Frequently Asked Questions

Implants

Will it hurt?

We place many implants every year and the first question we normally get asked at the start of treatment is “Will it hurt?”. A lot of patients worry that the procedure will be painful, however, patients rarely experience much pain. In fact, at the review stage following surgery, most of our patients (70-80%) will highlight that they only need to take one to two painkillers on the day of treatment, and perhaps on the days following treatment. This can depend on the simplicity of the treatment (a small number of patients will require more complex surgery, such as bone or soft tissue grafting), but even with our Same Day Smile procedure, we do not anticipate a lot of pain and should be manageable with over counter painkillers.

Are implants available on NHS?

Implants are only offered on the NHS for exceptional cases where there is a legitimate medical requirement for the treatment, such as following a serious accident or in certain cases following cancer treatment.

If you think that you may be eligible, you will need to be assessed by your local dental hospital to ensure that you meet specified criteria.

How long does treatment take?

This depends entirely on the treatment that you are having – every case can be different, depending on several factors such as extractions, bone grafts, sinus lifts etc. Generally, it can be only a few weeks between the initial consultation and the implant placement, but the overall treatment, including aftercare, could still take many more weeks or months. 

This will be discussed with you during your implant assessment.

How long do implants last?

Dental implants can last for many years, with some cases reporting implant success upwards of 40 years post placement, though it should be noted that (like with real teeth) their lifespan will depend entirely on the level of care and cleaning.  

Are there any reasons I can’t have implants?

Generally speaking, most patients are suitable for implant placements, but there are some cases where considerations will need to be made. Pre-existing medical conditions can reduce suitability and certain lifestyle habits can also impact whether the treatment would be successful, such as smoking. Some patients may require supporting treatment prior to implant placement, for example, bone grafts. This can be discussed at your implant assessment.

Do implants fail?

It must be noted that dental implants can fail, though this is very unlikely. One of the key factors to implant success, as previously mentioned, is patient care. Implants must be kept clean to reduce the chances of failure and this will be explained to patients in full. There are also some other factors, such as smoking or a history of gum disease, which can reduce implant integration though we will provide you with information on how to reduce this risk.

What to do if interested?

If you are interested in dental implants, you can arrange a free consultation to discuss the treatments we have available. There are normally a variety of options available, and unlike other practices we have both Implant Surgeons and Clinical Dental Technicians on site to ensure that you have the highest level of care and planning possible, as well as our own in-house laboratory where your new teeth will be made.

Start your implant journey here today.

Dentures

What types of dentures do you make?

We can make all types of dentures here at Chapman Dental Solutions. We also have several standards to choose from, including ‘private’. ‘cosmetic’ and ‘elite’ – this all depends on what the patient wants/needs and is discussed in full at the consultation stage.

How long does it take to adapt to new dentures?

Every patient tends to adapt differently to their new dentures, for various reasons such as denture type and patient perseverance. Some patients will have no issues at all and will adapt very quickly, but others may take a little time to get used to the way the new denture fits and feels. We call this the “bedding in period” and we offer 12 weeks of aftercare post fit to ensure that patients are adapting well.

Can I have permanent dentures?

We do get asked this a lot but really the only way to have “permanent dentures” is to have implants with fixed bridges, though you can also have implant-retained, removable dentures – we do both procedures so feel free to ask for more information at your visit.

How do I care for my dentures?

Daily cleaning of your denture is necessary to prevent a build-up of food debris, bacteria, and stains. These can cause problems with appearance, mouth odour, irritation to gums and infections.

·         Use a soft toothbrush or denture brush to clean your denture, along with soap and warm running water (avoid hot water).

·         Avoid using toothpaste as this can damage and scratch the denture, which can make it more prone to collect debris, stains, and tartar.

·         Brush/rinse the denture after every meal to prevent the build-up of debris.

·         You can use Nitradine tablets for soaking – this is to help keep your dentures clean, loosen and remove stains and deposits.

·         Soak dentures 1 or 2 times per week, for an hour.

·         You should avoid leaving the dentures in the solution overnight. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Full denture care instructions will be provided to all our patients, as well as free cleaning tablets, following your denture fit.

How will I know if I need a reline?

You may find that your dentures start to feel slack over a period of time or there may be some friction/rubbing due to movement. This is very normal and due to minor changes to your oral anatomy. A very simple diagnostic method will allow our technicians to see if a reline is required and this can then be booked for a same-day service, meaning you are only with one or both dentures for a few hours. Call today for a reline assessment.

Start your new denture journey here today.