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Dental implants are an amazing advancement in the treatment of lost or missing teeth. And it’s not at all surprising that more people are choosing dental implants these days because they offer so many advantages over the alternatives such as dentures and dental bridges. Dental implants offer comfort, convenience and longevity that no other replacement strategy can match.
Our Team Will Walk You Through The Dental Implant Process
Fitting your dental implants is a process that takes time and effort, but it’s worth it. Once your dental implants are firmly set in place, you can rest assured. They can last a lifetime as long as you continue to follow the same regular oral hygiene regimen that you are already following with your teeth. According to the American Dental Association, “with careful treatment planning and good oral care, dental implants can provide a healthy smile for a lifetime.”
Dental implant surgery involves extensive preparation and thoughtful consultation between you and your dentist. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. Dr. Bruno Carré and his outstanding team of dentists, hygienists and dental assistants at API Dental Care are uniquely qualified to walk you through the entire process and assuage any concerns you might have.
The steps generally proceed in the following manner:
- If necessary, the bad tooth is removed. This will require some recovery time.
- Next, the jawbone is prepared to receive the implant. In some cases, the bone mass along the ridge requires augmentation in order to support the implant. This is achieved through a surgical process called grafting.
- After the jawbone has fully recovered from the pre-implant treatments, your dentist will surgically install the titanium post which will be used to support your implants.
- Then your gums need to become integrated with the post through a process called osteointegration. This typically takes about seven months.
- The abutment, the middle section of the post and the crown, is attached.
- The crown is attached. The crown is the top part of the implant which sits above the gum and looks like your regular teeth.
Make Sure You Follow Those Post Op Instructions You Get From Your Dentist
You will be fully briefed by your dentist or your dental hygienist before every stage of the implant process. We will also provide you with detailed written instructions. We want you to know what to expect with your dental implant surgery. But please don’t hesitate to call us if you have any questions or concerns regarding your recovery.
It’s extremely important to follow your dentist’s recommendations at each stage of the dental implant process in order to promote a full and speedy recovery. But keep in mind that “you may experience some of the typical discomforts associated with any type of dental surgery.” It’s important to carefully monitor your recovery, so you should inform your dentist if you are concerned about any symptoms that develop.
What To Expect Following Dental Implant Surgery
It is perfectly normal to experience some adverse sensations after you undergo dental implant surgery. Some swelling and bleeding are natural parts of the healing process. But if you go into the process knowing what to expect, you will be less concerned by normal developments in your recovery.
Some Pain And Swelling Is To Be Expected After Dental Implant Surgery
It is common to experience some swelling after your dental implant post is surgically implanted in your jawbone. This swelling should reach its maximum point 2 to 3 days after your surgery, but the pain is usually most intense about six hours after your surgery takes place. You can use an ice-pack to reduce the swelling and be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions as far as pain medication is concerned. Be careful to check the time before you take any medication so you won’t exceed the recommended dosage.
Bleeding After Dental Implant Surgery
Bleeding is another common side effect of dental implant surgery. After your surgery, you can change the gauze in your gums every 30 to 45 minutes if necessary. Wetting the gauze with tap water before you insert can make it easier to position. Also, biting down on the gauze for up to 30 minutes can help to reduce the blood flow. But you should keep in mind that it is common for some blood to continue to leak out of the site for up to 48 hours after the surgery.
Other Post-Operative Conditions That Might Concern You
Bruising around of the cheek and dry lips are two common after-effects that are typical of the recovery process. The bruising can be black, blue, green or yellow, but it should begin to subsist 2 to 3 days later your surgery. The application of moist heat on your bruising can reduce discomfort and aid the healing process.
Dry lips can be an annoyance, but you can treat them with a lubricating ointment such as Vaseline. A sore throat or a stiff jaw are two additional symptoms of recovery that may bother you, but they both tend to go away after a few days.
What To Eat After Dental Implant Surgery
Following your surgery, don’t eat anything until your anesthetic has completely worn off. Make an effort to drink plenty of fluids throughout your recovery process, but be sure to avoid hot liquids. It’s best to consume liquids and soft foods for the first few days until the swelling wears off. You will also want to avoid spicy, crunchy, acidic and hard food as well as food such as nuts, seeds, and popcorn that can get caught in your mouth and aggravate to the surgical site. But don’t skip meals and return to your normal diet as soon as it feels comfortable.
Oral Hygiene After Dental Implant Surgery
Be sure to adhere to all dental care procedures recommended by your dental hygienist following any implant procedure. Use the cleaning devices recommended by dental team, such as toothbrushes, flossing, interdental brushes or an irrigation device, but don’t rinse vigorously or probe the surgical site with objects or brush too close to it until the swelling has gone down. Use a recommended oral rinse before and you can also rinse your mouth with warm salt rinse 4-5 times day to aid the healing process.
Things To Avoid Following Dental Implant Surgery
Make sure you have someone ready to pick you up following your dental implant surgery and don’t drive yourself around until the anesthetic has completely worn off. Strenuous exercise and demanding physical activity should be kept to a minimum during your recovery from dental implant surgery. And don’t drink from a straw for at least 4 to 5 days as this can damage the surgical site.
Alcohol, coffee, and black tea should also be avoided. And you should definitely not use nicotine products at this time because they have been shown to dry out your sockets, thus hindering the recovery process.
Make Sure To Follow All Directions With Prescription Medications
Your dentist may prescribe you pain medication for your recovery. If so, make sure you carefully follow all of the instructions and do not operate a motor vehicle or heavy machinery under the influence of pain medication. And if we prescribe antibiotics to help prevent infection, make sure that you take all of the medication.
A Few More Things To Remember About Your Recovery From A Dental Implant Procedure
The first 1 to 2 days of your recovery will be the most difficult. You will probably find that sitting up is more comfortable than lying down. And when you sleep, try to lie on the side of your face that is not affected by your surgery.
Contact Us Immediately If You Have Any Questions Or Concerns Following A Dental Implant Procedure
Please contact us right away if swelling, discomfort or bleeding persists or gets worse in the days after your dental implant surgery. In fact, you should call us if any if anything concerns you during your recovery. That’s what we’re here for.