What to Expect When Getting Dental Implants

Having that tooth loss is one of the most common dental problems in the world, dentistry has a couple of measures to resolve the issue. Tooth replacement procedures today are very effective and reliable, regardless of the number of teeth you are missing.

Dental implants, for instance, have become the go-to tooth replacement solution for patients looking for permanent results. The procedures are very popular, with thousands of patients getting tooth implants annually. However, wouldn’t it be wise to study up before the procedure to prepare for any risks and complications that may happen?

What Are Dental Implants?

They are small metal posts that appear like screws, which are inserted in the jawbone of a patient to replace lost teeth. they are surgically implanted in the jawbone, replacing the roots of teeth first. Dental implants are made of titanium, a type of metal that is very valuable in many surgical procedures in medicine.

When the metal post is erected in your jawbone, it is given some time to heal, allowing the material to integrate properly with the natural bone tissue of your mouth. Once healing has occurred, your dentist will schedule you for another procedure to cover the implant with another oral appliance. In many cases, a dental crown is used. However, on some occasions, dentures or dental bridges can also be employed to complete your tooth replacement treatment.

How Do Dental Implants Work?

Technically, an implant is needed for every tooth you are missing. This would imply that if you have four missing teeth, you would require dental implants. However, this may not be logical for treating patients with multiple missing teeth. dental implants are often quite ideal when used to replace single missing teeth. When you have multiple of them missing, your dentist will incorporate dental bridges and atrial dentures to complement your treatment.

Is the Process Painful?

Dental implants are installed through a surgical procedure. For the procedure to happen, sedation is necessary to help you remain calm throughout the treatment. Thanks to local anesthesia and sedatives used before the implantation process begins, the treatment will be painless.

However, after the numbness wears off from your mouth, you will experience soreness at the implantation site. The soreness will continue to wear off gradually as your mouth heals. Besides, your dentist will prescribe some medication that will help you manage your soreness as you recover and heal.

What Are the Possible Dental Implants Complications?

Like with any other surgeries, some risks and complications can arise when implants are installed in your jawbone. The dental implant risks do not always affect every patient. They include the following:

• Significant swelling of the gums and your face – inflammation of the implantation site is an expected dental implant side effect. However, if the swelling is too much, there may be a complication of the treatment. talk to your oral surgeon if you are concerned about the swelling in your face.
• Prolonged bleeding – having that getting same day-dental implants entails a surgical process bleeding is not unusual. However, this should be slight bleeding that stops after a day or two post-surgery. However, if you still experience a lot of bleeding several days after your treatment, you need to talk to your dentist about it.
• Excruciating pain – pain and discomfort are expected on the initial days after your treatment. The dentist should have you on pain-relieving medication to help you manage the discomfort. However, if your pain levels are unbearable, talk to your dentist about changing up your medicine.
• Infection at the implant site – the procedure of placing an implant leaves behind a wound. The wound should heal properly over a certain period, based on the measures your oral surgeon lays for you. However, there is the risk of infection that can happen post-surgery. It can be caused by the active bacteria in your mouth and plaque that forms with time. This is why it is important to keep up with proper oral hygiene even as you await full recovery of your mouth.
• Open wound – at the end of the procedure, the oral surgeon puts stitches on your mouth that help hold the gum tissue in place as it heals. The stitches should dissolve on their own with time. However, should the stitching come out before proper healing happens, you may have an open w0ound in your mouth. If you suspect this, call your dentist immediately.