A dental implant procedure is a long process. Find out the things that you need to do to prepare for its multiple procedures.
Dental implants are one of the best teeth replacement methods. The process is not easy, but it will be worth it! Here’s how to prepare for dental implants: first, you need to take small preparational steps to help your body get ready for all of the procedures, and then others that will help you heal after oral surgeries. We’ll start with some basic information about dental implants before diving into what you should know before undergoing this procedure.
1.) Get a Comprehensive Dental Examination
This step is a must. You need to make sure that you have healthy teeth and gums before getting dental implants. If there are unhealthy spots on your mouth, they will be addressed in this process. For more details, book a consultation with the Bridgewater Family Dental clinic.
Two of the most common problems for oral health include gum disease (also known as periodontitis) and bone loss. Gum disease is when your gums become inflamed and start to pull away from the bones of your jaws. This can be caused by bacteria or plaque build-up, so you need to ensure that you take care of them with regular cleanings at your dental office.
Bone loss should be addressed as well. Tooth loss can cause muscle atrophy, bone deterioration, and a shifting of the remaining teeth due to a lack of support with your jawbone. Dental implants will help bring back balance to your mouth, so you don’t experience these problems in the future after getting dental implants.
2.) Take Antibiotics if Necessary
A dental implant procedure will involve surgery, so you need to ensure that your body is healthy enough for anesthesia. This can be done during a comprehensive exam. If medications or other conditions interfere with the process, antibiotics may be required before getting dental implants.
This should not cause any alarm as antibiotics are very common. You may be able to take them with a glass of water at home a few days before your dental implant procedure, or they can be given during the surgery itself if you have fasted for several hours beforehand.
In some cases, antibiotics will need to be taken for longer than usual before getting dental implants. It’s important to discuss this with your dentist.
3.) Prepare Your Body for the Procedure
You can reduce the pain you feel during your dental implant procedure by preparing your body beforehand. You must stop smoking at least six months before getting dental implants. Smoking and other tobacco products will cause tissue damage, which makes it harder to heal after surgery.
It might take two weeks or up to six months for your mouth to heal correctly after getting dental implants. You should only eat soft foods that are easy on the implant sites and chew with either side of your jaw during this time. It’s important not to stress or force chewing during this period because it can damage healing gum tissue around the area where a dental implant was placed.
4.) Schedule Some Downtime and Aftercare Procedures
After every procedure, there is a period of downtime where your body needs to heal. This will usually take around two weeks for dental implant surgery. If you have any concerns during this time, don’t hesitate to contact our office or check with the doctor administering your anesthesia before getting dental implants.
Aftercare procedures are also crucial after every practice and should be scheduled with your dental office. This is how you can ensure that everything heals properly and any problems are addressed early on before they become more severe.
It’s essential to follow all of the instructions provided by your doctor after getting dental implants so that the process goes as smoothly as possible, which means no smoking, exercising, or drinking through a straw. For more information, book an appointment with the Bridgewater Family Dental clinic.
