For badly damaged or missing teeth, your dentist may recommend getting dental implants. Implants are a restorative dentistry procedure in which titanium posts are used to hold replacement teeth and crowns in place. Using this procedure, dentists can restore function to the teeth and protect against premature aging by maintaining supportive bone structure in the face. If you plan on getting implants, you may be wondering what to expect from the procedure and how to care for your teeth after the implants are in place.

Below, the staff from Legacy Dental Arts in Eagle River, AK, explains everything you need to know about your upcoming procedure.

The Procedure

To approve you for this procedure, your dentist will first verify that you have adequate gum and bone tissue in your jaw to support the dental implants. On the day of the procedure, a local anesthetic will be administered to the portion of the jaw where the implants will be placed. After the area is numbed, titanium posts are surgically implanted in the jaw. After the posts are securely in place, a crown or bridge is mounted on them, replacing the missing tooth or teeth. This will most likely take place over two visits.

Downtime

Immediately after the procedure, there will be some bleeding, pain, and swelling. Keeping gauze in place and changing it every 30-45 minutes for the first few hours after the procedure will help minimize the bleeding. After 24 hours have passed, you may begin rinsing with salt water to avoid the risk of infection. To cope with pain or swelling, apply an ice pack externally to the area in 10-minute intervals.

After-Care

Oral hygiene should begin as soon as possible after the procedure. On the first day, the area may still be too sensitive to brush, but once it heals, brush and floss your teeth as you normally would. With proper dental care, your implants can last more than 20 years. To reduce the risk of damage to your crowns or bridges, avoid chewing on hard foods such as ice.

Follow-Up

Your dentist may recommend a follow-up appointment within a few weeks of the procedure. This will allow them to see how well the implants have healed and determine whether you need an additional procedure. Following this appointment, you should visit your dentist at least twice a year to maintain the health of your other teeth as well.

For more information about dental implants, visit the Legacy Dental Arts website. To schedule an appointment for this or other procedures including teeth whitening or veneers, call (907) 622­-7874.