Are You Really Ineligible for Dental Implant Surgery?

It’s true that people from all walks of life can undergo successful implant surgery, irrespective of age. However, whilst it’s known that there are small groups of people who are at a high risk of failure from the treatment; this doesn’t necessarily include everyone within that group. Here at Sheen Dental we’ve been assisting clients with dental implants in Richmond for many years and we know from experience that within each high risk group there are exceptions, and that each individual case needs to be taken on merit. Let’s take a look at some of these groups.

Smokers

Whilst it’s true that smokers have slower bone regeneration than that of non-smokers and can also pose a greater risk of post-operative infection, it doesn’t necessarily mean that an implant is certain to fail. In fact a study carried out by Dr Arturo Sanchez Perez, Director of Periodontology at the University of Murcia, closely monitored 66 smokers who had a total of 165 implants between them. Of those 165, only 16 implants failed. That’s a success rate of just over 90% which is the same in those who don’t smoke.

Severe facial bone loss

Often tooth loss or old age can lead to deterioration in facial bone structure and as such the patient may not have sufficient bone to take an implant. This being the case, then prior to implant surgery a surgeon may suggest a bone implant. The new bone is either taken from other areas of your body or from a bone bank or implanted into the area to build up the bone width and depth. If the bone regenerates then the implant can then be fixed in place.

Already have dentures and crowns fitted

There are many myths surrounding the fact that if you already have dentures and crowns, then you can’t have dental implants. In Richmond, here at Sheen Dental we have in the past successfully fitted implants to many customers who already have dentures and crowns. The reason for this is that dental implants can be used in conjunction with bridges and dentures and can be used as a stabiliser to support the bridge or denture.

If you’re looking for a dental implant in Richmond and suspect that you may be in a higher risk group, then contact us here at Sheen Dental. Our highly skilled team will examine you and will be able to tell you one way or another if surgery is possible or not. So call us on 020 8876 5277 or visit our website at www.sheendental.co.uk to give you true peace-of-mind.