Dental Implant Healing Stages: King George Dental
What are Dental Implants?
Teeth implants are a long-lasting tooth replacement option. They’re titanium posts placed into the jawbone and used to support crowns, bridges, and dentures.
Dental implants can be used in place of missing teeth because they provide stability, strength, and function when placed in the jawline. This means you won’t need to worry about damaging your mouth or other neighboring teeth as you chew food!
When getting dental implants near you, you can choose between two types of implants: endosteal and subperiosteal. The endosteal implant is placed in the jawbone, while the subperiosteal is placed above the jaw.
The Implant Placement Procedure
Getting dental implants Surrey BC, will involve several steps that spread across a few months. The dentist will start by examining your jaw to determine if you are a candidate for the implants. If you lack sufficient bone support, a bone graft is done to increase bone density.
The dentist will drill the jaw and fix the implants in a process lasting 45 to 60 minutes. There are several risks associated with implant surgery:
- Infection
- Bleeding or swelling around the gums and cheeks
- Damage to nearby teeth or bone during surgery
However, these risks can be minimized by following your dentist’s instructions.
Dental Implant Healing Stages
Dental implant healing occurs in stages:
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Stage 1: Pain
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Stage 2: Osseointegration
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Stage 3: placement of the abutment
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Stage 4: Recovery
After dental implant surgery, patients experience pain and discomfort following the recovery phase. Pain medications will be prescribed to help manage the discomfort. Pain medication should be taken as soon as possible after the surgery.
Osseointegration is the process of integrating a dental implant into the bone. The implant is made of titanium and can be used to replace a missing tooth, for example. The process is important in dental implants because it helps to improve the success rate of implants.
These implants improve the quality of life for patients as they can enjoy eating and speaking without pain or discomfort.
The abutment is the metal post cemented into the bone and connected to the dental implant. An abutment can be placed in two different ways: It can be cemented into bone or be screwed onto a dental implant.
The first week following the dental implant surgery is critical for proper healing. Patients should drink plenty of fluids and avoid vigorous activity. During this time, they should also avoid brushing the implant site. This can irritate and inhibit the healing process. Gentle brushing using saltwater and antibacterial mouthwash is sufficient. After the first week, patients may begin eating firmer foods and exercising. However, they should avoid chewing hard foods on the implant site until the implant has fully healed.
Precautions to Take
Proper oral hygiene is crucial to the implant healing process. Brush, floss and rinse teeth with an antibacterial mouth rinse.
You may also consider using warm saltwater solution three to four times daily. Make sure you do this gently and without vigorous swishing. Your dentist will also advise you to use a toothbrush to clean around the implant and abutment.
Avoid strenuous physical activity or eating hard foods during the first few days after implant surgery. Smoking should also be avoided. Also, drinking water slowly through a straw is advised.
You may experience soreness and swelling in the area that will clear after a few days. However, visit a dentist near me if the pain persists. You may also need to take prescribed pain medications to manage the pain and swelling.
Preventive Care and Maintenance
Make sure you use a fluoride rinse for at least one minute in the morning and night or at least once every other day. If you prefer not to use a fluoride rinse, make sure you brush your teeth twice per week with regular toothpaste containing fluoride. Additionally, visit your dentist for regular checkups every six months (or sooner if there are any changes in your oral health).
Schedule an Appointment
Visit King George Dental Centre for more information about dental implants and what to expect during and after the procedure.