Question from Jennifer Browne, Dorset:
How exactly are dental implants fitted?
Can you tell me what is involved in getting dental implants? I am a bit nervous about the whole process and would appreciate any information you could give me.
A dental implant is a straightforward procedure which is usually done under a local anaesthetic. Your dentist will take an x-ray first in order to determine how long the titanium bolt should be. Once the titanium bolt has been ordered in, the dentist will have to cut through your gum and drill a hole into your jawbone. The hole will have to be drilled with a threaded screw attachment to enable the titanium bolt to be screwed in. Once the bolt has been screwed in, the dentist will put stitches around the open gum. You will then be required to wait for between two and five months for the jawbone to accept the titanium bolt and to heal properly.
The dentist will then need to add another bolt to the existing one in order to expand the gum around the bolt to ensure there is enough room for the crown to fit. This is left in for about five or more days and once it is removed another piece is screwed in in its place and the crown is fitted to that.
