Now that you’ve finally decided to have dental implants, you’re looking forward to how your new smile will look. Finally, you’ll soon have the confidence to greet others with a smile on your face. However, the thought of having implants placed surgically on your mouth sounds too overwhelming, even for your liking.
You’ve heard of all the stories about the procedure, and it’s making you think twice about going through it. If truth be told, it makes you feel scared. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way.
Ceramic dental implants support various prostheses options that replace missing or damaged teeth. These become stable anchors that fuse with the patient’s bone and becomes a part of the patient’s body. Though titanium dental implants have numerous benefits, some still hesitate about it because of its nature. Thankfully, adequate knowledge may ease these pre-procedure anxieties and help them prepare for it.
What should you expect from dental implants surgery?
Though it involves insertion of screw-like implants into the patient’s jawbone, it’s not as invasive as what most think. The pain level also ranges from mild to moderate, depending on the type of procedure that the patient needs to undergo, and the techniques used. Also, every patient has their pain tolerance levels in which most report pain levels at a 4 or even less on a scale from 1 to 10.
If the pain is within level 3 or below, patients may take over-the-counter medications to alleviate it. Meanwhile, for those who are reporting a scale of 4, it’s best to take your dentist’s prescribed pain reliever. Take the medication according to the number of days indicated by your dentist to combat the discomfort.
During the first 24 to 48 hours after the dental implants procedure, it’s normal for patients to experience swelling in the gums. However, they may reduce it by applying a cold pack to the sore area. If swelling continues after 48 hours, they may apply heat instead. Minimal bleeding is another post-surgery side effect that they’ll encounter within the first 12 to 24 hours following the procedure.
How to prepare for the dental implants surgery
Proper rinsing
You need to rinse your mouth with a unique anti-bacterial mouthwash after brushing, to prepare it for the titanium dental implants procedure.
Prepare your meals beforehand
You need to prepare soft to liquid foods such as smoothies and kinds of pasta and freeze them in portions. Bear in mind that your gums will be sore and tender after the procedure. Preparing your foods beforehand will help you get the right nutrients that you need while your body is still healing.
Fast before the surgery
Your dentist will ask you not to eat anything for 4 to 12 hours before the surgery if you’ll be undergoing sedation. Otherwise, he will ask you to have a hearty breakfast on the day of your surgery.
Plan things ahead
To ensure that you’ll be able to rest, it’s best not to plan anything important a week after your dental implants surgery. You should spend the first three days of your post-surgery on complete rest. Though there are a few patients who are able to go back to work in less than three days, it’s still best to be cautious about it. So, do your best not plan anything that needs your utmost attention after your operation.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to prepare yourself for a smoother titanium dental implants procedure adequately. If you have any questions about the treatment, get in touch with your dental implant specialist any time. Better yet, have your dental implants in London, Ontario today.