Dental implants are a fantastic solution for people who are missing one, several, or even an entire arch of teeth. Implants not only help restore the appearance of a smile, but they also help improve food chewing and speaking abilities, ultimately boosting a patient’s overall health and quality of life. If you have decided to undergo the procedure, you need to know how to prepare for dental implants. Please read our article to learn more.
How to Prepare for Dental Implants
The preparation needed for dental implants can be minimal in some cases or require additional surgical procedures in others, depending on the condition of a patient’s oral health.
Procedures That Help Prepare for Dental Implants
In some cases, dental implant surgery is impossible because a patient does not have enough jaw bone density to support the implants sufficiently, so they will most likely fail. Jaw bone density loss can happen due to a process called bone resorption. When tooth loss occurs, the jaw bone is no longer stimulated by the roots of the tooth. As a result, the body stops sending nutrients to the bone, causing it to “shrink.”
The longer a patient misses the teeth, the more the bone structure is damaged. In the first year after the tooth loss, a patient can experience up to a 20% decrease in jaw bone density. There are several procedures available that can help restore the jaw bone:
- Dental bone grafting is a surgical procedure that helps restore and regenerate the jaw bone when it does not have enough density to support dental implants securely. The surgery involves placing grafts in the parts of the bone that require regeneration. The grafts can be made of organic or synthetic materials. After receiving a graft, the bone is prompted to grow around it, rebuilding its structure.
- A sinus lift can be used in preparation for placing dental implants in the back upper part of the jaw. In some cases, if a patient misses their teeth for a long time, sinus pockets can drop and occupy the space where the tooth roots used to be. Your dental surgeon can lift the sinus pockets to free up the space for the implants. This procedure is often combined with bone grafting.
- Ridge expansion is a procedure also aimed at creating enough room for dental implants. Using bone grafting, your dentist will expand the bone along the top part of the jaw (also called the ridge). The procedure is recommended when the ridge is too narrow to support the implants.
- Ridge modification helps alter the shape of the jaw bone in cases when it has deformities.
Also, if a patient has oral health issues such as gum disease, they must be fully treated before the dental implants can be placed. During preliminary examinations, your dentist can evaluate the condition of your gums and jawbone to recommend the appropriate course of action in your case.
What a Patient Can Do to Prepare for Successful Dental Implant Surgery
When a patient does not need any additional procedures or treatments in preparation for dental implants, there are several simple steps they can take to ensure the surgery goes smoothly.
- Make sure to inform your dentist and anesthesiologist about any existing allergies or health conditions ahead of time.
- Arrange the transportation from the dental office ahead of time. The procedure is done using an anesthetic, so it is advisable to drive after it.
- Abstain from eating and drinking late the night before the procedure to avoid nausea during the surgery. Also, in some cases, patients are not allowed to eat or drink anything on the morning of the procedure. Ensure that you follow your doctor’s recommendations.
- If your dentist prescribes medication, make sure to take it according to the schedule.
- In the morning of the procedure, brush your teeth as you usually do, but do not use toothpaste or mouthwash with strong flavors.
- Make plans for the recovery period by arranging time off work and sports or other strenuous activities for at least one week after the procedure. Also, buy over-the-counter painkillers and other medicines your dentist recommends, as well as food for liquid and soft diets that you will have to follow for several weeks after the procedure.
Make an Appointment Today
With your new knowledge of how to prepare for dental implants, you should feel prepared to make an appointment at the San Bernardino dental office to learn more about dental implant procedures and receive a personal consultation. Our dental implant specialists will conduct the necessary examination to establish the most effective course of action in your case. We look forward to your visit to Dream Smile City.