Dental Implants in Stokesley

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Losing a tooth is never nice whatever age you are. The older you get the more likely you are to be missing a tooth or two, if so statistics suggest that you may be a part of a majority of people in the UK. Almost three-quarters of Brits are without their full set of natural teeth, and 6% have none left at all. We have come to know that a significant number of the people living with missing teeth, wear dentures. Although dentures are an affordable way to replace lost teeth, they can be difficult to wear. Although some people get on really well with dentures, some patients find even the most accurate dentures at best a chore to wear, or at worst it can have really negative effects on their self-esteem and confidence. This can be due to aesthetic compromises, the fit of the dentures or in some cases, both.

In recent years dental implants have become increasingly popular as they make tooth replacement more predictable. Whether you are currently missing a tooth or contemplating getting your dentures relined for the nth time this year, you may want to try dental implants as a fixed and reliable solution to tooth loss.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed into your jaw essentially replacing the natural tooth root you lost. A dental crown is then secured onto this implant- this helps create a beautiful aesthetic and very natural functionality. This is not always the case with conventional dentures.

The NHS describes dental implants as a fixed alternative to removable dentures which may be the only option if the loss of teeth has caused the mouth to shrink so it can no longer support dentures.

Types of dental implants

Endosteal (in the bone)

These are the most commonly used dental implants wherein various types of implants may be surgically placed into the jawbone. Each of the implant placed may hold one or more prosthetic teeth. This type of implant is generally used as an alternative for patients with bridges or removable dentures.

Subperiosteal (on the bone)

These implants are placed on top of the jaw with the metal framework’s posts protruding through the gum to hold the prosthesis (teeth). These types of dental implants are used when the patient does not have adequate healthy bone left (minimal bone height) and are unable to wear conventional dentures.

Who can get dental implants?

Since dental implants interact closely with the other oral structures, it is important that a thorough assessment of the oral cavity is done prior to the placement of dental implants. The ideal candidate for dental implants is a patient with:
● Healthy gums (free of periodontal (gum) disease)
● Adequate bone volume in order to support the implant (in the absence of adequate bone support, you may have to receive an additional bone grafting procedure)
● Excellent oral hygiene habits and regular dental and, if deemed necessary by your dentist, hygiene visits.

Smoking negatively impacts the success of dental implants, this will be reflected in the prognosis an implant dentist will provide you at your consultation, or they may feel implants are not in your best interest. If a patient who smokes would like implants and would like to quit smoking your dentist can help signpost you to healthcare professionals who can provide advice and support to help you quit..

People suffering from uncontrolled chronic disorders such as diabetes or heart disease or patients who have had radiation therapy to the head and neck region in the recent past need to be evaluated by an implant dentist prior to getting a dental implant.

What is involved in the Implant procedure?

The procedure begins with a consultation with a dentist with a special interest in implants. Depending on your specific condition and the type of implant chosen, your dentist will create a treatment plan that meets your unique dental needs.

Dental implant surgery is done in stages with an intermittent healing period after the initial implantation of the titanium post.

● The dentist evaluates the health of the bone and overall status of the mouth to fabricate the treatment plan that best suits the patient’s needs. A patient x-ray and/or CT scan is required to determine if adequate bone support is present. The scan can be done in-house at both Vitality sites in Stokesley and Northallerton with our Digital CT scanner.
● If a tooth is grossly decayed or is broken, the tooth will be extracted after which a dental implant plan will be put into place. Depending on the condition of this tooth specifically the presence of any infection a period of healing may be required before an implant can be placed. Your implant dentist will advise you of your individual needs.
● The bone will be prepped for surgery and may require bone grafting if there is insufficient bone to support the implant.
● The titanium post is placed into the jaw bone and buried under the gum to heal for at least three months. During this time the bone fuses to the implant.
● Once healed, the dentist will begin the process of fabricating the teeth that will fix onto the implants.

The average treatment time for the whole procedure is 6 months to a year depending on the implant treatment plan.

Benefits of dental implants

Dental implants have been around for more than 30 years enjoying a success rate of as high as 98%. With implant treatment being this well-established, patients can be confident that the following can be reliably delivered with implants:

● Aesthetics: Unlike dentures and dental bridges, dental implants are aesthetically superior and can closely replicate the look of a natural tooth. With a wide range of crown shades, they create teeth that look and feel like your very own.

● Oral function preservation: Not only do dental implants look like natural teeth, but they also function like real teeth! Since these implants are made custom-fit to your mouth, they make life easier by allowing complete functions like eating and talking like normal!

● Long-lasting: Dental implants have a long-life expectancy if taken care of properly. As with natural teeth, their life span depends on a number of factors including good oral hygiene routine and attending regular maintenance visits.

● Tooth preservation compared to:

○ Partial Dentures – Even the best partial dentures will retain plaque, this increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. If you follow your dentists oral hygiene advice implants will be no different to normal teeth so will have less long term impact on your remaining dentition
○ Bridges – In most cases some level of damage will need to occur to adjacent teeth when providing a dental bridge. This can significantly reduce the long term prognosis of an adjacent tooth, or adjacent teeth depending on the design of the bridge. Implants negate the need to rely on adjacent teeth so will increrase the time you have with your remaining teeth.

How much do dental implants cost?

Vitality Dental Care offers dental implants starting from a modest price of £2200. This includes the implant, connecting component, and the crown. This price may vary depending on the complexity of the case. You will be made aware of all costs, finance options and individual implications for any treament recommended for you following your free consultation with our implant dentists.

Missing teeth can make you feel self-conscious when smiling and dentures can affect your confidence when eating if they wobble or drop when talking. You will not have to go through these nuisances with dental implants. With dental implants, not only are you investing in your present but also securing your future with a full set of beautiful teeth. Connect with Vitality Dental Care Stokesley to find out more about dental implants!

 

VirusKiller System Protects Dental Patients

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Riverdale Healthcare, which incorporates Vitality Dental Care, have announced that they will be first UK dental group to have the revolutionary Radic8, VirusKiller clean air technology installed.

It is now clear that the entire landscape of dentistry will change at least during the transmission phase of COVID-19, forcing the dental profession as a whole to revisit its entire infection control method and policy, bringing about significant policy changes in the wake of the crisis.

Riverdale Director, Ian Gordon explains, “Dentistry has always had excellent standards of cross infection with single use instruments where possible, autoclaving of other instruments and disinfection of hard surfaces. One of the biggest challenges in infection control within healthcare settings is in dealing with the air and whilst there is no real evidence of transmission in a dental practice via this route it has remained an area of some concern.

Therefore, despite the small and theoretical risk of transmission in this way, to make sure our patients receive the best treatment and service, we are the first dental group in the UK to have partnered up with Radic8, who are leading the global fight against airborne viruses and have installed their clean air technology “Viruskillers” in our dental practices.”

The units, which will arrive this week, have a 99.9999% kill rate on all respiratory viruses, including Coronavirus, in a single air pass. The unit aims to completely and constantly recycle the air inside a standard size surgery both during and between patient appointments. While the patient is in the surgery, the unit creates an airflow that drags contaminated air away from the patient and the dentist and releases sterilized air back, creating a continuous cycle.

Ian added “This is a technology not just for now but for the future. Nobody who has lived and worked through this period will forget the impact of Covid 19 – we are confident this additional measure will reassure and protect our patients and staff from what admittedly is already an extremely low risk”.

 

Reopening Vitality Dental Care

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You may be wondering what steps we’ve taken to ensure your safety when you next visit our practice.

It is now clear that the entire landscape of dentistry will change at least during the transmission phase of COVID-19. It has forced the dental profession to revisit its entire infection control method and policy and no doubt there will be significant policy changes in the wake of this crisis.

Dentistry always had excellent standards of cross infection with single use instruments where possible, autoclaving of other instruments and disinfection of hard surfaces. One of the biggest challenges in infection control within healthcare settings is in dealing with the air and whilst there is no real evidence of transmission in a dental practice via this route it has remained an area of some concern.

Therefore, despite the small and theoretical risk of transmission in this way, to make sure our patients receive the best treatment and service, we are the first dental group in the UK to have partnered up with Radic8, who are leading the global fight against airborne viruses and have installed their clean air technology “Viruskillers” in our dental practices.

The units have a 99.99999% kill rate on all respiratory viruses, including Coronavirus, in a single air pass. The VK 401 aims to completely recycle the air inside a standard size practice in between every patient visit (around 5 minutes). While the patient is inside, the unit creates an airflow that drags contaminated air away from the patient and the dentist and releases sterilized air back, creating a continuous cycle.

 

There are other changes to our protocols and we would encourage you to look at the patient reopening policy prior to attending your next appointment.

You can click the image or the link to the patient brochure here

Home Care Advice for Dental Problems

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If you are experiencing dental pain,take a look at the advice below. If you are still experiencing issues, call the practice during office hours.

 

Patient Safety

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We are looking forward to the day when we can see our patients again and are busy preparing.

To ensure we are safe for everyone, we wanted to share with you some of the changes you will see next time you visit.

What to Do When Having Dental Implant Treatment in the middle of Coronavirus Outbreak

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During these unprecedented times we would like to give you some useful tips to help you resolve and reassure any possible dental implant related concerns you may have.

Recently placed implant(s)

If you have had implant(s) placed in the last week or two you will be due to have the stitches removed soon. You will have been informed if these are dissolvable or not. If they are dissolvable then there is no urgency to attend the practice, stay safe at home. A member of our team will give you a call to check on how you are doing. If the stitches are not dissolvable please contact the practice and we will arrange an appropriate time to have them removed.

3-month healing phase

After having had the implant(s) placed you will have a 3-month gap before the next stage of treatment, implant expose. Due to the current situation, several of our patients will be waiting longer than 3 months before this is carried out. Please do not worry, no harm will be done to the implant or you if this stage is not carried out after 3-months. This stage can be carried out any time after 3 months.

Implant expose

This stage is routinely carried out 3 months after placing the implant. Some patients will have had this part of the treatment already carried out. You will have had a small circular disc called a healing cap or healing abutment placed into the implant that protrudes through the gum. It is very important that this cap/abutment is kept very clean. You must brush the cap directly with your toothbrush (electric or manual) twice a day just like your teeth to keep it clean. No harm will be done to it. If it is kept clean and the gums around it healthy you will minimise any risk of problems.

A common issue with these healing caps is that over time they can become loose. Do not be concerned if this happens. Carry on brushing it and it will unwind fully and drop out. Keep the cap in a safe place. The gum will heal over the top and close the hole. Under current guidelines this is not a dental emergency and so you do not need to attend for any treatment. However, please do give us a call so we can make a note of it and plan to get you booked in as soon as we are able to resume normal services. It would also be very helpful if you can send a picture of the cap so that we can reassure you no further intervention is required.

Implant impressions

A small number of patients will have had impressions (moulds) of their teeth carried out to make the implant teeth or to start the stages to make the teeth. With the Government’s advice regarding social distancing and our governing bodies advice of not using any aerosol generating procedures, most laboratories will have closed or significantly limited the work they will be carrying out. Rest assured that when the time comes to fit your new teeth, if there are any adjustments, discrepancies or need for remaking you will not be charged for these. Many cases will be routine and we will be able to fit your new teeth with minimal disruption, once we are able to resume our normal service.

Completed Treatment

If your implant treatment has been completed, you will have been placed on our implant recall list. If you are due your implant check-up, this will be postponed until we are able to resume normal service.

Complications which may occur which are not deemed an emergency:

  1. Loss of a healing abutment. If the healing abutment (Small metal stopper protruding through the gum) can occasionally come loose during the healing phase. This is not a problem and can remain out during the healing phase and beyond.
  2. Loss of a dental implant. If the dental implant becomes loose and falls out the area will heal as normal. Please contact the surgery to advise of the situation and we can make appropriate arrangements to assess you for further treatment after it is safe to do so.
  3. Loss or loose implant crown. If the implant crown has fallen off, simply keep the crown safe and the area in your mouth that the crown once fit clean. Contact the surgery to advise of the situation. If the implant crown is loose and causing pain contact the surgery for further advice.
  4. Broken/chipped implant crown. This is not an emergency and no treatment is necessary.

 

Complications which may be deemed emergency care:

  1. Pain, swelling, with facial swelling associated with a dental implant or teeth
  2. Trauma due to a fall, RTA which has fracture, loosen or avulsed your implant/teeth.

We are here for you and if you have any concerns at all, please call us 01642 712 519

26th MARCH 2020 – UPDATE

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The safety of our patients and our teams is of paramount importance to us. In the interests of all, we are following the advice from the Chief Dental Officer and stopping any face to face consultations or treatment. This means that any appointments already booked in the next three weeks are cancelled and we will contact you to re-arrange.

Although we have had to close our doors, Riverdale Healthcare will continue to give telephone advice when you need us. Please just telephone your practice in the normal way for details of this service.

Stay at home. Protect the NHS. Save lives.

Coronavirus Impact update

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25/3/2020

We will now see EMERGENCY PATIENTS ONLY

PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND THE PRACTICE IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19. If you do you will be asked to leave immediately.

Further to the Prime Minister’s statement on Monday evening, the definition of a dental emergency will need to be much more restrictive. It would be unsafe to provide certain treatments unless we are given access to the appropriate equipment.

Postponing routine appointments
All routine appointments have been suspended in keeping with the current policy from our Professional Body (the BDA) and to respect social distancing in line with Government Policy.  This is for the safety of both our patients and our colleagues.

If you have a routine appointment booked you can expect to hear from us again shortly to postpone your appointment to a later date.

Please don’t worry, you will not miss out on any dental care that you need in the longer term.

Once we are able to get back to our normal operation we will be extending our opening hours to catch-up on postponed appointments although your treatment needs may require reassessment with a new examination, depending on the delay in resuming limited or normal services.

Please do contact the practice by phone if:
1. You require emergency treatment
2. You need advice or reassurance
3. You need a treatment completing such as a crown or denture fit – your original appointment will be cancelled – there may be circumstances where this treatment is provided IF we consider it would prevent a problem or the denture is essential for function.
4. Separate arrangements are being made on a case by case basis for Orthodontic patients and you will be contacted directly by the practice.

In hours emergencies
Please rest assured that whilst we are operating on reduced staffing levels, we are still available to provide emergency dental care. If you experience a problem, please call the practice and we will aim to see you for treatment on the same day if appropriate.
The treatment we are able to provide is governed by regulatory guidance and may be more limited than usual.

Out of hours emergencies
If you have a dental emergency and are unable to wait until our practice is open, please call NHS 111. This service is overstretched so please do so on an extreme emergency basis only.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Please remember to check our website and social media pages for further updates.

Do stay safe and my very best wishes to you and your family in these difficult times.

Ian A Gordon BDS MFGDP
Managing Director Alpha Vitality Group
Riverdale Healthcare

Important Information

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Dear Patient

Covid 19 is affecting all our lives in a way we could not have contemplated even 2 weeks ago. I have delayed writing to you in relation to any change in arrangements at the Practice simply because things are changing daily and at times hourly.

As of today, Sunday 22 March ALL practices in the Riverdale Healthcare Group, including Alpha and  Vitality practices, Archway, Eston, Framwellgate, Pelaw and Hebburn are moving to see patients for Emergency treatment only.

PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND THE PRACTICE IF YOU HAVE OR HAVE SYMPTOMS OF COVID 19. If you do, you will be asked to leave immediately

NHS Commissioners, our regulator and the Chief Dental Officer still only advise a reduction in the number of patients we see and to not provide certain treatments. However our Professional body, the British Dental Association (BDA) backs the position we are adopting.

​I hope you can understand our decision as we support social distancing for our teams and our patients.

All appointments are now cancelled until further notice.

Please contact the practice if:-
1) You require emergency treatment
2) You need advice or reassurance
3) You need a treatment completing such as a crown or denture fit – your original appointment will be cancelled but we will try to accommodate completing your treatment by arrangement.
4) Separate arrangements are being made on a case by case basis for Orthodontic and Implant patients and you will be contacted directly by the practice.

Our senior dental team will be available to give telephone advice if your query cannot be managed by our reception team – you will be called back as soon as possible.

In the interests of safety, OUR DOOR WILL BE LOCKED – PLEASE RING THE PRACTICE FOR ADVICE OR AN APPOINTMENT

We are working to keep our team together and will do all we can continue your treatment when this situation is over.

In the meantime please follow Government advice on social distancing.

Do stay safe and my very best wishes to you and your family in these difficult times

Ian A Gordon BDS MFGDP
Managing Director Alpha Vitality Group
Riverdale Healthcare