Dental Implant Facts For Those Considering The Surgery

In the world of cosmetic dentistry, dental implants are gaining popularity. Despite them becoming increasingly common, many people still find themselves hesitant about them. If you've been looking for an alternative to restore your smile, don't dismiss the idea of implants just yet. There are a few things that you should understand about the procedure in order to make a reasonable determination about what is right for you. Here are some of the key facts you should understand and discuss with your cosmetic dentist right away before you make a decision to replace your missing teeth.

The Procedure Is Detailed Thoroughly Beforehand

If you're apprehensive about the surgery because you're worried about the outcome, you can rest assured that every step is taken to ensure that the entire procedure is planned out in great detail before it happens.

All of that planning makes the implant procedure a fairly minor one. Your cosmetic dentist will start with a series of x-rays and CT scans to map out the precise location of each post well before your surgery. In addition, those x-rays and scans will allow your doctor to evaluate the condition of the bone. This makes it easier to determine where the post channel will go as well as where each individual incision will be placed.

The day of the surgery, your doctor will use all of that information as a roadmap during the procedure. This helps the entire process go quickly and easily.

You Shouldn't Need General Anesthesia

In most cases, dental implant surgery can be done with nothing more than local anesthesia. It's usually less painful and easier than extractions, so if you've recently had any extractions, you can be pretty confident that you'll get through the implants with ease.

Since it's only local anesthesia, your dentist will only numb the tissue around the implant site itself. That way, you can remain conscious throughout the entire procedure. Many people feel more comfortable this way. If, however, you suffer from dental anxieties, you may actually prefer to request an anti-anxiety medication or sedative for before the procedure.

You Shouldn't Need Prescription Pain Medication

Since implant surgery is so well planned out and requires such small incisions, you will likely find that all you need to manage the pain afterward is just an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen. Most implant patients don't require a strong prescription pain medication to get through the recovery period. This is ideal, because it means you won't have a narcotic affecting your ability to drive, work, or sleep.

Recovery Is Fairly Simple

While the recovery from the post implantation will take time because of the bone growth requirement, the actual recovery process is fairly simple. You'll get self-absorbing stitches in most cases, so you won't have to worry about going back in to have the stitches removed.

The one potential complication to be aware of is the risk that the post won't actually integrate into the bone. Your dentist will do a follow-up exam within several weeks of the surgery to see if the bone is fusing to the post, and if the surgery doesn't take, you may need to either have a bone graft or consider other replacement options.

The more you understand about implant surgery, the easier the process will be for you. With the information here and the support of your dentist, you'll be able to make an educated decision about whether or not the procedure is the right one for your situation. Talk with a cosmetic dentist today about what your options are and be sure to ask any questions you might have.

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