When considering a dental implant, there may be some trepidation. Many people are afraid of the dentist because they don’t want to be in pain. You may be experiencing this fear as well. Even if you do manage to find yourself sitting in the dentist’s chair, you may be wondering how long does it take to heal from dental implants. The answer is a little less straightforward than you think.
The Dental Implant Procedure
When you have decided to schedule your dental implant surgery, you will be in contact with a surgical liaison. They will answer all questions and concerns you have. Before the start of the procedure, you will be given anaesthesia, most likely twilight anaesthesia. The anaesthesia will help you feel less anxious. You may also experience amnesia and not remember the surgery. Once the procedure is done, you will be prescribed medication for pain management. The pain may be less than you anticipated because that seems to be the norm for many people.
You will have a prosthesis, a bridge or crown, in your mouth. Your smile will already look beautiful after this. However, you will have to come back for a permanent prosthesis because the temporary prosthesis has some limitations.
The Healing Time Frame
It is hard to say how long it can take for dental implants to heal because everyone is different. For most people, their jaw heals between 6 to 9 months. You won’t really know when you are fully healed just by looking at your teeth. While your dental implant is healing, you want to stay away from food that is difficult to chew like nuts and steak.
Ways to Heal Faster
There are a few things that can affect your healing time. One factor may be how many implants you have done. Another factor may be if your surgery requires bone grafting because of unhealthy gums. If you are not following your treatment plan, it may take longer for your dental implant to heal. If you have a health issue, like diabetes, it can also affect the healing time. Smoking, much like diabetes, can affect circulation which may slow down the healing time.
Once you have healed, you will get the permanent prosthetics. It is attached to your implants with abutments. The procedure is fairly quick. Now, you can eat whatever you want, even that juicy steak. Take care of your prothestics just as you should take care of your real teeth.
Oral Hygiene is A Must
Brush and floss your teeth and prosthetics twice a day. You might want to invest in a water flosser if you have an arch or bridge. Implants cannot get cavities, but your gums may develop infections if you don’t take care of them. If the base of your implant is covered in plaque, they may not last. You don’t want to throw your money away.
You can promote healthy gums by going for teeth cleanings every six months. Cleanings not only remove buildup in your mouth, it is also a great opportunity for your dentist to catch any issues before they become a major issue.
Ask for A Consultation
Come to West Hollywood Holistic and Cosmetic Dental Care for a consultation. One of our doctors and treatment coordinators will break down the procedure for you as well address your questions.
The purpose of the treatment coordinator is to give you some guidance and support while you decide what you want to do. The coordinator will ask what you seek to gain from doing the procedure. They will also show you your options in regards to financing the procedure.
One of our doctors will examine your mouth. This may involve a CT scan. Once the doctor has seen your mouth, he or she will be able to come up with a treatment plan for you. The doctor will balance what procedures are deemed necessary with your budget.
The Prosthodontic Examination
Once you have had the consultation, you will have a prosthodontic examination. The prosthondontist is examining your mouth on a deeper level. He or she will make impressions of your teeth and gums. Then, the prosthondontist will be able to decide what temporary prosthetics you need. The prosthondontist will also discuss the procedure for surgery and address any more concerns you have.
If you come to West Hollywood Holistic and Domestic Dental Care, the West Hollywood Top Rated Dentist will be working on your smile. We provide oral care for your entire family.
