Any kind of dental procedure can be daunting. The anesthesia and post-operative care are nerve-wracking, and you just want everything to be over as quickly as possible. When it comes to having dental implants in Lafayette, there are some important things you should know before undergoing the procedure. Let us help you prepare with these useful bits of information.
Before it Begins: Preparing for Surgery
You’ve made the decision to get dental implants, but now you are preparing for the upcoming surgery. You already have enough anxiety as it is, and the thought of anesthesia and drilling are making you less and less enthusiastic. Before you go running for the hills, you should know that while dental implant surgery is a lengthy process, it’s nothing to fear.
When discussing the procedure with your dentist in Lafayette, you’ll need to be aware that treatment can span from a few months to a year, depending on the circumstances of your treatment plan. To prepare for surgery, your dentist will:
- Perform a thorough dental exam that will include x-rays and molds of your mouth.
- Discuss your medical history to find out if you have any health conditions that may determine what types of antibiotics will be prescribed should your dentist feel you need them to prevent infection.
- Create a treatment plan that you both will follow. Your dentist will also determine how many teeth will be replaced, as well as the condition of your jawbone to ensure there is enough stability to secure the implant.
Getting Your New Hardware: The Procedure Itself
Before your procedure, make sure to discuss what type of anesthesia or sedation will be used to make you more comfortable and relaxed throughout the duration of the surgery. Depending on your dentist, oral conscious sedation or IV sedation may be used and will require you to have someone escort you to and from your appointment.
Wondering why the complete procedure is so lengthy? It’s because once your dentist places the titanium post (the cylinder dental implant) in your jawbone, it will take months for it to heal and fuse to the bone. Therefore, it’s important for your dentist to make sure you have good bone strength before agreeing to place dental implants. In situations where the bone isn’t strong enough, a bone graft may be necessary.
Once you are healed, you’ll return to have an abutment placed that will hold the crown or implant prosthesis. This will look and feel just like your natural teeth, so you won’t be able to tell the difference.
After the procedure, you will be instructed on how to care for your new implant. Thankfully, they’re very low maintenance and only require regular brushing and flossing to prevent plaque and tartar buildup.
If you’re concerned about your dental implant procedure, make sure to spend some time talking to your dentist. After discussing the actual steps and what you can expect, you will be worrying less and preparing for your new and improved smile.
About the Practice
Do you need dental implants to help restore your smile? Our team at Sage Dental Care – Lafayette can give you a newly completed smile that’s built to last. We know surgery can be a bit scary, which is why we work to ensure you are comfortable and relaxed before any treatment or procedure. For questions about how we can help you get the smile you deserve with dental implants, visit our website or call (303) 604-6355.