The most common questions about dental implants – Part 1 – Kanata dental implant Carleton Place

The most common questions about dental implants

Keywords: denture, missing teeth, the best option for missing teeth, loose dentures, best replacement for missing tooth, dental implant, implant crown, implant bridge, implant denture, implant tooth

Have you been considering a replacement for your missing tooth? Our teeth and gums are the cornerstones of our smiles. They are crucial to how we feel about ourselves and are one of the keys to maintaining our confidence. When a tooth is lost, we look for ways to fill the gap or space. One of the best ways a dentist can restore a smile is with dental implants.

Dental implants can provide a welcome alternative to a bridge or dentures that feel awkward or do not fit well. Implants are often the preferred option when the remaining natural teeth are not structurally adequate or when your dentist is unable to fabricate a bridge or denture.

If you are thinking about getting dental implants, you probably have many questions. In the hope of answering some of them, we have put together the following dental implant FAQ list.

Are dental implants painful?

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The simple answer is no. Breaking down dental implants should be done in two parts: the surgery itself, and the recovery. Dental implants are surgically placed by your dentist, which requires opening the gum. This may sound painful, but before your dentist gets started, they will use a local anesthetic. This is very similar to what you would receive for a filling procedure. After the area is completely numb, the dentist can make an incision to isolate and visualize the bone beneath the gum. You should feel no discomfort, as the area is fully anesthetized.

After making the area accessible, a space is created for placement of the implant. While dental drills may sound painful, your jawbone has no nerves that feel pain in the same way. The most you may feel is pressure from your dentist’s hands. You should not feel the preparation itself. The dental implant can then be placed. The process of numbing the area, making the incision, drilling, and placing the implant usually takes no longer than about half an hour. Once your dentist is satisfied with the placement, the incision is closed. While the local anesthetic is still in effect, the patient should feel no pain at all. Your dentist may also give you pain medication before starting the procedure so that when the anesthetic wears off, you have enough pain relief if needed. That is when the healing process begins.

What to expect when healing?

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Implant recovery time is often faster than people expect. Sometimes it depends on how many implants are placed and on your overall health, but most patients recover well within a day or two after the procedure.

Although it is expected to experience some minor discomfort the next day, a follow-up appointment is usually made to remove stitches about a week after the procedure. The risk of infection after implant placement is very low. Here are some things you can do to help protect against infection and support healing.

First and foremost, it is important to follow your dentist’s advice, avoid smoking, and maintain good dental hygiene.

• Avoid straws for 24 hours following surgery
• Minor swelling at the implant site may occur for 2 to 3 days, although significant swelling is uncommon
• Starting the day after surgery, rinse with salt water 3 to 4 times daily
• Avoid overly hot or spicy food in the first 48 hours
• Stick to a liquid diet for 24 to 48 hours, or chew on the other side of your mouth
• Avoid smoking for at least three days following surgery
• Use Tylenol or Advil for any discomfort. Strong pain medication is usually not necessary

Recovery and healing will be different for everyone. The general expectation is that you should not have much pain throughout either the procedure or the recovery. If you are having pain, especially several days later, you should call your dentist or schedule a follow-up appointment. The surgery and recovery are generally very manageable, which makes dental implants one of the more accessible and routine procedures in dentistry.

Are dental implants covered by my plan?

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Dental coverage for implants varies based on your dental plan. A stronger plan may help with the cost of dental cleanings, regular checkups, repairs, and more extensive dental procedures such as a dental implant. It is becoming more common to see some implant coverage included in dental plans.

Most dental plans cover regular dental care such as routine checkups, cleanings, cavity fillings, X-rays, root canals, tooth removal, restorations, preventive care, and dentures. Some more comprehensive plans also cover, to some extent, dental implants, bridges, crowns, veneers, and orthodontic procedures. Before treatment begins, your dentist can often send a predetermination to your insurance carrier so that you know exactly how much coverage you have for the implant procedure.

Are dental implants safe?

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Having been performed for more than 50 years, dental implants are considered a safe tooth replacement procedure. For the majority of healthy patients, implants are highly successful when performed by a properly qualified professional. With advances in modern technology, dental implants are suitable for many patients. In some cases, that may mean an additional procedure is needed to strengthen the jawbone before treatment.

To be eligible for safe implants, you should ideally have healthy gums and good bone density to support the implant. Your mouth should be cavity-free and your level of dental hygiene should be good. It is also beneficial if you are a non-smoker.

Should you consider dental implants?

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If you have been thinking about getting dental implants, the first step is talking to your dentist. At https://marchwooddental.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/movedo-freelancer-feature-03-scaled-1-3.jpg, we can provide you with detailed information about the procedure, what to expect, and aftercare instructions. Your dentist will also give you cost comparisons between different replacement solutions. Dental implants are not right for everyone. Some patients will require additional procedures. Bone grafts and sinus lifts are two common procedures used to improve jawbone quality and volume.

Those who have worn dentures for many years may find it necessary to have those additional procedures in order to improve bone conditions. Bone loss is a significant problem for denture wearers and a common reason why someone may appear not to be an ideal candidate for dental implants at first. But these issues can often be addressed. During an initial consultation, your dentist will evaluate the quality of your remaining teeth, gums, and jawbone to determine whether dental implants are right for you. Even if you think you are not a good candidate, that does not necessarily mean you are excluded from getting dental implants. Your dentist can develop a treatment plan that includes procedures like bone grafts and sinus lifts to prepare the area for successful implant placement.

See you in the next article.

https://marchwooddental.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/movedo-freelancer-feature-03-scaled-1-3.jpg Clinic specializes in dental implant crowns and aesthetic treatments, focusing on the oral and dental health of patients in Kanata, Dunrobin, Carleton Place, Almonte, Carp, and all of West Ottawa. We offer many treatment options and alternatives using advanced technology to maintain the quality of our service.

Contact us and schedule your appointment at https://marchwooddental.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/movedo-freelancer-feature-03-scaled-1-3.jpg Clinic, serving Kanata, Dunrobin, Carleton Place, Almonte, Carp, and all of West Ottawa today. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more information.