Dental Implants

Over the past decade or so, dental tourism has become increasingly popular in the UK, particularly when it comes to dental implants. Many people are tempted by the prospect of affordable dental care in countries like Turkey or further afield. While the allure of saving money and getting a holiday at the same time is strong, it’s important to understand the potential risks involved.

Ok look, this is a tricky one. To pretend that you can only receive the best dental care in the UK is obviously not true and anyone that says otherwise is being insincere.

There are lots of excellent dentists and surgeons abroad. In fact, some of the best in the world are not the in UK. So then what’s the problem with choosing to have your dental (or medical for that matter) treatment abroad? Let’s have a look at some of these below. These points are particularly relevant with regards to dental implants which usually require certain expertise and training, good quality materials and components, and long-term follow-up and maintenance.

1. The price is not always cheaper: The best dentists and surgeons that I mentioned above will often have fees comparable to those quoted in the UK. The high quality of care and expertise, along with using the best components and materials, from any experienced clinician will often come with a premium.
2. Lack of follow-up care: This is one of the big issues. For residents that live in those countries this is obviously not a concern, but dental procedures often require several appointments and follow-ups to ensure everything is planned in detail, and after treatment to check that all is healing properly and to address any issues that may arise. When you travel abroad for dental work, you may not have the opportunity for so many appointments and the necessary follow-up care. If complications occur, you might need to find a local dentist who is willing to correct another dentist’s work, which can be very difficult or very expensive.
3. Cutting corners to save time: Similar to the point above, when you are travelling abroad there is a physical restriction to how many times you can arrange to keep travelling for appointments. Because of this, it is common to try and cut corners and avoid necessary diagnostic appointments or follow-up care, which can all significantly affect the final outcome. One common example is for clinics abroad to offer a ‘remote consultation’ and ask that you send X-rays taken at your dentist, and then provide you with a treatment plan to be carried out on arrival at the clinic. This is fraught with danger as there is no substitute for an in-person and thorough clinical assessment.
4. Quality of care concerns: One of the biggest dangers of dental tourism is the variable quality of care. Not all dental clinics abroad adhere to the same standards as those in the UK. While some clinics may offer excellent care, others might cut corners to keep costs low. I have personally seen some very poor quality work carried out abroad, which then needs complex and expensive remedial surgery. This is always very upsetting for the patient. But as I’ve said above, I’ve also seen some excellent treatments carried out, which patients have told me was in fact not cheap.
5. Legal and regulatory issues: The UK has some of the strictest regulations in place for dental treatment, which is actually one of the reasons sometimes for the high cost of care. But this is also a form of protection for you as the patient. Whilst abroad, different countries may have different regulations and standards for medical and dental treatment. If something goes wrong with your dental treatment abroad, it can be very complicated or impossible to get any sort of recourse or responsibility from the dentist or clinic.
6. Potential for low quality components and materials: This is particularly relevant to dental implants. Globally there are hundreds if not thousands of brands to choose from for materials and dental implants. The quality of these differ massively, and there are also a lot of imitation or replica components, that will also not offer the same quality for long-term results. Also, if you ever need any corrective treatment or surgery in the future back in the UK, it may be very difficult or impossible for us to source the matching components to the implants that were used abroad.
7. Communication Barriers: Clear communication between you and your dentist is crucial for successful treatment. When traveling to a non-English-speaking country, language barriers can lead to misunderstandings about your treatment plan, the risks involved, and the expected outcomes. Miscommunication can result in receiving a different treatment than what you anticipated or not fully understanding the post-procedure care instructions. To be fair this should not be an issue for most that speak English, but when it comes to medical and dental terms, there can still be a potential for misunderstandings.

So if you are considering having dental implants abroad, please at least consider the points above and make sure you do your research before committing to any treatment. I have seen some very sad stories when things go wrong, and it’s never nice for anyone to deal with these situations.

If you’d like any further friendly advice, feel free to contact me.

Dental Implants are a fixed replacement for missing teeth, and are the gold standard option that dentists would recommend.

Dental health is a vital aspect of our overall well-being. When teeth are lost due to injury, decay, or other health issues, it can affect not only our smile but also our ability to chew and speak properly. This is where dental implants come into play. But what exactly are dental implants, and how do they work? Let’s break it down in simple terms.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of titanium, a metal that is well-tolerated by the body with years of research advocating their safety and effectiveness. They serve as a strong foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Implants can support single crowns, multiple teeth, or even full dentures. They do not have to be removed and are not at a risk of becoming loose, which is one of the main disadvantages of dentures.

How Do Dental Implants Work?

The general standard process of getting a dental implant involves:

1. Consultation and Planning: The first step is a thorough examination. We will assess your oral health, take X-rays, and 3D images to determine if you are a good candidate for implants – it is rare that dental implants is not a viable option. We will also discuss the treatment plan with you and alternative solutions to replace the missing teeth.
2. Implant Placement: The implant is placed very precisely where the missing tooth used to be. This procedure is done under local anesthesia and is not painful, and in fact, almost everyone agrees that it is better than having a tooth removed.
3. Crown Placement: Once the implant has fully healed, the final step is to attach the artificial tooth (crown) to the implant. The crown is custom-made to match the color and shape of your natural teeth, ensuring it blends seamlessly with your smile and bite.

Benefits of Dental Implants

• Natural Appearance: They are the most like having your own teeth back, compared to other options.
• Improved Speech: Unlike poor-fitting dentures, implants allow you to speak without the worry that teeth might slip.
• Comfort and Convenience: Because they are a fixed replacement, implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures.
• Durability: Implants are very durable and last many years. With good care, many implants last a lifetime.
• Improved Oral Health: Implants do not require filing down and damaging other teeth, as a bridge does. Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health.

Dental implants are a reliable, fixed and effective solution for replacing missing teeth, offering a natural look and feel that can restore both function and confidence. If you’re considering dental implants, feel free to contact us to determine the best course of action for your specific needs. With proper care, dental implants can provide a lifetime of healthy smiles.

If you have just had dental implant treatment, or perhaps if you are only thinking about having dental implants and want to know what to expect afterwards, these dental implants aftercare instructions will be useful for you.

Please note that these are basic and generic instructions, and depending on your specific treatment, there may be additional care that may be required. If you’ve had treatment with me, please contact the practice using the details in your aftercare package or online; if you have had treatment elsewhere, please contact your surgeon for advice.

1. Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions

First and foremost, follow all the aftercare instructions provided by your surgeon. This might include prescribed medications, recommended rest periods, and specific advice tailored to your personal health or the specifics of your surgery.

Your schedule and plans should have been checked prior to surgery, but it is generally sensible to avoid any significant events such as holidays, important meetings, birthdays, etc., within the first 2 weeks following surgery. This is partly so that you will not be in any discomfort or have any swelling during this time, but also in case you need to see the surgeon within this period.

2. Manage Swelling and Pain

Everyone is always surprised about how little pain they experience after implant surgery, regardless of complexity. Part of this is to do with how gentle your surgeon is (we are known to be particularly gentle!) but generally, most patients say the actual treatment and after effects were less than a tooth extraction. Any soreness is manageable with normal over the counter painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.
Swelling is a normal part of healing, and increases over 2-3 days after surgery before going down again. Using ice packs immediately following treatment can help. Bigger surgeries will naturally cause larger swellings, but what we hear from patients is that it looks worse than it feels and it really was not painful. If you are having actual excessive pain which cannot be controlled with painkillers, please see point 6.

Bleeding is really not expected apart from some oozing and a taste of blood. If you do experience what looks like excessive bleeding, applying some gentle pressure for 10-20 minutes with a damp tissue over the area should stop it. If you are still worried, please contact your surgeon.

3. Keep Your Mouth Clean

Good oral hygiene is essential for the healing process. Please follow the specific advice given for you, which usually includes a soft toothbrush and a mouthwash from the day after the surgery for 1-2 weeks.

Another point that is often overlooked, is that SLS free toothpaste, which is generally sensitive branded toothpastes, can be better during the healing after implant treatment. This is because, in a simple way, SLS free toothpaste is kinder to the gums.

4. Eat Soft, Simple Foods

Stick to a diet of soft foods – the length of time this is necessary depends on the complexity of your surgery but can vary between 1-2 weeks. Any food that is not hard, crunchy, crusty, chewy or has small particles such as rice/muesli/grains must be avoided. Avoid citrus or spicy foods as they will sting. Avoid hot foods and beverages, specially on the first day when you may be numb, as you may burn yourself and they can exacerbate swelling.

Also stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and fluids, as this is important for healing.

5. Rest

Your body needs to heal and rest is very important for this. For around a week after your surgery, avoid strenuous activities that could increase your blood pressure or lead to bleeding at the implant site. Activities like yoga where you have to bend your head down a lot should be avoided too.

6. Watch for Signs of Infection

Keep an eye out for signs of infection. The most obvious sign is increasing pain and swelling after the first 3-4 days, which does not improve and does not respond to normal painkillers. If you are concerned at all, it is always best to get in touch with your surgeon. Personally as a surgeon, I would much rather know about things sooner rather than later even if it turns out to be nothing; it is best to check and reassure.

7. Attend Follow-up Appointments

Be sure to attend all scheduled follow-up appointments. These allow your surgeon to monitor the healing process and remove any sutures if necessary.

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If you are someone who is thinking about having implants and had more questions, please feel free to get in touch.