Placing dental implants is a very precise procedure which is important both for their effectiveness and also for longevity. For this reason, a number of x-rays and scans will always be taken before the procedure can even start.
One such guideline for implant placement is known as the 3/2 rule. While it is not a term that patients are likely to be familiar with, we thought it might be interesting for some of our implant patients who may wish to know more about this particular aspect of the treatment. Also to understand some of the things that our Witham dentists have to consider before providing this popular tooth replacement.
This ‘rule’ generally relates to a spacing where:
It should be noted that these figures relate to the actual implant itself; that is, the post that is placed into the jawbone, and not the crown that will be visible once the procedure is fully completed.
Leaving these small spaces is important in order to help protect the bone the implant is placed into and the gum tissue which will surround the implants.
If implants are not placed correctly, even just a little ‘out’, this can be noticeable visibly. This is especially important where front teeth are concerned. Where a small difference in the space occurs near the back of the mouth, this might not matter much from an aesthetics point of view. The same ‘error’ relating to the front teeth however, might be quite noticeable. This is obviously an important factor for many patients of Blake Dental Witham, and especially those who value their smile as well as the functionality of their new replacement teeth.
If implants are placed too close together, this can also increase the risk of bone loss in this area. This in turn can affect the long term security of the implants.
The crown that we use when replacing a tooth with a dental implant is not the only important part of the procedure but it is one that most people will see and the one that patients will judge the success of their treatment by. There is a song that goes ‘build your house on a strong foundation’ and though you might only see the crown, it is the ‘foundation’ of the dental implants that makes this procedure the successful and popular one that it is.
Even if the crown that is fitted is the most expensive and of the highest quality, it will still not look natural if the implants they are attached to have not been precisely placed and this is why the prior planning, including digital scans, is so important.
Some patients might be tempted to go abroad to have their dental implants placed, hoping to have the treatment more cheaply. This comes with a number of significant risks. We hope that the information about the 3/2 rule gives you some idea of the sophistication of placing a dental implant and indicates where things could go badly wrong if the dentist abroad wasn’t as qualified or experienced as you believed. A millimetre or two might not seem much to you, but when it comes to this procedure, it can mean the difference between success and failure.
With things like an implant procedure, we especially think it important that you use a UK dentist as these are strictly regulated. All the dentists at Blake Dental are fully trained and highly skilled and we will not cut corners. We believe that not only is the procedure itself important but the work leading up to it too.
This starts from the moment you come to us to discuss the possibility of having dental implants with one of our Witham dentists. From the full discussion with you, to the scans that we take, through to the final procedure and aftercare, you can be sure that you are in excellent hands.
If you would like to discuss dental implants with us, why not book yourself in for an initial consultation? You can do this by calling our Witham Dental Practice on 01376 501688.
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Katie Annabel Blake trading as Blake Dental is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Financing First Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Katie Annabel Blake is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Financing First Limited may not be so authorised and regulated.
