Dental Implants
Dental implants are a permanent solution for your missing teeth and can be placed depending on your situation. If you need a single tooth replaced, you’ll need a single implant. However, if you need multiple teeth replaced, you may need two or more implants to support the teeth. If the bone is healthy enough for implants without a grafting procedure, you may be a candidate for same-day implants.
Are Dental Implants Right For You?
If you’re asking yourself if dental implants are right for you, chances are, they’re exactly what you need!
As we get older, tooth decay, cracking, breaking, and receding gums start to take their toll on our teeth. Sometimes it may result in just one tooth falling out, or maybe all of your teeth. However, if that time comes, you can be sure that dental implants are your best option for getting back to living a normal and healthy life. In this blog, we’re going to talk about several ways you’ll know it’s time to get implants, as well as some of the benefits you can expect to see from taking the leap.
They’re the best alternative
If full-tooth replacement is what you’re looking for, there’s nothing better to match the feel and strength of your natural teeth than dental implants. Many elderly will live with dentures believing there are no other options out there for them. These people will often get used to living with less than satisfactory teeth that lead to trouble eating, smiling, and enjoying life the way they once had.
They’re made to last
Most dental implants are made of titanium, a material that isn’t rejected by the body and acts as a solid foundation for your implant teeth. When the implants are inserted, your natural jaw bone will hold the implant in place so that when you’re eating or moving your mouth, you’ll get no movement and will stay stable throughout your life. The crown of the tooth is made of a ceramic material that is made to look and feel like a real tooth. Although the crown is also very durable, if they were to break, they could be easily replaced without any complicated surgical procedure.
The Steps:
If you’ve never had dental implants before, it may seem a little intimidating, however, I’m here to set the record straight and give you a comprehensive overview of the process in order to demystify it a little bit. Here is the dental implant procedure process is broken down for you:
Exams
Exams are one of the most important aspects of any dental procedure. We don’t want to waste your time performing any exam that won’t provide us with key information about your condition and show us how we can help. Read below to learn more about our exams:
Comprehensive Digital X-rays
X-rays are essential for understanding the structure and condition of your jaw and teeth. Our digital X-rays emit very low radiation and images are produced quickly so that Dr. Delavari is able to start forming a detailed analysis immediately.
Digital Photos
X-rays give us a good idea of what’s going on underneath the gums and in the jawbone, digital photographs will help us understand what’s going on on the outside.
Cone Beam 3D CT Scan
The Cone Beam 3D Ct Scan, although not always needed, will present a more detailed look at your jawbone and teeth from all angles. This examination procedure helps doctors determine if bone grafting will be necessary before getting your implants.
Oral examination
The doctors will perform an oral exam in order to screen for oral cancer; better understand your bite and how that could be impacted by implants, and thoroughly assess the health of your teeth and gums.
Recover From Dental Implant Surgery ASAP With These Tips
Being prepared for dental implant surgery will help you to recover as soon as possible following your procedure. To help promote healing and make your dental implant successful, follow these tips provided by our dental implant experts.
Tip #1: Find Someone To Drive You Home
Any dental implant surgery that requires you to be put to sleep during the procedure will require someone else to drive you home. It takes some time for alertness and coordination to return after a procedure. For these reasons, it's always recommended that you do not drive or operate machinery for the first 24 hours. Having someone there to drive you home is the first step towards a speedy recovery.
Tip #2: Help Your Mouth To Produce Blood Clots
It's typical to experience bleeding from the surgical site following a dental implant placement procedure for up to 48-72 hours. During this rest period, continue to bite down firmly on gauze sponges. Applying slight pressure by biting down on the gauze your doctor placed will help to stop any persistent bleeding. This process also promotes blot clots, so be sure to avoid rinsing, aggravating the sensitive tissue, and promoting bleeding.
If you have a dental implant placed in the upper jaw, it's not uncommon to experience bleeding from the nose. If this type of bleeding occurs, avoid blowing your bose and encourage clots by applying light pressure to your nose's bridge.
Tip #3: Don't Ignore Persistent Bleeding
Bleeding can be more substantial than you may expect after having a dental implant placed. If the bleeding you experience seems excessive or heavy, follow these steps to help promote blood clots and lessen the bleeding:
- Gently wipe away any large clots from your mouth
- Take two folded gauze pads and place them over the bleeding site
- Bite down firmly for one hour without changing the gauze
- Repeat the process several times until bleeding lessens
Moistened regular (non-herbal or decaf) tea bags wrapped in gauze can also be used to reduce bleeding. Place the tea bags directly over the area that's bleeding and bite down firmly for one hour.
Tip #4: Stick With Soft Foods For 24 Hours
Gauze pads placed by your doctor can be removed one hour after surgery if eating is necessary. For the first 24 hours, be sure only to consume soft foods. Avoid any hot or spicy foods or beverages for several hours after your procedure.
Tip #5: Help To Minimize Swelling
Swelling most often occurs as part of the natural healing process, especially after bone grafting procedures. Facial swelling typically increases for approximately 3-4 days after oral surgery. Soon after, the swelling should begin to subside. If you had implants placed on both sides of your mouth, it is not uncommon for one side to be more swollen or uncomfortable.
Help minimize the amount of swelling, apply a cold pack to the cheek area for a maximum of ten minutes at a time with twenty minute break between sessions. After 24 hours, gentle heat can be more beneficial in combating swelling and bruising.
Tip #6: Take All Prescribed Antibiotics
Dental implant surgery requires antibiotics to be taken after your procedure. Antibiotics are used to prevent infection on or around the dental implant or bone graft. You must follow the bottle's directions to ensure proper dosage and continue taking the medication until it is finished. If you should develop a reaction to the antibiotics, such as a skin rash, stop taking the medication immediately and consult with your doctor.
Tip #7: Avoid Smoking
Smoking of any kind after oral surgery will interfere with the necessary healing process. It can also increase your chances of developing an infection. Failure of the dental implant or bone grafting procedure is common, and smokers have a higher risk of implant failure than non-smokers.
Tip #8: Schedule Your Follow-Up Appointment
Your implant provider will likely want to see you three weeks following your implant surgery. After this follow-up exam, the healing torque of the implant will need to be tested, or for the second stage of the procedure to uncover the implant and place the healing abutment if your implant was placed in a two-stage process.
If you're ready to transform your smile with dental implants, or for more tips on how to quickly recover from dental implant surgery, contact us today at 623-878-6000 today to schedule an implant consultation appointment.