Are you thinking about getting a dental implant? Well, is that intimidating and scary? If you are aware of what to expect during the dental implant process, then you do not have to be scary about that. First, let us discuss what a dental implant is.
What is dental implant?
If you want to replace your missing teeth, now there are many options available. One of the popular options is a dental implant. It is usually made up of titanium and is placed surgically by a dental specialist or a dentist. It is meant to imitate the tooth root and is placed into the jaw bone. CThe length of time required for a dental implant placement depends on several factors like your dental teeth, which teeth needs to be replaced, the number of teeth involved, and whether a tooth must be extracted before implant placement. The number of visits to the dentist which you need to make throughout your treatment period also depends on these factors. For example, it will take 1 to 2 hours, typically including the time for anesthesia and to dress a patient for a surgical environment, and do a single tooth implant surgery.
There will be little discomfort after the treatment like any other surgery. But at the time of procedure, local anesthesia and I.V. will be given to avoid any discomfort for the patient. To ease the discomfort that may occur; you can get prescriptions from your doctor. It depends on the patient too. Some patients feel much more comfortable after the dental implant than they had anticipated.
Pre-operative instructions for the surgery:
Some of the pre-operative instructions that might be provided by your dentist include:
- You may need to rinse your mouth with the special anti-bacterial mouthwash.
- As a preventive measure, your dentist may prescribe a few antibiotics to take for some days prior to surgery.
- Unless you plan to have the procedure done under I.V., you might be asked to eat a good breakfast on the surgery day. But, if you are planning to undergo I.V. sedation, you should not eat anything from the midnight before surgery.
- If you elect to take I.V. sedation, then you might need to make anyone available to take you for an appointment and leave your home.
What happens on the surgery day?
There are two phases involved to restore your mouth with a dental implant and it can take around 6 to 9 months to complete the whole process. You will be given local anesthesia to thoroughly numb your mouth in the surgical phase. After the treatment, it is usual to have some swelling in the gum and some bruises. If you feel any discomfort, you can treat that with even an ordinary painkiller and you can expect to work the next day.
Just like your natural teeth, you should check your new implant tooth regularly. Visit your dentist every six months or as advised. As recommended by your dentist, brush and floss the implant tooth.
Potential complications:
There can be an infection around the bones and gums surrounding the implant tooth, your body may reject the dental implant, there can be loss of bone around the implant, or your implant may fail to adhere to the bone.
Get to know more about the dental implant process and the complications involved in that by doing your own research before you plan to do one. Also, it is recommended to consult with your dentist to know whether the dental implant is the right option for you.