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Bad Habits to Break After Getting Dental Implants

Dental implants are a life-saver for people suffering from missing or damaged teeth. Chewing, eating, and smiling without difficulty become possible again. However, if you want your implants to last a lifetime, it’s crucial to develop good oral and lifestyle habits.

If you don’t know where to start, it’s best to consult your dentist on what to do after a dental implant surgery. For the time being, here are some tips on how you can extend the lifespan of your dental implants:

Reduce Alcohol Consumption

After your surgery, it will take an average of six months for your jaw to heal completely. During this period, osseointegration, the process where your jaw bone fuses with the dental implants, takes place. It is recommended to refrain from drinking alcohol during this time as it can affect the healing process, and potentially lead to implant failure.

Once the surgical site has fully healed, you can resume drinking alcohol but in moderation. Keep in mind that excess consumption can cause dry mouth that may result in gum disease and implant failure.

Avoid Cigarette and Tobacco Use

Whether through smoking or chewing, tobacco use can stain your natural and artificial teeth. Understandably, quitting can take time especially for long-time smokers. Don’t rush the process, and take it one day at a time. Try to build habits that can distract you from your cravings—for instance using over-the-counter nicotine patches or engaging in physical activities.

Stick to a Soft Food Diet

Sticky foods can displace dental implants. With that in mind, try sticking to a soft food diet especially during the recovery period. Some foods you can enjoy include scrambled eggs, yogurt, mac and cheese, and oatmeal.

Ensure Regular Brushing and Flossing

Dental implants should receive the same level of care as natural teeth. Be sure to brush and floss your teeth at least two times a day. This can avoid plaque buildup which results in bad breath and gum disease.

Wear a Mouthguard When Needed

Wearing a mouthguard adds an extra layer of protection to your dental implants. This is especially true if you are prone to teeth grinding at night. The same goes when your playing contact sports, wearing a mouthguard can prevent your implants from getting displaced or damaged.

Say Goodbye to Missing or Damaged Teeth!

At Exceptional Dental of LA, we customize treatment plans based on our patient’s specific needs. Schedule an appointment now to see if you qualify for dental implants. From the initial assessment to the surgery date, we’ll ensure that you are in good hands. We’ll also guide and orient you on what to do after the dental implant surgery. Reach out to us today to get started!

The Dos and Don’ts of Dental Implant Surgery Recovery

What you do after a dental implant surgery can greatly affect the success rate of your operation. So, be sure to follow aftercare instructions from your dental specialist to ensure a safe and speedy recovery. In the meantime, here are some dos and don’ts you need to know after the operation.

What to Do

  • Get Enough Rest

Resting up can assist in your body’s ability to heal. So, after your surgery, clear up your schedule, and take as much rest as you can. When lying down, keep your head elevated to ensure that blood is circulating properly. This will help prevent painful swelling and excessive bleeding.

  • Take Medications and Ice Up

The anesthesia from the surgery will eventually wear off, and pain will start to creep in. Taking your medication as prescribed by the doctor will manage this and other post-op symptoms. If your face is swelling, place an ice pack over the area for about 30 minutes at a time in the next 18 hours after your surgery.

  • Eat Meals with Precaution

After your operation, your doctor will place you on a liquid and soft foods diet. Your teeth and jaw will be very sensitive, so you should avoid chewing near the surgical site. Also, try to stick to nutritious and hearty meals like mashed potatoes, yogurt, and cold soups.

What Not to Do

  • Strenuous Activities

Too much strain on the operated area can lead to swelling and excessive bleeding. For this reason, you should hold off on doing strenuous activities like running, at least for the first few days after the surgery.

  • Consuming Hot Foods and Drinks

In the first 24-48 hours after your surgery, avoid eating or drinking anything hot. Bleeding might still be present during this time, and consuming hot food and drinks worsens it.

  • Smoking

Poor lifestyle habits like smoking can affect your recovery time. Cigarette smoke can damage the oral tissues and salivary glands causing mouth dryness. This may result in tooth decay and gum disease that can weaken the bones and gums supporting your dental implants.

Your Teeth are in Good Hands!

At Exceptional Dental of LA, we’ll ensure you get a safe dental implant surgery recovery. We’ll monitor your progress, schedule follow-up check-ups, and provide you with dental implant post-op instructions. Call us today or visit our nearest location to find out if you qualify for the treatment!

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.

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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