Will 2026 Be The Year When You Make The Decision To Get A Dental Implant?

The festive break is a great time to look at the benefits of this excellent tooth replacement treatment.

We are almost certainly not the only dentist in the UK that sees patients with missing teeth who are undecided whether dental implants are for them or not. We understand this and there are a number of things that patients need to look at before making the move. The procedure can seem challenging, especially for nervous patients, but, despite all this, we firmly believe that implants provide the best long term option for anyone wanting trouble free replacement teeth, providing that you look after them, of course.

All too often, we meet patients who choose the option that they are most familiar with i.e. dentures. This is usually because their parents or others around them have them. Despite the issues that many of these people experience with their dentures, it perhaps seems an easier choice, but one which is likely to prove less satisfactory over the longer term than dental implants.

With the new year just around the corner then, let us take a look at why we think that our Canterbury patients should take another look at implants as their first choice to replace any missing teeth.

Familiarity

Dentures have been around almost as long as man has, albeit in a very rudimentary form in the earlier years, with modern dentures being greatly improved both in appearance and comfort. Despite this though, they are not fixed securely in the mouth and can have a tendency to move around, causing discomfort from friction with the gum and embarrassment during social interactions with others.

For some people, dental implants are still seen as ‘new’ and even ‘experimental’. This, despite the fact that they have been used to replace missing teeth since the early 1950; nearly 75 years ago. More recently, they have been commonplace and have an extremely high success rate when patients look after them well with regular brushing, flossing and hygienist visits. Basically as you should with your natural teeth of course. For many people though, the procedure is new and one that they have no experience of. That can be a barrier and there is one aspect of the treatment in particular, which probably deters people more than most – the initial placement in the jawbone.

Placing dental implants

The part that patients of Bradley and Partners Dental & Implant Clinic seem most hesitant about is the idea of having holes drilled in the jawbone into which the implants are placed. This is an essential step and the one that provides the opportunity for the implant and bone to fuse together, providing a strong ‘anchor’ onto which a crown is placed (via an abutment). This ensures that they simply can’t move about and so makes eating and speaking much easier than with dentures.

So, what should you expect during this part of the treatment?

It goes without saying that before this procedure, you will be given a local anaesthetic which will numb the area and means that no pain should be felt during it. What you might experience are some sensations of pressure, vibration and other movements while the holes are being drilled. As with other dental procedures where a local anaesthetic is given, it is often the anticipation of pain rather than any real discomfort that is likely to be experienced.

The drilling itself is carefully controlled, using special small drills specifically designed for this purpose. This ensures that the holes are the precise width and depth that is required. Cooling water is used to protect the bone and the whole thing is carried out with precision and care.

Where a patient’s situation is more complex, such as where multiple implants are placed, we may discuss the option of full sedation, although for most people, this is not necessary.

There is likely to be a little bruising and swelling for a short time after the procedure and we will provide advice on aftercare with you following your treatment. However any discomfort is usually short lived.

Should you take the plunge?

Our opinion would be ‘yes’. The reality is that while dentures have improved over the years, they can still move around in the mouth, can be uncomfortable for some patients, can make some foods more difficult to eat and will require external and often fiddly cleaning.

So yes, while dental implants do require minor surgery and some careful initial aftercare; once this period has passed, you essentially have a replacement tooth that feels just like your own natural teeth. You can eat what you want, won’t experience movement and can simply keep them clean by brushing, flossing and your regular hygienist appointments at our Canterbury dental clinic.

We are sure, if you have been thinking about having teeth implants and are wondering whether to take the next step or not, that you have other questions that you would like answers to before making a final decision. In order to address this, why not arrange to have an initial consultation with one of our implant dentists who can explain the procedure in more detail and provide answers to any questions you might have? There is no obligation to go any further with the treatment should you decide not to go ahead, so there’s nothing to lose.

To arrange your initial consultation at Bradley and Partners Dental & Implant Clinic, please call us on 01227 463529.

Finally, from all of us here, we wish all of our patients a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.