Many Australians struggle with missing teeth. Whether you have one missing tooth or several, they can cause health issues, including further tooth loss, cavities, and jawbone degradation. Missing teeth can also cause emotional distress, making people self-conscious when they smile or talk, especially if the gaps are prominent.
While there are several options for missing tooth replacement, only one is permanent. Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth and also provide a variety of health benefits. If you’ve decided to get dental implants, you might be wondering what to expect after dental implant surgery so you can better plan for your procedure.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants consist of three parts: The implant, a tiny ball-like attachment called an abutment, and an artificial tooth or crown, which is the only visible part.
The dental implant, a tiny titanium screw, sits directly inside your jaw, which is why it can provide such significant health benefits. Unlike removable tooth replacement options like dentures, dental implants last for life and fuse with your jawbone, eventually acting just like a natural tooth root.
Getting Your Dental Implants
There are several steps involved in receiving your dental implants. The first is an initial consultation with your dentist, who performs a thorough examination and asks about your medical history to determine whether you’re a candidate for dental implant surgery. Besides confirming that your jawbone has enough density to support an implant, your dentist also checks that your gums are healthy and you don’t have any chronic illnesses which could impact your healing abilities.
Once cleared for dental implants, you can schedule the date of your surgery. During your dental implant surgery, you may be sedated to make you more comfortable. Once sedated, your dentist makes an incision in your gum and then places the dental implant into your jaw. Finally, they close the incision, ensuring everything is clean.
What to Expect After Dental Implant Surgery: Recovery
Within a day after your dental implant surgery, you can expect to return to work. While some people return the day of the surgery, you may experience some sleepiness or nausea for 24 hours following the procedure if you have sedation.
Although you can return to work, you may need to follow a restricted diet for several days or a week, including refraining from eating hard or chewy foods, not using straws, and keeping your food at a medium temperature. Ask your dentist if you don’t understand your recovery instructions or want recommendations for over-the-counter medication.
About 14 days after your dental implant surgery, you can return to your dentist to have your stitches removed.
To help your body recover faster, refrain from smoking and playing contact sports.
After having your stitches removed, you need to wait for three to six months for your dental implants to fuse to your jawbone, in a process called osseointegration. Once your dentist is happy with the fusion, they can schedule a second surgery to place the abutment, which has a similar recovery time to the first dental implant surgery.
After you’ve healed, you see your dentist again to create your artificial tooth. Finally, your dentist can fit the crown at your last appointment, checking the bite and ensuring it matches your smile.
What to Expect After Dental Implant Surgery: Benefits
Dental implant surgery has many benefits. One of the most important has to do with the osseointegration process. Because the dental implant fuses to your jawbone, it prevents bone loss, which can cause a misshapen jaw, making it harder to chew and affecting your self-esteem.
Additionally, it’s hard to thoroughly clean gaps in your teeth, which could cause gum infections or cavities in surrounding teeth. Dental implants are as easy to clean as natural teeth. By following a regular oral hygiene routine, including brushing and flossing twice daily, you can reduce your chances of developing an infection or cavity.
Another benefit of dental implants is their longevity. The titanium implant can last for decades, meaning you probably won’t ever need to replace it. The visible tooth replacement’s longevity depends on the material, with replacements lasting from 15-25 years. To prolong your crown’s lifespan, avoid drinking staining liquids, like coffee or red wine, frequently. If you do have a drink, try to brush your teeth soon after or rinse with water.
A missing tooth can cause other teeth to fall out as well. Because dental implants mimic natural teeth, they also help to prevent further tooth loss. If you already have multiple missing teeth, you can receive a dental implant bridge, which can help replace several missing teeth at once and provide stability for your remaining natural teeth.
A benefit that many patients appreciate is the ability to eat their favourite foods again. Unlike dentures, which often slip, dental implants are stable enough that you can chew a tender piece of steak or easily snack on a slice of pizza. Instead of worrying about whether your dentures will fall out or choosing a meal based on its softness, you can order anything on the menu.
Fix Your Smile With No Gaps Dental
If you’re ready to fix your smile and learn more about how dental implants can benefit you, call the team at No Gaps Dental today on (02) 8806 0227. We’ll schedule you for an initial consultation where your dentist can determine if you’re a candidate for dental implant surgery. Our team is happy to answer any questions you may have about the procedure, our financing options, or scheduling requests. Call today and start on the road towards a beautiful, full smile.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.