If you’ve recently lost a tooth or teeth, you are hyper-aware of the negative impacts it’s had on your life – difficulties eating and speaking, as well as self-confidence issues that hold you back both in a personal and professional setting.
While dentures have traditionally been an option for senior adults, innovation in the dental field now provides more practical solutions — such as dental implants — for all ages.
WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS?
Dental implants are artificial teeth that look and feel like the real deal. They are also more secure than dentures since they are placed in your mouth during a surgical procedure that includes installing a titanium root as the implant’s base. This type of metal is ideal, because it fully integrates into your jaw bone. This provides both stability and durability.
WHAT’S THE RECOVERY TIME AFTER GETTING DENTAL IMPLANTS?
Recovery time after any surgical procedure depends on the circumstances – such as your medical history, how many teeth you had replaced by implants, your bone density, whether you have a medical condition, and your own body’s ability to heal. Therefore, the process is gradual and could take anywhere between a week to a month.
The good news is that you’ll be able to have meals several hours after your surgery. The not so great news, is that you’ll be limited in what you can eat until you are fully recovered.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER THE PROCEDURE
- Discomfort. You’ll feel swelling and tenderness along your gums and face, as well as minor bleeding and some pain. Your dentist will provide you with medication or antibiotics to alleviate symptoms, as well as instructions to eat only soft foods such as yogurt, warm soup, hummus, soft cheese, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, and smoothies.
- Limited food options. Avoid eating spicy foods, alcohol, and anything that’s too hot — such as teas, coffees, and soups — since this could cause additional discomfort and extend the healing process.
- Swelling. After your meals, rinse your mouth with warm water and salt, and use ice packs to help reduce swelling.
- Stop smoking. If you smoke, now is the time to stop, since continuing to do so affects your bone density and may cause the implants to fail.
- Prioritize oral health. Brush your teeth after meals, using circular motions. This is essential to prevent plaque buildup, which could threaten your implant’s support. Make sure your toothpaste doesn’t include baking soda, sodium fluoride, or that it isn’t labeled as designed to remove stains, since these ingredients could deteriorate the materials of your dental implants.
DENTAL IMPLANT SPECIALISTS IN DALLAS
If you’re considering dental implants, let us help you. We offer free consultations and use the highest grade of dental implants nationwide. We’ll match or beat competitor prices, and we provide a lifetime guarantee. For some procedures, you can leave with a brand new smile on the same day you visit.
Contact us online today!