Dental implants are an effective solution for missing teeth, and with good care they can
last a lifetime. Preparing for dental surgery is the first step in dental implant care. Once
the implants have been fitted, brushing and flossing and regular dental visits keep them
looking good. Implants can replace a single tooth, a row of teeth or an entire set of
upper and lower jaw teeth.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants replace the roots of teeth as well as the crowns, which helps prolong
the life of remaining natural teeth around them, and maintains jaw bone support. A
single tooth implant consists of two parts: a post that sits in the jaw bone and a
replacement false tooth that’s attached to the post. If the implants are replacing a row
or set of teeth, the false teeth are anchored to several posts in the jaw. Dr. Lee fits the
posts in the jaw bone surgically, and when the bone has healed around the posts he
attaches the replacement teeth. Sometimes, posts and teeth can be fitted in one visit .
Before Restoration
Careful preparation for dental implant surgery increases the chances of a successful
outcome. Dr. Lee offers some tips to help prepare for implant surgery :
When scheduling surgery, inform Dr. Lee if you take other medications, such as blood
thinners. Your prescribing physician may need to alter your dose in preparation for the
operation.
Painkillers and antibiotics given prior to surgery can help to reduce your discomfort and
risk of infection.
If you’re nervous or stressed by the prospect of surgery, Dr. Lee can offer intravenous
sedation, oral moderate sedation or Nitros.
After Surgery
After surgery you may take a day or two to recover. Swelling and discomfort for the first
24 hours are normal. NO Driving home after the operation as you will be sedated.
Sit with your head elevated and avoid moving excessively for eight to 12 hours.
Hold an ice pack to your face at the surgery site for 20 minutes, then remove it for 20
minutes. Repeat as needed throughout the day to reduce swelling.
Eat and drink only soft foods and liquids for the first 48 hours after surgery, no direct
pressure on the newly implanted site for 8-12 weeks as directed by Dr. Lee.
Take all prescribed medicines as Dr. Lee has directed
For the first 24 hours, don’t rinse your mouth. Then, after meals, gently rinse your
mouth with warm salt water.
As You Heal
The gums and jaw bone can take up to nine months or as little as 12 weeks to heal and
adjust to the implant posts after surgery, depending on if any grafting was warranted at
the time of surgery. You may experience soreness in your gums for several weeks. A diet
of soft foods, cold foods and warm soup helps reduce discomfort. If you normally wear
dental restorations (denture or partial) that sit on the gum, Dr. Lee can advise on when
it’s safe to use them.
Long-term Care
Caring for dental implants continues long after Dr. Lee completes the treatment.
Brushing, flossing, rinsing and a schedule of regular dentist visits are essential to
maintain the implants’ appearance and reduce the chances of failure. You can use
toothpaste, toothbrush, floss and water pick to clean dental implants. At six-month
visits, Dr. Lee will take X-rays of the implants to check for bone loss around the posts ,
which is an early sign of failure. He also checks the health of the gums, and uses
specialized instruments to clean the implants.
It can take a while for patients to see the final results from dental implant surgery, but
the time and inconvenience are worth it. Dental implant care is similar to caring for
natural teeth, and the two are difficult to tell apart. When properly cared for you can
look forward to decades of healthy teeth and confident smiles.
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