The dental implants wilmington nc procedure is a multistep process that will involve more than two office visits from the beginning of the procedure to the end.
Initial Evaluation
Dental implants require oral surgery, which is no different than surgery you would have on your body, so the dentist or oral surgeon must ensure that you are healthy enough for surgery and what the specific needs are for your individual mouth. The dentist will perform a full examination, take x-rays and even make models of your current teeth to match your new replacement as best as possible.
Next, your jawbone needs to be strong enough to tolerate the implant or implants. Depending on your case, a specialist like a periodontist or a maxillofacial surgeon will be consulted adding more time and more office visits to the process.
Your oral surgeon or dentist need to be as informed as possible about all of your medical conditions, any prescribed or over the counter medications you use and if you have any existing limitations that may slow or prevent proper healing. Based on this information and conversations with you, the dentist may prescribe an antibiotic before the surgery or offer you specific anesthesia options to help you be comfortable and healthy. Prior to the surgery, you will be provided with Do’s and Don’ts to make sure you are ready and in the best possible condition for your mouth to accept the implant. It is important to view the dental implant procedure as surgery; you will want to have someone to drive you there and home and you will want to take a day or two for rest.
During the Surgery
Dental implants are usually completed over several stages allowing your mouth and jawbone to heal completely and accept the implant before moving on to the next stage. The slow and steady approach reduces the risk of infection before more work is done.
First the damaged tooth is removed and a bone graft is completed on the jawbone to ensure the bone is strong enough for the implant to be inserted. Once the bone has healed, then the surgeon can place the abutment or the piece that attaches the implant to the artificial tooth. This may seem like a few steps, but the jaw bone may need time to heal between each phase to ensure it is strong enough for the implant to take. Try to be a patient patient!
After Surgery
During the surgically invasion stages of the dental implant process, you will experience discomfort. It is normal to encounter bruising, swelling, pain and even bleeding. But if any of these do not get better over the following few days and seem to worsen, then follow up with the dentist or oral surgeon. You will want to try to prevent infection and rejection of the graft or implant as best you can.
Depending on where the implant is located in your mouth, your dentist may recommend an altered diet of soft foods, usage of ice packs to reduce swelling, and even over the counter pain medication. The best way to encourage healing is to avoid nicotine and tobacco, brush and floss twice a day, and keep all follow up appointments.
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