Getting a dental implant is one of the most effective and permanent ways to replace missing teeth. If you are planning to undergo the procedure, here are some tips to guide you during the time before the surgery and the period that follows:
Before the Procedure
- Ask your dentist if you will be sedated during the procedure. If you will, you must not eat anything 8-12 hours before the surgery. This reduces the chances of you getting nauseated afterward. If local anesthesia will be used, however, there is no eating restriction.
- Smoking is bad for your dental health in general. When you are about to undergo dental implant surgery, it is even more dangerous. Nicotine reduces blood flow and after the surgery, you need sustained blood flow for quick and thorough healing. Ideally, you should stop smoking 2 weeks before the procedure.
- Go to the dental facility with a friend or family member. You may be too groggy to drive yourself back home.
After the Procedure
- The sutures used during implant surgery are dissolvable so there is no need to remove them afterward. There may be minimal bleeding, find some gauze and bite down on it softly till the bleeding subsides.
- Remind your dentist to give you a list of foods you can eat during the weeks that follow the surgery. Adhere strictly to the instructions.
- As you recover, you need to maintain proper dental hygiene. A part of your gum is exposed and vulnerable to infection, and you must not let bacteria sit in your mouth for long. Brush and floss twice daily and clean the area surrounding the affected gum regularly.
You will be able to move around the day after the surgery, however, be careful not to over-exert yourself. Also, visit your dentist once every 3 months for checkups and professional cleaning. If you are considering getting dental implants, get in touch with the experts at Smile Artisans for a consultation, call 832-220-6087 to make an appointment.