What to Expect During Dental Implant Treatment

Likely, you may already know that a dental implant is an excellent replacement for your missing teeth, and the treatment is fast becoming the gold standard for dealing with tooth loss. You’ll be surprised at how straightforward the dental implant process can be and how you may experience very little or no discomfort during and after the process.

With the advancement in technology and proper preparation preceding time, dental implant treatment is just a simple minor surgical procedure. There are three primary stages involved in dental implant treatment. Patients could spend up to a year completing this treatment. Before surgery appointments, the primary surgery, and the recovery and follow-up appointments are the stages of dental implant treatment.

Have you thought about dental implants but aren’t sure what to expect? Just keep reading, and you’ll clearly understand what happens at every stage of the dental implant procedure.

What is a dental implant?

Dental implants are pretty simple. When we talk about implants, it simply means the tiny post that goes into your jaw bone and forms the root for your crown. The crown is the tooth that is the part you see. The implant is the most intricate part of the procedure. This is because it requires interaction with both your jawbone and gums. Any mistake during this period will result in your tooth not staying in place and also give problems to the rest of your mouth.

Why is a dental implant the best treatment for missing teeth?

Other dental treatment options such as bridges and dentures can also be used to replace missing teeth. They, however, may not be the ideal choice for everyone. Considering the effect like soreness, poor mouth structure, and discomfort of these treatments, you may need a different dental restoration choice.

One of the best options for restoring missing teeth is a dental implant. Unlike others, dental implants do not affect the other teeth. Also, it helps to protect the jawbones. A dental implant is perfect for you if you have an uncomfortable denture or hate being restricted to a softer or easy-to-chew food. A dental implant helps to hold the teeth firmly in place, making it easy to chew food. Also, it helps boost your confidence by enhancing your facial appearance.

What to expect at the pre-surgery stage

The consultation and planning process is one of the longest and most important implant stages of a dental implant. At this stage, you must see multiple professionals who have different specialties. The dentist will also examine you thoroughly to know if you are a good candidate for the surgery. You’ll need to visit a periodontist, who examines your gums, jawbone, and the other structural support around your teeth. Also, it would help if you saw a prosthodontist specializing in dentures and implants. The entire process usually takes between six to nine months in total.

What to expect during dental implant surgery

You must follow some pre-operative procedures as you get closer to your surgery day. Most of these procedures are designed to keep you healthy in the days and weeks after the surgery. Antibacterial mouthwash or some prescription antibiotics will be given to you. They’re preventative measures that reduce your chance of getting infected after the treatment. Finally, you need someone to drop you off and take you home.

Conclusion

The time frame for patient recovery varies. For a person who needed one tooth removed and replaced, your recovery time will be much faster than for someone who needed several implants. Most people have bruising, swelling, and some localized pain after the surgery.