Tips To Prepare For Your Dental Implant Procedure
Posted on: 1 May 2015
If you have decided to have dental implants installed to correct an orthodontic problem, you need to be aware of how to prepare for the surgery, what to expect, and what to do during the recovery phase. During this time, make sure that you follow all of your oral surgeon's instructions.
Preparing for the Surgery
Before your surgery, you will have consultations with doctors and specialists to measure your jaw, gauge how much bone is present to determine the best type of implants, and have CT scans done. During this time, it is important that you continue to eat healthy meals and keep up with your oral health. Calcium- and protein-rich foods are important to help promote the health of your jaw and gums. You will also be asked to choose between local and general anesthesia. Talk to your oral surgeon to find out the risks associated with each one.
What to Expect During Your Surgery
Before your surgery, you will need to not eat or drink for eight to twelve hours, depending on the type of sedation you have chosen. If you chose general anesthesia, you should arrange for someone to drive you home from your surgery. The surgery is considered an outpatient procedure so there is no hospital stay required.
After your implant procedure is done, you will receive a prescription for medication to help with the pain and discomfort. You may experience slight bleeding and swelling. This can be alleviated with an ice pack and gauze. Remember to get plenty of rest.
Aftercare for Your Procedure
In the weeks following the procedure, you will be given antibiotics to help combat any chance of infection. Take the entire course. You can return to work the day after surgery, but you may continue to experience pain and discomfort for up to two weeks following the procedure. During this time, you should also continue to keep up with oral hygiene to prevent further or lasting injury to your gums. If you do not keep the area clean, the implant may fail, which will require removal of the old implant and rehabilitative measures to install a new one. After appropriate recovery time, you will be fitted for your permanent crowns and they will be installed.
Getting dental implants is a major decision that should be approached with the same care as any surgical procedure. If you have any questions about the procedure, be sure to ask your dentist. Once the operation is completed, after care is just as vital to ensure the implants do not fail. With proper care, dental implants should last as long as the rest of your natural teeth.
For more information about the procedure, contact a company like Great Plains Oral Surgery And Implant Center.
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