Are you put to sleep for dental implants?

Are you put to sleep for dental implants?

A tooth can be lost for many reasons, from tooth decay and gum disease to trauma or accident of some sort and medical extraction. Whatever the reason, gaps in teeth can look unsightly at times, so if you have a gap yourself, you may be self-conscious about it and want to fix it.

The best course of action for most people with a gap in their teeth is to have a dental implant fitted. Dental implants are designed to be permanent; they replicate the natural look of your teeth and provide the perfect solution to fill a gap.

At the Eye & Dental Clinic, we are experts in creating the perfect smile, and that includes dental implants, so we’re here to talk you through the process of getting dental veneers, including whether you will be put to sleep or sedated during the procedure.

A step-by-step guide on how dental implants are done

Dental implants are rapidly becoming the most popular, natural-looking way of replacing missing teeth. They can be used in several ways to make your smile whole again; they are dentally considered to be the best solution for missing teeth – no other dental treatment comes as close to recreating the look, feel and function of your natural teeth.

But how are dental implants done, and will you need to be put to sleep to have the procedure done? Here we go through the process step by step.

Step one

The first step is to have a consultation with us. We are a dental surgery based in Bury, Lancashire, and we’re dental implant specialists. At your consultation, we will assess your suitability for a dental implant and answer any questions you may have about the procedure.

Not everyone is suitable for dental implants, so we will carry out a thorough assessment. As well as looking inside your mouth, we will do dental X-rays to assess the integrity of your jawbone and to see if you have enough bone for the implant to go into. At your consultation, we can assess the treatment you need and provide you with an accurate price, tailored to your needs.

Step two

In some cases, it can take a long time (several months) for the treatment to be fully completed and your dental implant fitted; therefore, at your second appointment, you may be offered a temporary denture to cover the gap in the meantime. First, impressions of your mouth would need to be made for your denture to be made. Please note that this step may not be necessary for you.

Step three

Sometimes, extractions need to take place to move the tooth and question and replace it with a dental implant, as long as there is no infection and you have enough bone. In some cases, the socket may need to be filled with artificial bone to provide more surface area to work with. Note, this step may not be necessary for you, and you will be told this at your consultation.

Step four

Next is when the implant is put into your mouth, and this is what goes into your gum and attaches to your bone and acts as a root to hold your new artificial tooth in place. For this procedure, you will not be put to sleep, but you will be given a local anaesthetic so you won’t feel any pain, just light vibrations and a little pressure.

You may feel some pain afterwards, but you can take painkillers to help with this.

Step five

After some time, usually from two to four weeks, you will return to have your stitches removed, and we will check that you are healing properly. You will then have another 4-6 months’ wait to fully heal until the next stage of the process.

Step six

By this point, your bone will have almost entirely fused with the implant, and a little screw can be inserted into it and an abutment, ready for the tooth. Here, we are likely to take impressions of your mouth and check the colour of the rest of your teeth so we can provide you with a new tooth that fits and is natural-looking. We will go through several different types of material you can choose from for your tooth and discuss the best options for you and your price range.

Step seven

Now the day has finally arrived to fit your new tooth, and this part of the treatment is usually quite quick and simple because all of the hard work has already been done. You won’t feel any pain or discomfort, and once we’re finished, we will show you what you look like with your new, full smile.

After you have completed your course of treatment, we will ask you to return sometime later for a check-up to make sure everything is okay with your new implant.

Alternative cosmetic dental treatments

Veneers are a great option for those looking to achieve the perfect smile and cover imperfections. Veneers are not suitable for missing teeth because of the way they are fitted. Veneers act as a cap over existing teeth and don’t replace them entirely.

Porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers are the most expensive and durable type of veneer. It’s what you’ll see when you see a celebrity with pearly white, perfect teeth. Porcelain veneers cost around £800 or more per tooth; a full set of porcelain veneers can cost thousands.

Composite veneers

Composite veneers are a great alternative to porcelain veneers. They don’t last quite as long, and they aren’t as strong, but they’re made from a composite resin, so they’re cheaper than porcelain. Composite veneers cost around £200 or more per tooth, so they’re much more affordable than porcelain veneers.

Things to consider when getting cosmetic dental treatment

You can’t get veneers if you have gum disease, and this is the same for dental implants, too. It’s important to maintain good oral hygiene if you’re considering dental treatment, as any hygiene issues will need to be resolved first, which can slow down the process. To be a good candidate for dental implants, you also need to have a strong and healthy jawbone that can withstand the surgery and is strong enough to hold the implant.

If you want to whiten your veneers or dental implants in the future, it’s always best to seek a dentist’s advice for recommended treatment, as not all over-the-counter whitening kits will work on artificial teeth like veneers or dental implants.

You don’t need to have perfectly straight teeth to have cosmetic dental treatment, like veneers or dental implants. Veneers can be placed over crooked teeth to give the illusion of straight, lovely-looking teeth.

Getting cosmetic treatment can be expensive, but more often than not, if you’re considering a treatment like this, it’s because you’re unhappy with something on your body, or in this case, your mouth. Make sure you choose a reputable dental surgery to carry out the treatment so you can be sure of what the process entails, the cost, the benefits, and any risks, so you are well-informed before going ahead. The majority of people undergo dental cosmetic treatment to get the smile they really want and are more than likely very happy with the result, which makes the cost worth it.

As an example, the cost of veneers in the UK can cost thousands of pounds for a full set of porcelain-made veneers, hundreds for a full set of composite veneers and the cost of a dental implant is around £1500 to £2500. Most people consider the benefits of getting dental cosmetic surgery to outweigh the cost.

Eye & Dental Clinic

We are an Eye & Dental Clinic, located in Bury, Lancashire, and we specialise in giving our patients the smile they are looking for. If you’re considering having a dental implant, contact us for an initial consultation, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

We’re also here to help in the case of dental emergencies. Rather than spending lengthy waits in urgent care, book an emergency appointment with us, and we will see you as quickly as possible.

Are you put to sleep for dental implants?

No, in most cases, you won’t need to be put to sleep to have dental implants, but you will be given a local anaesthetic to make sure you are pain-free and comfortable throughout the procedure.

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