What To Expect From Dental Implant Surgeries

More than 47 percent of adults above the age of 30 have some form of periodontal disease. Left untreated, it can lead to various complications such as abscesses and teeth migration.

That’s not all, it can cause tooth loss as well. If that happens, the only way to treat it would be with a dental implant.

What are they? What should you expect from dental implant surgeries?

For the answers, keep reading! We’ll be going over everything that you need to know below.

Dental Implant Surgeries: What Are They For?

Dental implant surgeries allow you to replace a damaged or missing tooth with an artificial tooth. It involves placing a small titanium post into the jawbone, which replaces the root of the natural tooth.

Generally speaking, they’re a good option for those who’ve lost a tooth (or teeth) due to an injury or dental disease such as periodontitis.

Keep in mind, however, that they’re not suitable for everyone. For one thing, you must be in good general health with no untreated tooth decay or gum disease to undergo the procedure.

What’s the Dental Implant Procedure Like?

The oral surgeon will start by making a cut on your gum. Next, they’ll drill holes deep into the bone; this will allow them to place the dental implant. In some cases, they may give you a temporary denture to cover up the gap where your tooth is missing.

The next step is to wait for the jawbone to fuse with the dental implant—this can take up to 6 months (some surgeons offer same day dental implants but you’ll still have to wait for the bone to fuse). It’s important not to rush the process as you want a solid base for your new artificial tooth.

Once it’s fused, the oral surgeon will place an abutment (the piece where the artificial tooth will eventually attach) onto the implant. It’ll take approximately two weeks for your gums to heal after the procedure.

From there, they’ll put in a new artificial tooth. As it is, there are two types that you can choose from—removable and fixed. The former is mounted on a metal frame that’s attached to the abutment while the latter is permanently cemented or screwed onto the abutment.

Do Dental Implants Hurt?

Dental implants are done under local anesthesia. In other words, you won’t feel any pain during the procedure.

With that said, you can expect some swelling and tenderness as the anesthesia wears off. If necessary, you can always take over-the-counter pain medications for discomfort.

Also, it’s highly recommended that you stick to a liquid diet for the first 48 hours. That way, you won’t have to worry about damaging the area where the implant took place. You can progress into solid foods after a few days.

Understanding Dental Implants

Dental implant surgeries are one of the best ways to replace missing teeth. If anything, the implant will function just like a natural tooth root—no one will be able to tell the difference!

For more content like this, check out some of the other posts in our health and fitness section!