Preparation To Smile Brightly With Dental Implants Surgery

Before surgery, your dentist and oral surgeon will do a comprehensive exam of your mouth, jaw, and teeth. Your doctor may also need to consult with specialists, such as periodontists, to ensure you are a candidate for dental implants.

A specialized drill is used to create a hole in the bone. A screw-like implant is then slowly inserted into the hole and threaded into place.

Preparation

Dental implant surgery is a surgical procedure, so it’s important to prepare by following the pre-surgery instructions your dentist gives you. This includes avoiding certain foods, beverages, and medications that may interfere with the procedure or increase your risk of infection. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, let your dentist know so that they can assess your ability to undergo the procedure and recommend a different option. It’s also a good idea to make arrangements for transportation home after the procedure because you might be too tired to drive.

Before your surgery, you should brush and floss regularly to reduce the buildup of plaque that can damage your gums and teeth. You should also attend scheduled dental cleanings and treatments to address any dental problems before surgery, such as gum disease or tooth decay. This will ensure that your oral health is optimal for the success of your dental implant surgery.

Your dentist will use X-rays and other diagnostic tools to determine how much bone is available in the upper and lower jaw. They’ll also look for signs of infection and assess whether you need a bone graft to add more density to the jaw. If you need a bone graft, it will take time for the material to integrate with your jawbone. Often, the bone graft can be performed at the same time as the implant placement procedure.

If you’re missing a single tooth or multiple teeth, your dentist will likely extract the damaged tooth and place an implant in the empty space. They’ll then connect a piece called the abutment to the implant, which will hold the replacement tooth. The titanium implant is made to fuse with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration. As it heals, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of a full, natural-looking smile with a permanent replacement for your lost teeth. The process typically takes nine to 12 months, though some patients experience a faster recovery than others.

Surgery

Your dentist and oral surgeon will perform a thorough examination to ensure you have the proper bone density and healthy gums for dental implants. They will assess your general health, too. If you suffer from uncontrolled chronic diseases like diabetes, they may recommend additional tests to determine whether your body can heal properly after surgery.

If you do qualify for an implant, the team will develop a comprehensive post-implant placement maintenance plan that fosters a favorable prognosis. This involves regular appointments with our dental hygienist and radiography to check the condition of your jaw bone and monitor for signs of periodontitis and other bone loss around the implant site.

You should also avoid behaviors that increase the risk of complications like blowing your nose excessively, smoking, or drinking through a straw. These activities can create dry sockets, which are painful and can lead to infections that could damage more teeth or your jaw bone.

After a few months of healing, the implant posts will become fused to your jawbone in a process called osseointegration. This creates a strong foundation for your replacement tooth, which will be connected to the implant by a metal spacer known as an abutment. You should book an appointment with your dentist to find out more on dental implant surgery.

If the area where the implant will be placed lacks bone, your dentist might need to add more through a bone graft. They will transplant bone tissue from another part of your body or a synthetic material. The amount of time this takes depends on how extensive the graft needs to be.

Once the abutment is in place, we will add a dental crown to complete your new tooth. You should be prepared to experience some bruising, swelling, and pain in the surgical area during this time. We recommend stocking up on soft foods and having ice packs handy to manage discomfort. It is also important to call the office immediately if you experience pain or anything that seems unusual.