Are you considering dental implant surgery? If so, congratulations on taking a proactive step toward better oral health!
Dental implants are a permanent and safe solution to missing teeth or damaged teeth due to injury, decay, or age. But as with any medical procedure, there are important dos and don’ts that you should be aware of before diving into the process.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the key points of information to consider if you choose dental implant surgery in order for you to make the best decisions possible when it comes to improving your smile and overall well being—both now and in the long-term.
Contents
What Should I Expect During a Dental Implant Procedure?
Dental implant surgery is an advanced outpatient procedure for tooth loss patients. They provide the look and feel of healthy teeth. The whole process can span anywhere between 3 and 9 months. Here are some things you should expect during a dental implant procedure:
- Evaluation –
Your dentist will thoroughly evaluate your oral and general health to determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implants. They will take mouth x-rays and, in some cases, will even call for a CT scan to identify areas of bone loss and nerve locations to plot the course of surgery appropriately. - Jawbone preparation (grafting), when needed –
Not all patients require bone grafting. But, if your jawbone has shown significant resorption or is too soft, you may need a bone graft. This supports the implant teeth and creates a more solid base for the implant body to attach. Depending on your dentist’s assessment, they may recommend a natural or synthetic bone graft. The transplanted bone may take several months to grow, but patients only need minor bone grafting in some cases. This procedure can be performed simultaneously with implant surgery. - Damaged tooth extractions –
Similar to bone grafting, not all patients need tooth extractions. Only those that suffer from damaged teeth due to tooth decay, tooth rot, trauma, or teeth that haven’t fully grown need extractions. - Dental implant placement –
The brunt of the procedure occurs here. Your dentist creates an incision in the soft tissue to expose the jawbone and drills a hole to place the implant. The dental implants mimic tooth roots and act as an anchor for abutments. - Bone growth and healing –
This process is called “osseointegration.” Osseointegration unites the surface of your dental implant with your jaw bone creating a solid foundation for your artificial teeth. This process will take several months. - Abutment placement
– Once bone growth and healing are complete, you will need another surgery to secure the abutment. Your dentist will reopen the gum, expose the implant, and attach the abutment. The abutment is where your crown will be attached. Your dentist may also take impressions of your mouth at this point for the fabrication of your custom crown, bridge, or denture. - Artificial tooth placement –
Once your custom-made dental restoration is ready, your dentist will attach it to the implant abutment and ensure a secure fit. - Follow-up care –
After your dental implant surgery, one of the most important steps is following up with your dentist. During these checkups, your dentist closely monitors the recovery process and makes sure that everything is healing properly. Regular follow-up care helps to prevent complications and increases the success rate of your implants.
What Are the Dos of Dental Implant Treatment?
These are some of the dos of dental implants that you should follow to ensure everything runs smoothly:
- Do research; ask your dentist questions about the procedure, and ensure you are comfortable with the answers before committing to it.
- Do keep your dentist informed about your medical history and any changes leading to surgery, including any medications or supplements being taken. This also includes post-surgery, such as postoperative pain, excessive nausea, and other symptoms to ensure a successful healing process.
- Do take your dentist’s prescribed medications to help reduce pain after surgery. Your dentist may prescribe antibiotic medication to prevent bacteria from building up. Additionally, they may also recommend pain medication to manage your discomfort.
- Do follow all postoperative dental implant care instructions provided by your dentist. This includes care for the implant site, following a soft diet, and getting adequate rest.
- Do return for follow-up visits with your dentist after the surgery is complete to evaluate your recovery progress.
What Are the Don'ts of Dental Implant Treatment?
Here are some of the don’ts of dental implant surgery that we recommend you follow:
- Don’t smoke before and after the surgical procedure. Smoking affects your blood vessels and blood pressure, which can lead to the following:
- Impaired wound healing
- Increased risk of implant failure
- Increased risk of infection at the surgical site
- Increased risk of bone loss around implants
- Decreased blood flow throughout the body, which slows down healing.
- Don’t consume alcohol prior to your surgery. Drinking alcohol is one of the don’ts of dental implants treatment. It may interfere with the anaesthetics and healing process.
- Don’t exceed recommended physical activity levels before or after implant surgery until instructed by your dentist. Strenuous activities days after surgery can cause serious harm, such as excessive bleeding. The implant teeth may be damaged as it is still fragile after being placed in your mouth.
- Don’t go against dietary recommendations given by your dentist right after receiving a dental implant. Soft foods enhance healing, while crunchy foods and hot foods can cause unnecessary setbacks. You should also avoid eating sticky foods as they may adhere to the implant site and increase the risk of infection. Stick to healthy foods as they promote proper healing.
- Don’t neglect your oral hygiene. Dental implants, like natural teeth, require brushing and flossing to keep them healthy. Overall, keeping your mouth clean and your dental implants free from food particles is essential. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush so as not to irritate the site.
Following the dos and don’ts of dental implants is essential to maintaining your oral health and speeding up the recovery process. Remember to follow your dentist’s recommendations before and after oral surgery to make your dental implants last as long as possible.
What Are the Consequences of Not Following These Dos and Don'ts?
There are consequences to not following the don’ts of dental implants, such as
- Gum recession
- Infections
- Traumatic occlusion
- Deterioration of the jawbone
- Nerve damage
- Dry socket
- Delayed healing time
- Blood clots
- Unnecessary swelling
Conversely, you reap the benefits when you follow the dos of dental implants:
- Faster healing period
- Less prone to complications
- Better tooth and gum health
- Improved confidence
- Natural looking and feeling smile
Final Thoughts
Dental implants are permanent fixtures in the jawbone that replace missing teeth. They are ideal for adult patients who have lost teeth to trauma, injury, or infection and want to preserve the aesthetics and functionality of their jaws. This procedure has a high success rate and provides long-term benefits for patients.
Dental implant surgery may be the right fit for you if you’ve suffered from considerable tooth loss and want to restore the appearance and function of real teeth. But remember, to achieve the desired results and aid the healing process, follow both the don’ts and dos of dental implants.
Are you considering getting dental implant surgery? Come visit us at South Pearl Dental Surgery. We’d be more than happy to restore your beautiful smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an implant consultation?
An implant consultation is your initial appointment with your dentist, where your oral health and suitability for dental implants will be assessed. Your dentist will also discuss your medical history, potential treatment plans, dental implant care, and treatment cost, as well as answer any questions you may have.
What types of prostheses can be placed over dental implants?
- Crowns are specially manufactured replacements for a single tooth. When mounted onto an implant beneath the gum line, it replaces the lost tooth and gives you a natural-looking smile that lasts.
- Bridgesare bonded to dental implants that have been placed directly into the jawbone creating a base for the prosthetics. This secure foundation gives patients added stability, aesthetics, and comfort, compared to traditional dentures or bridges which require neighbouring teeth to act as anchors.
- Dentures consist of several false teeth placed up high. False teeth go on top of implants acting as a base beneath your existing gums, making biting and eating easier.
No matter which type you choose, all three options will restore structure to the mouth landscape, giving back what missing teeth took away: beauty and confidence!
Does health insurance cover dental implants?
Health funds don’t typically cover the cost of dental implants as they fall under cosmetic dentistry. However, some health funds may subsidise a portion of the cost if the dental implants are deemed medically necessary.
We recommend contacting your health fund provider to know your level of cover.