Many people don’t realize that tooth loss is an incredibly common dental issue, and a very high percentage of adults will lose one or more teeth in their lifetime the older they get. If you are having a tooth extracted or have already lost a tooth, then you might want to spend a little bit of time researching how dental implants work and what benefits they provide for what to do to fix the new gap in your smile. Below is a general timeline of the process of getting a dental implant.
Initial Consultation
Well before the implant procedure is carried out, you will need to schedule a consultation with your dentist so that they can carefully inspect your teeth and gums. Even though the dental implant procedure has a high success rate, your dentist will need to be sure that you don’t have any underlying health issues that must be addressed first. They will also need to take multiple images of your mouth so that they can create a personalized implant that matches the rest of the teeth and the general fit of your mouth. This will ensure that the implant sits neatly and comfortably among the rest of your teeth.
The Procedure
This procedure generally takes around one or two hours to complete, but your operation might last longer if multiple implants are going to be used or other treatments are carried out. When you arrive at the dental implant center, such as Total Freedom Dental Implant Center, you are going to be given a local anesthetic that completely numbs the mouth or a general anesthetic that puts you completely to sleep. Once the anesthetic has been administered, the team can then anchor the implant into the jaw and attach the crown.
Recovering
What takes place during your recovery is going to come down to many different factors, and that includes your overall health and what types of implants were used. As a general rule, patients should plan on relaxing at home for at least a few days while the anchors settle and the surrounding tissue heals. Most patients fully recover within a week or two, and that is when you will be able to resume all of your normal dietary practices.
Caring for Your Implants
Taking care of an implant is very easy, and you won’t need to worry about using any unique products. To care for your implant, all you will need to do is brush, floss, and use mouthwash multiple times a day. An implant can be cleaned just like any other tooth, and it should last for decades with the proper care and good hygiene habits.
Tooth loss might not seem like a major medical issue, but missing one or more teeth can have a huge impact on your quality of life as well as your general health. Those are just a few of the reasons why everyone should immediately seek out an experienced dentist if they have lost a tooth or have severely damaged teeth.
