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DentalHealth

Before and After Recommendations for Dental Implants

Bellevue dental implants have gained significant popularity as an ideal alternative to options like bridges during teeth replacement treatments. However, there are a few things your dentist might consider before recommending the process. For instance, your dentist will determine if you have enough healthy bone in your jaw to ensure your results are functional, comfortable, and natural like your original teeth. The best part is that having insufficient bone material cannot stand in your way of restoring your beautiful smile. In such an instance, a bone graft may be recommended.  

Is the process of getting dental implants painful?

Some processes you are likely to have during the placement might be painful. However, your dentist will administer a sedative and local anesthesia to make the process less painful. Your dentist might advise you not to eat crunchy foods during the entire treatment until he secures the new crown on your implant.  

What are your possible recommendations before and after the treatment?

Before

Before you opt for the procedure, your dentist will guide you through the benefits and potential risks and evaluate if you are fit for the process. There are a few recommendations you should have in mind. For instance:

  • Your overall health determines whether you are suitable for dental implants, how long you might take to heal, and the duration it will take the prosthesis to stay in position.
  • You might quit smoking if you do since it affects your healing process, minimizing the implant’s long-term success.
  • Ask your dentist about the brand and model of the implant system to know what it is in your mouth and for future reference.
  • Your healing process may take longer. Therefore your dentist may recommend a temporary abutment you will use in the meantime until you recover completely.

After the process:

  •  Ensure you schedule regular follow-up appointments with your dentist to monitor the progress
  • Contact your dentist when you notice the implant starts to loosen or gets painful
  • Follow your dentist’s oral hygiene instructions, paying careful attention to your implant and your surrounding teeth to allow the implant to serve you longer.

What are the risks you are likely to have with dental implants?

Though the implants will help restore your smile and chewing ability, the treatment has risks. For instance:

  • You might incur various injuries, including a fracture on your surrounding jawbone, during the process
  • Your surrounding teeth may get damaged during placement of the implant
  • You might have injuries like sinus perforation to your surrounding tissues
  • You are likely to feel inadequate teeth function. For instance, you might feel like your teeth do not bite together as expected
  • You may have post-op numbness because of nerve impingement
  • You might experience implant body failure because of issues like:
  1. Systemic infection that will most likely affect you if you have uncontrolled diabetes
  2. Delayed healing, especially if you smoke
  3. Local infection in your jawbone and gum supporting the prosthesis

Dental implants will significantly enhance your overall health and quality of life. Unfortunately, complications may occur immediately after the dental placement or later during the recovery phase. Complications may cause implant failure, forcing your dentist to schedule another procedure to replace the implant or fix it. Schedule an appointment with your dentist to know how to better your life with dental implants.