There’s no denying the benefits of dental implants, which is why over 500,000 Americans invest in them every year. As the only treatment to mimic both the tooth roots and the crowns, they look and feel natural. However, you will require oral surgery to place the posts in your jaw. Don’t worry about a painful day in the dentist’s chair. Here’s what you can expect when completing your smile with dental implants.
How Dental Implants Work
Traditional dental prosthetics replace the portions of lost teeth above the gum line. Although this is effective, traditional bridges and dentures have their limitations. Dental implants are unique because they replace the entire tooth structure from the root up.
A titanium implant post is surgically placed into your jawbone to mimic a tooth root. Your bone must fuse with the post through a process called osseointegration for the procedure to be successful. Once your bone has healed, you’ll need a minor procedure to attach and an abutment. It will connect your custom-made restoration to your implant.
Getting Dental Implants Isn’t Painful
Your dentist will use sedation or anesthesia during your placement surgery, so you won’t have any pain. Although you won’t experience discomfort during your implant surgery, you can expect your mouth to be sore for a few days after the effects of any medications wear off.
Recovering from Dental Implant Surgery
It’s normal to experience pain, swelling, and bruising for the first few days after your surgery. You can manage your discomfort with an over-the-counter or prescribed pain reliever. Apply cold compresses to minimize inflammation and bruising. It can also reduce pain. Follow your dentist’s dietary instructions, like consuming liquids for the first week or two before moving on to soft foods. Your dentist will review additional aftercare instructions before you go home, like how to keep your mouth clean without harming the healing surgical sites.
After about 5 days, your tenderness will improve, but it will still take several weeks for your jaw to integrate with your post. Your dentist will monitor your healing to determine when the next phase of your procedure can be performed.
Although you won’t have a complete smile overnight, it’s time well-spent to benefit from the most reliable solution for lost teeth. After your mouth has healed, and you’ve completed the restoration phase, your new smile can last for 30 years or longer with the right aftercare, like brushing and flossing.
About Dr. Armin M. Tepner
Dr. Tepner is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Dentistry and has completed training in various advanced specialties, including dental implants and sedation. He provides the most up-to-date solutions in dentistry to ensure each patient achieves their best smile. Request an appointment through his website or call his office at (317) 622-6605.