If you have a severely damaged or infected tooth, your dentist may recommend extraction and a dental implant. Considered the gold standard of tooth replacement, dental implants restore the look and feel of a natural tooth. 

Patients who plan to get a dental implant often wonder what to expect. Here, we’ll explain what you can plan to experience during and after the dental implant procedure.

During The Dental Implant Procedure

To place a dental implant, your provider will first need to access the jawbone by making an incision in the gum tissue. Next, your provider will drill into the jawbone and place a titanium post. This starts the process of osseointegration, during which the post stimulates bone development and becomes permanently fixed in place. 

Once the titanium post is positioned in the jawbone, your provider can place a crown, which creates the appearance of a natural tooth. 

This is the process for a simplified one implant-one crown representation. Cases that require full-mouth implants need further evaluation of the remaining bone structures.

After The Dental Implant Procedure

Immediately after undergoing dental implant surgery, it’s normal to experience minor bleeding, swelling, and discomfort. Your dentist may recommend that you take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications or, in certain cases, prescribe pain medications. However, most patients are able to return to work within a day of the procedure. 

For optimal results, it’s crucial to practice good oral hygiene and follow all of your dentist’s post-op instructions, which typically include:

• Refrain from smoking, as it can cause implant failure. 
• Return to your dentist for a post-op visit as recommended. 
• Floss and brush with a soft-bristle toothbrush as usual. However, avoid brushing the implant directly while it’s still integrating with the jaw bone.
• Avoid hard, chewy, and sticky foods, which can damage the crown. 

Dental Implant Solutionz is the leading provider of dental implants in Largo. For more information about implants and how they can be used to restore your smile, schedule an appointment with us today.