If you are considering a dental implant service, you might be having so many questions related to this procedure. Such as how it is carried out? Is there any pain after the implan placement, when to consider follow-up with the dentist, etc. In this blog, you will get to know everything about dental implant dentistry and what you must expect after your dental implant surgery.
What is a dental implant and how the surgery is performed?
Dental implants are a popular dental procedure that helps to restore your natural smile and maintain the overall structure of the mouth. These are artificial teeth that are implanted into the mouth and jaw. Dental implants are the best choice for people who lose their adult teeth mainly due to aging. They are the best choice because they look and feel, and act like natural teeth.
Wondering how a dental implant looks like a natural tooth? Well, a dental implant is made of a titanium post covered by an artificial tooth, known as a crown. To ensure a strong structure, the implant is installed into the jawbone. This also helps in maintaining the position of the remaining teeth and allows the patient to enjoy natural chewing and biting.
Now let’s come to the dental implant procedure. Surgery can be performed in various steps based on the health of your jawbone and the type of implant you are getting. The implants are placed surgically within the jawbone. They replace the root area of the tooth with metal, screw-like posts and serve as the root of the artificial tooth. The process of a dental implant requires the jawbone to heal tightly around the dental implant area, also known as osseointegration. It must get absorbed into the gum line to look like a natural tooth. Most experts make use of titanium in this procedure because it fuses well the implant with the jawbone, remains intact, and won’t decay easily.
It would be correct to say that dental implant surgery is a great alternative to wearing dentures or having ill-fitting bridgework done.
Does it hurt after the dental implant is placed?
This is one of the common questions that most people have in their minds when considering dental implant surgery. The answer is Yes. Though you will not feel the pain or discomfort immediately after the placement of dental implants due to the sedation and numbing. However, after a few hours when the effect of sedation starts fading away, you will likely feel some pain and discomfort. A little pain and discomfort is absolutely normal for any surgical process such as dental implants. You can expect your pain to increase within 24-72 hours of your treatment. Here’s what you can experience after your dental implant surgery:
- Pain at the area of your dental implant surgery
- Swelling of the face and gums
- Staining of the gums or skin
- Minor bleeding
There are many over-the-counter medicines available to relieve the pain. However, it is advisable to consult your doctor and get a prescription for pain medication. Make sure to take the medicine as directed by your dentist. You can also try some home remedies to relieve the pain. For instance, you can try applying ice covered in a cloth to the cheek near the affected area at an interval of 10 minutes.
Tips for quick recovery after the dental implant surgery
For quick and easy recovery, make sure to follow all the instructions given to you by your doctor. Following all the instructions will help in the proper healing of your mouth. Additionally, it will minimize the risk of complications like an implant infection such as peri-implantitis. Also, don’t expect that you may heal completely within these many days. The healing period may vary from person to person and factors like the jaw bone quality, the number of implants placed, the complexity of the procedure, etc.
You just have to focus on taking proper care of your implants to achieve a speedy recovery and make your implants a successful procedure. Here are some of the key tips for quick healing after getting your dental implants:
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Staying hydrated helps to heal the tissue damage by increasing the growth of tissues.
- To prevent the chances of stains or any damage to your implants, it is advisable to eat soft foods such as soup, yogurt, etc. Avoid hard-to-chew foods completely for a few days. Also, avoid direct contact with extreme hot or cold foods.
- Avoid chewing tobacco and smoking completely as they reduce the flow of blood through the jaw and slow down the healing process.
- Take all the medicines prescribed by your dentist on time to relieve pain and prevent inflammations that can lead to further complications.
- Include highly nutritious food in your diet like protein shakes, eggs, broccoli, and others. These types of food items help to fuse your jawbone with the implants easily and quickly.
- Make sure to maintain a proper oral hygiene routine. Brush your teeth and gums twice a day to prevent the growth of bacteria and germs. Be very gentle while brushing the implant area. You must avoid brushing the implant area until the tenderness is gone.
When to consider follow up with the dentist
As we have mentioned above in the blog that little pain and discomfort is normal in implant surgery, you can take the medicines prescribed by your dentist. However, if you notice continuous pain or worsening of symptoms like swelling of gums and face, staining, or bleeding even after several days of the surgery, you must contact your dentist or oral surgeon immediately. The problem may be an indication of implant issues that require to be addressed by a professional. Ignoring the pain or discomfort for long may worsen your dental surgery and you may not get the desired result from your dental implantation surgery.
Conclusion:
Dental implants are one of the best and comfortable alternatives to dentures. Implants not only help to restore jaw support but also help in controlling facial aging, improving facial appearance, as well as speech. To get all these benefits, make sure to choose professionals who are well experienced in the field of dental implant dentistry and one such name is TruCare Dentistry. At TruCare, we have a team of experts who assure higher success chances of your dental implant surgery. TO know more about this procedure, feel free to connect with us or you can schedule your visit by fixing an appointment at TruCare Dentistry.