WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE GETTING DENTAL IMPLANTS IN VENICE
The thing people fear the most is the unknown, and that’s very understandable. We like to know what’s going to happen, and the more information we have, the better expectations we can make. If you’re choosing to replace your missing teeth with dental implants in Venice, we’re sure you’d like to have all the information you can before starting the process. Today, Dr. R.Scott Thompson of Tarpon Shores Dental is going to share a few key things you’ll be glad to know before getting dental implants.
How the dental implants will be used
You might think the answer to this is simply, “To replace my missing teeth,” and that is partially correct. Your doctor will explain exactly how the dental implants are going to help you. They’ll discuss how many teeth they’ll be restoring, how many implants they will be placing, and why they are choosing to use them in the first place.
Dental implants go beyond simply making your lost teeth appear like they are back in your smile; they are a complete solution that replaces your tooth from root to crown. In addition to filling the gaps in your smile, the goal of dental implants is also to provide essential support for your jawbone. The roots of your teeth actually support your jaw from the inside, and this enables it to securely keep your teeth in place. After tooth loss, this support is removed and can easily cause the jaw to atrophy, which can put your other teeth in jeopardy of falling out. By restoring this natural internal structure, the implants aren’t only replacing your missing teeth, but securing the overall health of your mouth as well. Understanding this goal before beginning the process is essential, and helps patients fully understand why they are getting dental implants.
What to expect after surgery
Of course, patients want to know what the recovery process will be like. For most, the actual procedure is quite painless and only requires local anesthesia. Your doctor will make a small incision in your gums to reveal your jawbone, and then place the implant into it. After that, they will suture your gums back together using self-dissolving stitches.
Swelling, redness, and pain are common symptoms after implant surgery, but can usually be easily managed by over-the-counter medication. You’ll wear a temporary restoration after your surgery while you heal, so you can be assured that you’ll always have a complete smile while getting implants. The entire healing process usually takes about 3-6 months, and is mostly to allow the implant time to naturally bond to the surrounding jawbone through a process called osseointegration. During this process, you’ll have an abutment, or metal connector, attached to the implant that will support your restoration. Finally, after you have completely healed and the implant is firmly in place, we will place your new restoration, and your new smile will be ready for the world.
At this point, maintenance is easy, as you just need to brush, floss, and get regular check-ups with us to keep your implants looking like new.
Want to know more?
We find that when our patients have this information, the entire implant process is much easier for them, mostly because they’ll have realistic expectations and there will be no surprises. If you’re interested in getting dental implants in Venice, or have more you’d like to know about them, please give our office a call today and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.