Managing Your Expectations for Dental Implant Surgery
Dental implant surgery isn’t unbearable but you need to take the right precautions
Some dental procedures are a bit more intensive than others. Dental implant surgeries are a prime example. Around 3 million Americans have received dental implants. Approximately 500,000 more people get them every year.
You might be nervous about undergoing a dental implant procedure. You might be worried that it will go awry or you might face some complications afterwards.
Fortunately, the risk of complications is very low. Around 98% of all dental implants are installed successfully.
Nevertheless, there are some things that you need to keep in mind before going through this procedure. You need to make sure that you don’t do anything that could keep the implants from setting properly. You also have to manage your pain and minimize the risk of infection.
Here are some things that you need to know before going through a dental implant surgery. It is important to familiarize yourself with these guidelines.
Know whether or not a dental implant is appropriate for you
Dental implants can be the perfect solution to tooth loss for many people. However, they are not the best option for everybody.
The Mayo Clinic has some guidelines on determining whether or not they are the right treatment. Of course, you should speak with your dentist, as they can give better advice than the general rules of thumb listed below. You can look at some pictures to see what to expect. Nevertheless, the guidelines listed below are useful:
- You are missing at least one tooth
- Your jawbone has completed growing
- You have enough bone material to hold the implant or can at least get bone grafts otherwise
- Periodontal disease or other forms of gum disease are so advanced that the bone can’t heal
- You aren’t suffering from bone cancer, an immune system disorder or other health problem that impedes bone healing
- You are not a chronic tobacco user
- Dentures are not an option
You should speak closely with your dentist. They will help you explore your options and decide whether or not an implant is your best option.
Have a sensible pain management plan in place
Although dental implants are a fairly invasive surgery, they are not excruciatingly painful. The majority of patients report feeling fairly comfortable afterwards.
However, there will still be at least some mild pain. Your dentist can help you take the edge off with an anesthesia and a course of pain medications. You are going to need to advocate for yourself if the pain medication is not sufficient.
However, there will still be at least some mild pain. Your dentist can help you take the edge off with an anesthesia and course of pain medications. You are going to need to advocate for yourself if the pain medication is not sufficient.
What should you do after the implant surgery is completed?
You are going to be thrilled when the implant procedure is completed. You will finally feel like you have your tooth back, even if it is artificial. Your quality-of-life will gradually improve and the uncomfortable surgery will be over.
However, you aren’t going to be entirely out of the woods yet. Dentists are great about making sure patients don’t have to do a lot afterwards. But you will still need to look out for certain symptoms and make sure your implant is properly maintained.
You need to monitor your gums carefully. There is always a possibility of an infection after any oral surgery that involves cutting into them. Redness is a sign of inflammation that you need to talk to your dentist about.
It is also important to make sure the implant sets properly. There is always a small chance that they won’t. The risk is higher if you put too much strain on the implant before it is ready.
Finally, it is essential to clean your implant carefully. It should be brushed just like any other tooth. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that it can’t suffer from tooth decay from bacteria.
Always talk to your dentist about the risks and maintenance needs. Do you want to follow their guidelines carefully to make sure your implant works the way it is supposed to.
Dental implant surgery isn’t unbearable but you need to take the right precautions
There are a lot of factors that you need to look at when undergoing dental implant surgery. It is important to make sure that you follow the right steps to avoid potential issues.
