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Category: Dental Implants

3 Important Things to Know Before a Dental Implants Procedure

Before your surgery, there are some precautionary steps that you need to follow. These are crucial, as they can greatly contribute to the effectiveness of your treatment. Your doctor will discuss them with you along with your treatment plan. To give you an idea, here are a few things you need to remember before your dental implants procedure:

Food and Drink Intake
The food and drinks you can consume depend on the type of anesthetic you’ll be receiving. With local anesthesia, you’ll be allowed to eat a light meal a few hours before surgery. As for IV sedation, you’ll be asked to go on a fast after midnight on the day of the procedure.

This step is crucial because under IV sedation, the body’s reflexes are temporarily stopped. This can result in vomiting which could clog your lungs and affect your breathing. Taking the necessary precaution can prevent this from happening.

Pre-Surgery Medications
Dental implant surgery involves making incisions on the gum and bone tissues, which can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream. When this occurs, smokers and patients with health issues like diabetes will be at risk of developing an infection. Taking antibiotics prior to the treatment stops the spread of bacteria during the procedure.

Smoking Guidelines
Exposure to nicotine reduces the flow of oxygen to your bone and oral tissues. This affects a patient’s recovery as both factors play a significant role in the body’s healing capacity. For this reason, your dentist may advise you to stop smoking or using nicotine patches at least two weeks before the surgery.

Book a Consultation Today!

Whether you’re suffering from tooth decay or are missing a few teeth, we have the right solution for you! At Exceptional Dental of LA, we offer a variety of top-notch dental implants in Louisiana. This includes single-tooth implants, overdentures, and full arch implants.

Our specialists will thoroughly assess your case and recommend the most effective treatment option. Call us or visit any of our locations to schedule a consultation today!

Things to Keep in Mind After a Dental Implant Surgery

The hours and days after a tooth implant surgery are extremely crucial. What happens to you during this time can significantly affect your healing process. And to help ensure you won’t develop complications, you will be closely monitored by your dentist. If it’s your first time undergoing a tooth implant process, here are some things you need to keep in mind after the procedure:

Driving 

The anesthesia used during surgery can take one to three hours to wear off. During this period, you may feel disoriented, groggy, and possibly experience blurry vision. So, driving within 24 hours post-treatment is highly discouraged. See to it that someone takes you home after the procedure. 

Food and Drink Intake  

In the first six hours after the surgery, you will be limited to a diet that requires minimal to no chewing. This includes smoothies, cold soup, mashed potatoes, and so on. After that period, you can move on to soft solids like pasta, cooked vegetables, pancakes, and eggs.

Be sure to stay clear of hot food and liquids as they can irritate the incision site. Using a straw is also not advisable because it creates a suction in the mouth that may cause bleeding in the implant area. 

Post-Surgery Discomfort and Pain

Pain or discomfort is common after the surgery and will gradually subside in a few days. If it becomes unbearable, our doctors may prescribe over-the-counter medications like Tylenol and Ibuprofen. Swelling of the face might also be noticeable a few days after the procedure. It can be reduced by applying an ice pack over the affected area. 

Oral Hygiene and Aftercare 

You can brush your teeth 24 hours after the surgery. A mouth rinse with a ¼ teaspoon to 1 glass of water ratio is also advisable to avoid infections.

Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today!

At Exceptional Dental of LA, we offer long-lasting and natural-looking dental implants that will help you restore confidence in your smile. Our doctors will walk you through the tooth implant process and answer any questions you might have. Schedule an appointment now to find out if you’re a suitable candidate for the procedure.

Tooth Implant Procedure: How Is It Done?

Tooth loss can affect an individual’s day-to-day functions, like eating and speaking comfortably. For most, it can also cause psychological distress and affect various areas of their life. Thankfully, there are restorative treatments like dental implants that can help in this aspect. 

What Happens During the Procedure?

A conventional dental implant treatment can take three to six months to complete. To set your expectations, here is the general process involved during a tooth implant procedure:

Step 1: Placement of the implant on the jawbone

During this process, our oral surgeon will create an incision in your gum to expose the bone. A special drill will then be used to create a hole where the dental implant will be placed. Depending on the size of the cut, stitches might be needed to secure it over the gum. For people with insufficient jawbone mass, bone grafting is needed to help support the fixture.

After the surgery, it will take time for the implants to integrate with your jawbone. This process, also known as osseointegration, can last anywhere from six weeks to six months. During this time, a removable temporary denture will be inserted to help with the appearance. 

Step 2: Attachment of the abutment 

Once the gums are healed, and osseointegration is complete, a screw-like metal post called an abutment will be installed. This will serve as the connecting structure between the implant and artificial teeth. 

To secure it in place, our dental surgeon will make a cut in your gums to expose the dental implant. The abutment will then be attached to the fixture. After this, the gum tissue will be closed around the screw-like post. A period of one to two weeks will be allotted to allow the tissue to heal. 

Step 3: Insertion of the artificial teeth

Once your gums are fully healed, our dental specialist will make an impression of your mouth, which will be used in creating the prosthetic teeth.

Get Your Initial Consultation Today

At Exceptional Dental of LA, we make it our mission to help our patients regain confidence in their smiles. We offer high-quality implants that resemble the look and feel of natural teeth. To find out if you’re a suitable candidate, schedule your initial consultation with any of our locations.

Mini Dental Implant: What It Is, Cost, Qualifications, and More

Dental implants offer a great solution for people looking to replace their missing teeth. For some, however, traditional implants might not be the way to go. This can be due to various reasons like lack of jawbone mass. In these special cases, a dental surgeon can recommend a more unconventional approach, such as the use of mini dental implants.

What is a Mini Dental Implant?

Much like their traditional counterpart, mini implants serve as a foundation for prosthetic teeth. However, compared to conventional ones, they are smaller and involve a less invasive procedure. They also have a shorter healing period, which makes it possible for dental surgeons to complete the treatment within a matter of hours.

Who Can Get Them?

If you have an insufficient amount of jawbone mass or simply want a less complicated procedure, consult our doctors about mini dental implants. Generally, this treatment is also recommended for people who:

  • Have small teeth
  • Require replacement in narrow spaces
  • Are looking for a fast replacement solution

However, it is also important to note that not everyone is a suitable candidate. This includes the following individuals:

  • Those suffering from diabetes
  • Smokers
  • People who grind their teeth
  • Those with insufficient amount of vertical jawbone
  • People who need molar replacement

What Factors Can Affect the Pricing of a Mini Dental Implant?

A mini dental implant is more affordable than the traditional one due to several factors. These include the size of the implant, lesser trips to the dentist due to a faster healing process, the absence of treatments like bone grafting, and so on. If you’re considering this treatment, consult your healthcare provider for monthly payment plans or financial assistance.

Be More Confident with Your Smile

If you’re looking for comfortable, long-lasting, and natural-looking dental implants, Exceptional Dental is here to serve you. We offer various implant procedures for people looking to replace their missing teeth. Schedule an appointment to find out which treatment will work best for your specific case.

A Complete Guide to Dental Implants

According to a study conducted by the American College of Prosthodontists, an estimate of 120 million Americans is missing a tooth, while around 40 million have completely lost a full set.

Thankfully, with technological advancement, people suffering from tooth loss can now choose from a variety of replacement options. If comfortable, long-lasting, and natural-looking artificial teeth are what you’re looking for, then affordable dental implants at Exceptional Dental could be right for you.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are screw-like, artificial tooth roots usually made of titanium or zirconia. They are surgically implanted in the jawbone to serve as a foundation for fixed or removable artificial teeth. Since they are secured in place, they won’t slip while eating or talking. These characteristics allow a more comfortable and natural fit as opposed to traditional dentures and bridges.

What to Expect

Dental implants are a great solution for individuals suffering from tooth loss due to problems like gum disease, physical injury or trauma, and tooth decay. However, to proceed with the treatment, one must meet the following requirements:

  • Healthy gums
  • Adequate bone to secure implants or at least qualified for bone grafting
  • Good oral hygiene

Once the person is deemed as a suitable candidate, the surgery will then be carried out in three phases:

  • placement of the implant on jawbone;
  • attachment of the abutment (the post where the prosthetic tooth is placed) and;
  • insertion of the artificial teeth

On average, the entire process will last between six and eight months. However, these numbers may vary from person to person, as some may require additional procedures or a longer healing time in between phases.

Recovery

After the surgery, it is common for some patients to experience discomfort. This may manifest in the form of swollen or bruised gums, minor bleeding, and pain where the implant was placed. Our doctors will prescribe pain relievers to help keep the patient comfortable. However, if the discomfort persists for several days, contact us immediately as this could be a cause for concern.

During this time, patients should avoid eating on the side where surgery was done. It is also vital to stick to soft and easy-to-chew foods a few days after the surgery. These measures will aid in the settling of the implants.

Types of Dental Implants

Tooth implants come in different forms. We can conduct examinations to find the most affordable dental implants that best suit your needs. Dental implant options include:

Single Tooth Implant

This type replaces a single tooth without damaging the surrounding teeth. Unlike traditional bridges, this process doesn’t involve the grinding of adjacent teeth to keep the prosthetics in place.

Snap-On or Overdenture Implant

If you’re not used to wearing prosthetic teeth, then overdenture implants will work best for you. This lets wearers remove and reattach dentures anytime. It also allows for easy cleanup after every use.

Full Arch Implant

This type is great for individuals who are missing a full set of teeth either on the upper or lower jaw. During the treatment, at least four to six implants will be surgically placed in the jawbone. These will serve as a foundation for the prosthetic teeth that will be mounted afterward.

Patients suffering from a weak jawbone will require additional procedures such as:

Bone Augmentation

This procedure is done to patients with an insufficient jawbone. Restoration or regeneration techniques are utilized to build enough bone to support the dental implants.

Ridge Expansion

This technique is performed on patients with narrow jaws. The bone graft material is inserted in the ridge to place the implants.

Sinus Augmentation

This procedure is recommended for patients who lack bone height in their upper jaw. A dental surgeon will have to lift the floor of the sinus to allow bone growth and easy placement of the implants.

Alternative Implant Techniques

Nowadays, there are replacement options that transcend the traditional multi-step procedure. Some options that dental practitioners offer include:

Immediate Load Implants

With traditional implants, a recovery period is required before an artificial tooth can be inserted. Immediate Load Implants, however, allow our doctors to proceed with the tooth placement within the same day the dental implants were inserted. Because of this, they are also referred to as same-day implants.

Mini Implants

Mini implants are narrow and come close to the size of toothpicks. These involve a less invasive process and are typically used to provide support to lower dentures.

Aftercare and Maintenance

With proper care and maintenance, tooth implants can last for a lifetime. Here are some steps to follow to ensure their longevity and maximize their benefits:

  • Observe good oral hygiene. Much like real teeth, implants require regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash. Special tools like interdental brushes can also be used to allow easy cleaning in between the teeth and posts.
  • Schedule regular dental visits. Timely dental checkups will help ensure that the implants are in optimal condition. A dentist can also assess the state of one’s teeth and recommend cleaning when necessary.
  • Avoid bad oral habits. Stay away from practices that can potentially damage both your artificial and real teeth. These include smoking and chewing of hard substances like candies.

Cost Estimate

The cost for tooth replacement with dental implants depends on several factors, including the number of teeth being replaced and the number of dental implants required to support your replacement teeth. Some additional procedures may be required prior to the placement of your dental implants to ensure the long-term health of your restoration. On average, single-tooth replacement ranges between $3,800 and $4,000, and the cost increases with the number of teeth needed to be replaced. To obtain a specific fee estimate, it is necessary to have a doctor examine your mouth. After a thorough diagnostic examination, we can recommend the treatment that is best for you.

Ask our team about the payment options available. Whether you want us to maximize your dental insurance benefits, make upfront payments, or are looking for financing options, Exceptional Dental has you covered!

Regain Confidence in Your Smile

At Exceptional Dental of LA, we help patients suffering from tooth loss achieve a beautiful, confident smile. We provide various high-quality dental implant options to meet the needs of our patients. To learn more about our services, book your free dental implants consultation with any of our eight locations today!

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