Any kind of dental surgery can be scary to think about if you don’t understand what’s going to happen. Dental implants are no exception to that. However, if you understand the process you may find the experience to be much less stressful and scary.
Our goal is to educate you about the process of getting dental implant surgery. So that you can go into your appointment with confidence and ease your fears. Keep reading with us to learn more.
Dental Implant Procedure
If your dentist has suggested a dental implant for your missing tooth or teeth it’s important to know what to expect. There are certain measures you need to take before you go into your appointment. There are also some steps to take after your surgery to ensure your mouth heals correctly.
Before the Procedure
Your dentist will likely prescribe you antibiotics about two weeks before your surgery. It’s very important to make sure you take them as directed. You should also be sure to take the whole prescription.
When receiving any surgical implant your body’s immune system can start attacking the implant and causing it to swell or even fester. Because of this your dentist or doctor may give you immunosuppressants to take before the surgery. Antibiotics can act as a secondary immune system helping your body fight off any illness or infection while taking the medication.
Since you will also be under anesthesia you should fast for 12 hours before your surgery. You will also want to stock up on pain medications like acetaminophen before your surgery as well.
After the Procedure
After your procedure is through you will want to have someone to drive you home. The anesthesia will leave you feeling groggy for several hours and it won’t be safe for you to drive.
Eating soft foods after your surgery can be more comfortable and keep you from damaging your implant. Each person heals differently but its typically expected to take about 6 months to completely heal.
Your doctor may also prescribe oral antibiotics after the surgery. This is to make sure that the surgery site doesn’t become infected and that it heals correctly. Be sure to take all of the prescription as directed.
Where to Learn More About Dental Implants
If you’re wanting to learn more about dental implants. This site has great resources for all your dental related questions.
It’s also very important to ask your dentist about your individual case. Be sure to ask them any specific questions you may have about your surgery. Especially if you have any concerns about any part of the procedure.
We’re Here to Help
We hope you enjoyed this short article about dental implants. We also have other great articles over a variety of topics on our blog. Be sure to check them out and share this on social media with your friends and family.
