Tips for Dental Implant Aftercare

A dental implant might be recommended if you have a missing tooth. Implants are the only tooth replacement option that replaces lost teeth roots, which helps preserve bone tissues in your jaw. The implant fuses with surrounding bone tissue through osseointegration, becoming one with your jawbone. Implants can be fitted with a crown to replace a single tooth, or restorations like dentures and bridges can be attached to them to replace multiple teeth.

The installation of a dental implant requires oral surgery, so you should be healthy enough for that. Health issues like immune system disorders and diabetes can slow down the recovery period. Patients are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if they are healthy enough for implant surgery. Patients might also have to give up habits like smoking and drinking before and after implant surgery since they can hinder the recovery process.

Taking care of your dental implant after oral surgery

It can take up to six months from the time implants are installed before osseointegration is complete. During that period, patients should be careful with their implants to prevent shifting them. Simple things patients can do to ensure successful implant installation include:

• Bite down on the piece of gauze provided by the dentist for at least an hour after the procedure. Change the gauze as needed when it gets saturated with blood. Contact your dentist if the bleeding does not slow down after a few hours
• Avoid touching or disturbing the surgical site. Chewing on hard things, rinsing your mouth vigorously, and excessive spitting can irritate the implant
• Avoid brushing and flossing for the first 24 hours after the treatment. Instead, rinse your mouth with salt water after every meal to clean your mouth. After that period, gently brush teeth, particularly those close to the implant
• Any swelling that occurs after the installation of implants can be managed by applying an icepack to the cheeks for 15-minute intervals. The swelling should subside within a few days
• Patients should stick to liquid and soft foods for the first few days after getting implants. Any foods that can irritate gum tissues around the implant or get stuck in them should be avoided. This includes spicy and hot foods
• Avoid using a straw for the first 24 hours after implant installation. It can dislodge the blood clot around the implant, leading to complications
• Patients should avoid strenuous activities for the first 48 hours after getting a dental implant. They should also avoid smoking tobacco products for the first 48 hours after implant placement

Explore dental implants

Implants replace missing teeth and their roots, giving you artificial teeth that are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. It preserves bone tissues in your jaw and restores the function of lost teeth. As a bonus, implants do not require any special maintenance. Brushing and flossing are all you need to keep these prosthetics in excellent condition. Give us a call or visit our East Orange clinic to set up a consultation with our dentist.

Request an appointment here: https://www.qualitygentledentalcare.com or call Roman Khodosh DDS PC at (973) 676-2541 for an appointment in our East Orange office.

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