Are you considering getting dental implants? If so, you may be wondering how to prepare and what to expect from the procedure. Luckily, dental implant procedures are exceedingly common in today’s world and there is plenty of information available.
Here are a few tips that will help you get ready for your upcoming procedure and what you can expect before, during, and after:
Preparing for Dental Implants
Before getting dental implants, you will need to undergo some thorough medical evaluations. This is because implants are a surgical procedure that may involve your oral health, the care of an ear, nose, and throat specialist, and more. Just a few of the specialists that may be involved in performing your pre-surgery evaluations include:
- A dentist
- An oral and maxillofacial surgeon
- A periodontist
- A prosthodontist
- An ENT (ear, nose and throat specialist)
Some of the testing that may be required before your surgery include:
- A comprehensive dental exam in which your teeth, mouth, jaws and overall health will be evaluated.
- A discussion with your provider about your entire medical history (as some conditions can cause surgical complications).
- The formation of a treatment plan to help you prepare for and get through the recovery from your procedure.
In general, there is little preparation that patients must do on their own. Attending all of your pre-procedure appointments is the most important thing you can do to be ready.
What to Expect from Your Surgery
What does dental implant surgery involve? The following steps are a guideline for what will occur during your procedure:
- Thorough cleaning of the mouth and administration of anesthetic and/or anesthesia. Talk to your doctor beforehand to determine what type of pain control will be best for you.
- Removal of damaged or broken tooth material.
- Preparation of the jawbone when required, including bone grafting.
- Placement of the dental implant.
After your implant is placed, there will be a short period of recovery required before your specialist can proceed with the treatment. This usually takes a few months while your implant bonds with your jawbone.
During the next phase, your dental provider will place an abutment, or the piece that attaches your implant to the artificial tooth. This is generally done with local anesthesia only. If the tooth is not already attached to the abutment, you will need another two weeks of heal time before your artificial tooth is placed.
After each step of your procedure, you should expect minor swelling and pain in the area, potential bruising and swelling of the face, minor bleeding in the surrounding area of the mouth, and some mild pain. If you are having trouble dealing with any of this, talk to your provider right away for help.
For more information on preparing for dental implants, talk to your Reston implant dentist today. They can prepare you for your procedure and help things go smoothly from start to finish.
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