How to Plan for Dental Implants?

Dental implants provide the best option for replacing teeth that have degenerated so far that they are no longer useful. The basic process of a dental implant includes cleaning out any remnants of the old tooth, implanting a synthetic root, and installing the visible replacement tooth. Every procedure varies depending on the patient’s needs.

Ask Your Dentist Questions

If your dentist has recommended that you have dental implants, be sure to ask him or her several questions until you understand the procedure completely. Talk with your dentist about what kind of surgery is involved, what type of anesthetic will be used, and what you can do to better prepare yourself for the procedure. Most dentists are very happy to provide detailed explanations of the dental implant process and how it will impact your oral health for the rest of your life.

Expect Several Stages

Most dental implant surgeries take place over a matter of months. The first few visits to the dentist will be for planning and mapping of your teeth and bone structure. Once the dentist has created a plan, he or she will need to spend time cleaning and preparing the tooth socket to receive the implant. Your gums will need time to heal between some of these stages, which can add time to the process. The most important healing stage is between the actual implanting of the synthetic roots and the installation of the replacement tooth itself. It is important that you are fully prepared for the dental implant process to take a long time before it is completely finished.

Prepare for the Healing Process

Healing after you receive dental implants can take a long time. There are several different healing stages that happen between the different stages of the procedure. While you are having the implants prepared, you may notice a sensitivity to cold or heat when you eat. Your dentist may also give you instructions for keeping the area clean and free of foods that can irritate it. Once the implants have been finished, you will experience a couple of weeks of tenderness in the area. Within the first few months, however, you will be able to eat normally with your new teeth.