UK Dental Professionals on

the Importance of Dental

Implant Maintenance

Edinburgh Dental Specialists

178 Rose Street Edinburgh,

Edinburgh, EH2 4BA

+44 (0) 131 225 2666

UK Dental Professionals on the Importance

of Dental Implant Maintenance

The British Dental Health Foundation noted that a perfect smile is among the most

important symbols of the society’s image-obsessed culture. A UK survey revealed that a

smile (56%) is the top-most feature used for attraction, followed by faces (53%), eyes (51%)

and the body shape, hair, height and rear (25%). As such, some go to great lengths to fund

their dental cosmetic needs.

Despite how people in the UK see smiles as an important symbol, dentists say that

not all pay attention to their oral health habits. This is true, especially after having dental

implants and other related dental cosmetic treatment.

Dental Implant Maintenance

An article published by BBC News reports that many dentists are warning patients

about the risks of not taking good care of their implants. Dental implants are indeed

beneficial for people who have lost a tooth due to an accident or old age. It can be a

nightmare for some, however, if left without proper maintenance. In the UK alone,

dental clinics perform about 10,000 implant procedures in the lower jaw per year. Most

of these are for people who are over 65. Dental implants can be costly—about £1,000

per tooth—because many patients prefer to take their procedures privately.

Infection Due to Poor Maintenance

Dental implants help patients complete their set of teeth. It attaches to the bone

to support dental prostheses, such as dental bridges, crowns and dentures, and make

them durable and long lasting. Dr Aws Alani, a restorative dentistry consultant at Kings

College, says that this dental innovation may be a growing industry, but many are not

aware how to maintain them. Dr Alani noted that he is seeing more patients with cases

of peri-implantitis, a bacterial infection surrounding the implant, resulting in gum

inflammation. In a worst-case scenario, it could even lead to bone loss.

Dental implants are indeed helpful in terms of appearance and function, but patients

need to know that maintenance is important. They need to realise that proper oral

habits are important to continue enjoying the benefits, as well.

Sources:

http://www.nature.com/bdj/journal/v217/n6/full/sj.bdj.2014.808.html

http://www.dentalhealth.org/news/details/599

http://www.edinburghdentist.com/