Missing or severely decayed teeth may hinder you from smiling naturally or talking comfortably among your peers. Missing teeth also contribute to bone loss, resulting in hollow cheeks, affecting your physical appearance further. Fortunately, the Gentle Touch PC specialists offer dental implants Falls Church which restore your smile and prevent further bone loss. Don’t let missing teeth interfere with your smile when there are simple dental prosthetics that can replace them.
When should you get dental implants?
Dental implants are dental prosthetics that replace missing tooth roots, providing a sturdy foundation for artificial removable or permanent teeth. These implants are screw-like titanium posts that restore your smile without worrying about them rusting over time. Your implant surgery depends on the type of implant and the health condition of your jawbone.
If you have missing or excessively damaged teeth, you may be eligible for dental implants. If you have a chronic disease like leukemia or diabetes or are a smoker, you may not be qualified for dental implants. You may need to consult your Gentle Touch PC specialist to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. Your doctor may conduct a thorough dental and inform you whether you need any additional treatments, such as a bone graft, before placing your implants.
What should you expect during a dental implant surgery?
Implant surgery is an outpatient procedure that occurs in several stages with adequate healing time. Your procedure may involve removing the damaged tooth, bone grafting, if necessary, placement of the implant, bone growth, abutment placement, and finally, placement of your artificial tooth. It may take a few weeks to complete the entire procedure, but you go home with a brilliant attractive smile on your final appointment. If your jawbone is not sturdy enough to support the implants, your provider may recommend bone grafting to strengthen your jawbone.
Your doctor creates a small incision into your gum during your surgery and drills tiny holes into your jawbone to place the implant. Afterward, you may need to allow the healing and integration of the implant with your jawbone before the placement of your abutment.
What happens during the recovery period?
After your implant surgery, you may feel pain at the surgical site, minor bleeding, swelling of your face, and bruising of your gums. These side effects go away a few days after your procedure. Your provider may prescribe antibiotics to minimize the pain and swelling. If the pain or swelling worsens, call your provider immediately. You may also need to create some dietary tweaks during your recovery.
Your provider may recommend taking soft foods and drinks until the incisions heal. For your implants to last longer, you may need to adopt good oral hygiene, quit smoking, go for routine visits for professional teeth cleaning and maintain the proper functioning of your implants. You may also need to avoid chewing hard objects such as hard candy, damaging your artificial crowns, or even your natural teeth.
To explore the excellent results of dental implants, call the Gentle Touch PC office or book your spot online today.
