Missing teeth / implants / snap-on dentures

Preparations

1. If you have a letter of referral from your dentist, you can schedule an appointment with us. Please bring your referral letter, your ID and a list of any medications you take. Before your first appointment, you will also be asked to fill in a medical questionnaire at home. Typically, we will first do an X-ray and then discuss our treatment plan with you.
2. Before the implants are placed, your jaw may need to be corrected first. This procedure will take place in an outpatient clinic and may require general anaesthetics. The doctor will discuss the options with you.
3. You will be given a prescription for painkillers, a mouthwash and possibly a course of antibiotics prior to the procedure.
4. If you already have a prosthesis, you can have it adjusted by your dentist or prosthetician on the day of the procedure, or a week later. You can schedule an appointment for this in advance.

Procedure

On the day of the treatment, please report to the reception desk. The assistant will take you to the treatment room.

1. You will be given an anaesthetic similar to that used by dentists. Please let us know if you are fearful of needles or injections, so that we can take this into account. We will cover you with sterile cloths to keep the procedure as clean and hygienic as possible.
2. If you wish, the assistant can talk you through what is happening during the treatment. During the treatment, you may hear small noises. Some water may also run into your mouth; this is completely normal Having an implant installed should not be painful.
3. A cap is then placed on the implant. Sometimes, the surgeon will ‘hide’ this cap under your gum. In other cases, it will protrude from your gum.
4. Finally, we will do another X-ray to check that the procedure has gone as planned.

Aftercare

After the procedure, the assistant will explain what you need to do:

• Take painkillers
• Cool the affected area
• Start using the mouthwash after 24 hours
• Do not eat, and allow coffee and tea to cool sufficiently before drinking while you can still feel the effects of the anaesthetic
• Keep an eye on the swelling
• Do not sit out in the sun
• Do not smoke
• Brush your teeth just as you usually would
• Start brushing the stitches after a week
•  Please note that you will not be able to open your mouth as far as you are used to for a little while.
• If necessary, we will also schedule a follow-up appointment..

Six weeks after the implants have been installed, you will be invited for a check-up and the oral surgeon will tell you when the dentist is allowed to start their work, such as attaching a crown, bridge or prosthesis.