Before and After Dental Implant Surgery

dental implantsDental implants come in the form of artificial tooth roots that are placed to support the restoration of a missing tooth, and to stop or prevent jaw bone loss.  They are beneficial in two distinct ways.  First, by restoring the missing tooth, dental implants give the patient the freedom to chew without being bothered by a gap where the tooth should be, or having to fuss with dentures or bridges that may come off easily.  By filling in the gap of the missing tooth, implants also help prevent the movement or slight shifting of the other teeth, which can result to uneven gaps in between teeth.  Second, by stopping or preventing loss of jaw bone, dental implants may help maintain the facial features of a person, which may change drastically if jaw bone loss is unnoticed or left unattended.

Mini dental implants, on the other hand, are very much like regular dental implants, except they are smaller in size.  Their diameter is 3 millimeters and smaller, while regular implants are usually 4 to 5 millimeters in diameter.  While both mini and regular dental implants are made of titanium alloys, their prices vary significantly.  Regular dental implants cost twice, sometimes even four times as much as its mini counterpart.

Pre-Operative Procedures of Dental Implants Surgery:

Candidates must be prepared for the following steps prior to the actual tooth root replacement procedure.  These tests and procedures help ensure the overall success of the surgery.

  • Undergo Necessary Tests

X-rays and Computerized Tomography scans or CT scans are the basic tests one must undergo.  Results from these tests will give the periodontist or the dental surgeon a clearer vision of what he has to work with, and will allow him to think of the best possible operation plan.  Ct scans allow the surgeon to pinpoint vital structures including the inferior alveolar canal and the mental foramen.  The facility to pinpoint vital structures in the operation can lead to decreased chances of complications and decreased chairtime as well.

  • Lifestyle Check

Patients who are hypertensive will be asked to lower and maintain their blood pressure before going through with the procedure.  This is done to eliminate or at least minimize the risk of heart attacks on the chair.  Interestingly, smokers will be asked to quit prior to the operation, and should remain smoke-free during post-operative care.  This is done to reduce the risk of infection, and to facilitate in the speed of healing, as smoking acts as a deterrent in the body’s natural healing process.

Risks of Dental Implants:

Regardless of size, whether regular or mini, even top quality dental implants still pose a risk to all who undergo it.  These include:

  • Failure in Osseointegration

Osseointegration is the firm anchoring of a surgical implant by the bone around it, without the use of soft tissue.  In dental implants, when the artificial tooth root is not properly placed or it is placed in a poor position, osseointegration may not take place.  The bone will not adhere to the implant when it regenerates.  The implant may break, the area in which it was placed may become infected, and the crown placed on top of the dental implants may come loose.  In cases like this, the implant must be removed to avoid further damage and infection.  Once healed, the patient and periodontist can begin with teeth implant consultation once again and further discuss the best treatment option available.

  • Poor Oral Hygiene

The patient’s oral hygiene and basic oral habits can mean the difference between a successful and a failed dental implants surgery.  Poor oral hygiene, especially right after the procedure, can lead to peri-implantits, an inflammatory disease affecting both soft and hard tissue surrounding a dental implant.

  • Poor Post-Operative Compliance

Poor post-operative care is one of the top reasons dental implants procedure may fail.  Complete commitment and compliance must come from the patient, in order to minimize the risks of infection and in order to increase the chances of the surgery’s success.

Post-Operative Procedures After Dental Implants Surgery:

  • Right after surgery, the patient will be asked to firmly but gently bite on a gauze pad, using the area where the implant was placed.  This is done to stop the bleeding.  The patient must continue doing this, replacing the gauze pad when necessary, until the bleeding completely stops.  If the bleeding persists or increases, the patient must phone the doctor immediately.
  • Pain is expected and painkillers will be given.  However, it is also suggested to use an ice pack on the area for the first 6 hours after the dental implants procedure.  Two days after the surgery, ice packs should be completely banned, and replaced instead with moist heat such as tea bags.  This will aid in the inflammation cause by trauma to the gums by the incision.
  • To avoid swelling and additional inflammation, treat the head like a sprained ankle.  Keep it elevated at all times for the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery.  If there is a need to lie down, do it with at least 2 big pillows to prop the head higher than the rest of the body.
  • Chewing will not be allowed for one whole week after the dental implants surgery.  Keep the menu limited to soft food like yogurt, and liquids like soups and shakes.  Also, drink as much water as possible.  Cheating on this liquid diet during the first week may result in infection or complications as the wound from the surgery will still be open and therefore highly susceptible to being penetrated by food particles.
  • Post-surgery, patients are advised to gargle with a warm water and salt solution.  Mix one teaspoon salt with one cup of warm water.  This acts as a natural disinfectant and should be done three to four times a day.  Patients should be very careful, though, to spit very gently.  Spitting with force may put unnecessary pressure on the implants or open up the healing wound, and may result in dental implants complications.