The dental implant procedure is an outpatient surgery. An implant is made of titanium and other materials that go into your jawbone and mimic the root of a tooth. This artificial root allows the dentist to make your replacement teeth strong and blend in with your surrounding teeth.
Getting dental implants requires multiple visits. This includes one consultation, one appointment to place the implant and another to confirm the new teeth.
Contraindications
Growing children may not be able to receive a dental implant until their jaws have finished growing and developing. People with chronic conditions such as diabetes or leukemia may also not be good candidates for dental implants. This is because these conditions can interfere with recovery from surgery.
If you smoke, your dentist may not recommend surgery because smoking can delay recovery. Talk to your dentist about your medical history and lifestyle habits to make sure you are a good candidate for this procedure.
In a dental implant procedure, the oral surgeon places the implant to remove the replacement tooth. Children, people with chronic illnesses, and those who smoke may not be good candidates for this procedure.
Purpose of a Dental Implant
A dental implant can replace one or more permanent teeth lost due to trauma, decay, tooth decay, or infection. When you talk to our staff at your initial consultation, we can discuss other replacement options, including the tooth. This can include dentures and bridges.
We can discuss with you whether you have enough space and bone in the place of the missing tooth for the procedure. If you lose teeth for a while, you may have lost bones. It requires bone grafting before you can proceed with dental surgery.
How to Prepare
Before the procedure, you will meet with our staff for an initial consultation. Your dentist will perform a comprehensive examination. We will take an X-ray and discuss with you the options for deciding for the implant surgery.
Once you decide and we find you are in good health, we will schedule the surgery. If your dentist recommends IV sedation before the procedure, you should make sure someone drives you home that day.
Location
A dental implant procedure is usually performed at our office. It is performed by our team of experts trained in oral surgery and restorative dentistry.
Food and Drink
If you have local anesthesia, you can eat a light meal a few hours before the procedure. If you are having I.V. sedation, it is recommended that you do not eat anything after midnight before surgery. This will help keep your stomach empty.
Medications
Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to drink a few days before surgery to prevent premature implant failure. They can also be washed with a special antibacterial mouthwash such as chlorhexidine.
Pre-Op Lifestyle Changes
Smoking can reduce the success rate of dental implants because it slows healing. If you smoke, talk to your dentist if you need dental implants.
At Cary Family Dental in Cary, NC we offer dental implants. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Allan Acton today.
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