Dental implants are a wonderful option for restoring smiles. Long-lasting and reliable, your dental implants will look and feel just like your natural teeth. And with proper care, they will last a lifetime! Your mouth will need a little TLC as it heals from the dental implant procedure. Follow these dental implant aftercare tips, and it won’t be long before you’re enjoying your beautiful, stronger-than-ever smile.
- What Happens During the Dental Implant Procedure?
- What to Expect After Dental Implants
- Caring for Your New Dental Implant
What Happens During the Dental Implant Procedure?
Dental implants have the same functionality as natural teeth because they are anchored directly into the jawbone. During the dental implant procedure, your doctor will place a biocompatible titanium post into the jawbone. One post is required for each new tooth that will be anchored.
If you are missing multiple teeth, you might be a good candidate for a full mouth restoration. This treatment creates a whole new smile using as little as four to six dental implants.
After the procedure, there will be a healing period during which the bone tissue fuses with the posts. Once the mouth has healed to create a solid foundation, your crowns will then be placed.
What to Expect After Dental Implants
After your dental implant procedure, you’ll need to follow your doctor’s aftercare instructions carefully for an optimal outcome. If you were sedated for the procedure, you will need someone to drive you to the appointment, remain with you during the procedure, and bring you home afterward.
For a few days following the surgery, it’s normal to experience a little discomfort, bleeding, and swelling. You may be advised to take an over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen, which can also help with swelling, or given a prescription medication to manage the discomfort.
To minimize swelling, you can apply a cold pack to the area. Gel packs and bags of crushed ice are good options because they are pliable and will mold to the shape of your face. After the first twenty-four hours, you can gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water a few times each day. This rinse will help keep the area clean after eating and may reduce any pain or swelling as well.
Caring For Your New Dental Implant
It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions for keeping your new implant clean. Poor hygiene can lead to infection and even ultimately implant failure.
The day of your procedure, you can very gently brush and floss the area but avoid rinsing until the following day. You may also be given a special brush to use to carefully clean around the top of the implant.
For a few days following your surgery, you will want to choose soft foods that are easy on your new smile. You can return to your usual diet after three or four days, but avoid biting down on the implant area until it’s fully healed. Planning your meals ahead of time will help make it easier to stick to a soft diet. Soft, protein-rich foods like yogurt, protein drinks, and ground meats are good choices for healing nutrition.
Additionally, you should also drink plenty of water, but avoid using a straw for the first forty-eight hours. The suction created by the straw could aggravate bleeding. You also shouldn’t smoke, which will impede the healing process.
If you grind your teeth at night, ask your dentist about using a night guard after implant surgery to protect the implant.
After you have completed the healing process, you will return to your dentist for your handcrafted custom crowns. Your dentist will place them on top of the implants. The crowns will perfectly match the surrounding teeth, making you the proud owner of a beautiful, fully functioning smile!
Dental Implants in Madison, Wisconsin
Are you missing one or more teeth and interested in a permanent smile solution? Please call our office today to schedule an appointment to discuss whether dental implants are right for you. Affiliated Dentists offers family, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, including dental implants in Madison, Wisconsin.
Dental Implant Aftercare Tips brought to you by Dr. Mark Gustavson
