do this during the same procedure. Depending on your situation your dentist may remove any teeth a few weeks prior to your implant surgery.

In some cases removal takes place several months prior to implant surgery to allow your jaw to fully heal. If more bone mass is needed in your jaw to hold the implants your consultant may also need to perform a bone graft.

What happens during dental implant surgery?

Dental implant surgery is usually done using local anaesthetic as a day case. You may also be given a sedative to help you stay relaxed. However, here at Nuffield Health Taunton Hospital we also offer the option to have your dental implant surgery under intra venous sedation or general anaesthetic in the safety of our hospital environment, giving you the confidence that you are being looked after by our expert anaesthetist and theatre teams.

The length of your procedure will depend on how many implants you are having.

Dental implants come in two parts: the titanium implant within the jaw bone, and the dental restoration (crown) onto the implant. Together, the implant and the restoration replace the missing tooth or teeth.

Here at Taunton Hospital we offer two-stage implant surgery, where the surgical implant procedure is performed first, followed by the restorative dentistry work at a later date.

During the implant surgery, your consultant will make a small hole in your gum and drill a small hole in your jawbone. A titanium rod will be placed in the hole with an abutment (connection point) exposed on the surface of your gum.

During two-stage implant surgery only the rod is inserted into your jawbone. You won’t be able to see the implant as the rod will be under your gum. You may be given a temporary set of dentures to wear while you jaw heals. If you wore dentures before your surgery your consultant may adjust them so they can be worn during the healing period.

A few months later when your jaw has healed you will have another small procedure to attach the abutment to the rod(s). An impression of your gums with the abutments will be taken so that the dental laboratory can produce your new teeth. You will need to return for a follow-up appointment to have your new teeth fitted.

Every tooth implant treatment plan is different. Be sure and discuss your individual treatment with your consultant.

After dental implant surgery

You will need to eat soft food for the first few days after your surgery. Be sure to follow the instructions we give you about cleaning and brushing the area. Take over the counter pain relief such as paracetamol if needed.

Once you are fully recovered your new implants and teeth should perform just like natural teeth. As with any surgical procedure there can be complications:

• Bleeding
• Swelling
• Infection

Specific complication of dental implant surgery may include:

• Nerve damage
• Fusion failure (implant does not fuse to jaw bone)