Investing in dental implants can give you a more confident smile and restore your oral health. Dental implants fuse to the jawbone and promote jawbone growth, allowing them to mimic natural teeth. Discover what you can expect from your dental implants before and after surgery.
Why Choose Dental Implant Surgery?
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Dental implants are long-lasting
Many dental restorations require replacement over time. However, dental implants last significantly longer than bridges or dentures. Your implant can last for about 10 to 15 years until the abutment and crown need replacement.
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Permanent solution
Dental implants are made from small titanium rods that sit directly in the jaw permanently and fuse over time. They do not depend on other teeth for support.
Eating and drinking with dental implants can also feel more natural as dental implants have similar strength and stability to that of a natural tooth.
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Prevent bone loss
Bone loss is common among older Australian patients over the age of 65. The average Australian adult has an average of 5.52 missing teeth. Since dental implants act as a tooth root, they stimulate the bone tissue to prevent bone resorption.
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High success rate
Since titanium is a biocompatible material in dental implants, your body is less likely to reject them. They are the most effective surgical implant available today, with a success rate as high as 94-97% in older patients and 88-99% in younger patients.
Dental Implants Before and After: What to Expect on the Treatment
To help you make the right decision for your oral health, you need to understand what to expect from dental implants before and after the treatment, including the cost, whether you are eligible, and how long the procedure takes.
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Are you a candidate for dental implants?
Before you can receive an implant, you need to go for an initial consultation to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. After taking digital images of your mouth, your dentist can tell you if a dental implant is right for you when you meet the following criteria:
- A completely developed and healthy jawbone
- No ongoing gum disease
- No conditions that result in bone loss
- No history of smoking
Gum disease and smoking increase the likelihood of dental implant failure. If you quit smoking or take steps to improve your health over time, you may be eligible for a dental implant at a future appointment.
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How long does it take to get implants?
A dental implant operation requires up to six months of surgery and testing but may take longer if you need additional surgeries like a bone graft. Dental implant surgery is performed in several stages, including embedding the implant post, the addition of the abutment, then placing the dental restoration.
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How much do dental implants cost?
They can be expensive at thousands of dollars per tooth. Your dentist can answer your questions about dental implant before and after maintenance, payment options, and follow-up appointments.
Dental Implants Before and After: How to Care for Dental Implants After Surgery
To prolong the life of your dental implants and ensure rapid recovery, you need to care for your implants properly after surgery. Your No Gaps Dental dentist will provide you with a list of aftercare instructions following your surgery, which may include:
- Avoid eating and drinking for several hours after surgery. Dental implant procedures are performed under local anaesthetic, which can take 4-6 hours to wear off. If you eat during this time, you risk biting or burning your mouth’s soft tissue.
- Rest for several days after surgery. Avoid strenuous activity that includes bending and lifting heavy objects for at least 72 hours after surgery. These activities can increase the pressure inside your head, potentially dislodging the blood clot in the socket and disturbing sutures. Rest with your head elevated on a cushion to reduce post-operative swelling.
- Take over the counter medications. Over-the-counter pain-relieving medication can reduce any discomfort you may experience after surgery. It is normal for the implant site to feel tender for several days after surgery. However, if pain persists longer than a week, call your dentist immediately.
- Use cold therapy. Applying an ice pack intermittently for 15 minutes at a time can reduce swelling and numb the area to minimise discomfort.
- Rinse with saltwater. Though you can brush your remaining teeth as normal after surgery, you should avoid brushing over the implant site to avoid bleeding and irritation. However, you can rinse with a solution made from 1 teaspoon of table salt and 1 cup of warm water. Getting rid of food particles and bacteria by rinsing morning, evening, and after eating can reduce the risk of infection.
- Eat soft foods. Eating may be difficult for up to 2 weeks after dental implant surgery. Soft foods, such as smoothies, lukewarm soups, mashed potatoes, steamed fish, and scrambled eggs, minimise irritation and help you regain strength faster.
What Life Is Like After a Dental Implant Surgery Treatment: Caring for Your Implants?
Dental implants are designed to function like your natural teeth. So, after implant surgery, you can expect to have full eating, chewing, and speaking functionality.
Caring for your dental implants is similar to caring for your natural teeth. Ensure you maintain a regular oral hygiene routine by brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
However, you may need to modify your flossing technique around your dental implants. When gums grow around the dental implant, they do not attach to the stable periodontal ligament. Instead, they fuse to the gum tissue using what is called a peri-implant seal. This seal is not as strong as a ligament bond.
Vigorous flossing can disturb the peri-implant seal, potentially introducing bacteria into the gum pocket, and subsequently, the jawbone. This can lead to severe infection and increase the risk of implant rejection.
When flossing, opt for a Waterpik water-jet flosser or use a non-abrading floss threader that allows you to gently floss around the implant without damaging the gum pocket.
Create a Winning Smile With Dental Implants From No Gaps Dental
At No Gaps Dental, we can discuss how dental implants can increase your quality of life when missing teeth. We can answer any questions you may have about dental implants before and after surgery and assess if you are suitable for the procedure.
Call us today on (02) 8806 0227 or you can book an online appointment at any of our 15 dental locations to begin your journey to a fully restored smile.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.