Restoring your smile with the help of dental implants is an exciting chapter in your life, but one that surely comes with a lot of questions. If you’re upgrading your grin soon but would like some answers to a few mouth-related mysteries, keep reading!
How Long Will Dental Implants Last?
Because getting dental implants can be a very involved process, you likely want to know if all that time and effort is a worthwhile investment. The great news is that these restorations not only boast an impressive 95 percent success rate, but they also can last a lifetime if properly cared for. Furthermore, even if they do fail, there’s still a chance that they can be re-implanted following healing and additional treatment.
How Do I Clean My New Smile?
Just like your real teeth, you must keep your dental implants clean to ensure they stay healthy for a lifetime. Thankfully, there is no special maintenance required. You can brush them just as you would your natural smile, with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. You should also floss daily and continue to see your dentist every six months for your regular, preventive dental exams and cleanings.
You can begin brushing your new smile 24 hours after dental implant placement surgery, and for added cleaning and soothing, rinse your mouth after each meal with a combination of ¼ teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water. Be sure to avoid mouthwash or hydrogen peroxide rinses for at least 14 days after your procedure.
Is Recovery Painful?
Local anesthesia used during dental implant surgery should begin to wear off about two to four hours after your procedure. If you have been given a prescription for pain medication from your dentist, be sure to take it as prescribed. If not, it is likely that your dentist doesn’t think you’ll need anything that strong and over-the-counter pain relievers should suffice. If you have any questions about dosages, please speak to your surgeon.
Will I Need Sutures?
In most cases, you will need sutures (stitches) following dental implant surgery. These are to keep the tissue together and prevent bacteria and debris from entering the incision site. Typically, your dentist will use dissolving stitches, which will fall out on their own in three to five days. If they do not, please call your dentist for further instructions. Never attempt to pull them out or cut them yourself!
Can I Smoke?
No, you cannot smoke. In fact, you should try to quit as soon as possible prior to your dental implant surgery and remain smoke free for as long as you can after placement- ideally forever. Smoking interferes with the body’s natural healing process and can even increase your risk of developing an infection and can cause dental implant failure.
Remember, getting dental implants is an exciting time in any person’s life, but one that is surely met with a lot of questions. Thankfully, this treatment is very safe and with proper care and maintenance, can be extremely successful. If you have any questions or concerns that aren’t mentioned above, reach out to your oral surgeon today for more information.
About Our Practice
At Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial, & Implant Surgery, we are honored to help restore the smiles of our patients with durable, lifelike dental implants. We also understand that naturally, you may have a few questions for us. If you’d like to learn more about this treatment, schedule a consultation with us today. We’ll be happy to answer any queries you might have, including estimated timeline and cost. To schedule your dental implant consultation, visit our website for the location nearest to you.