While dental implant surgery offers a long-term solution for missing teeth, a smooth recovery process is crucial for optimal results. Here’s a guide to what you can expect and how to promote proper healing:
Pain and Discomfort: Mild to moderate pain is expected. Your dentist will prescribe medication to manage this effectively.
Swelling: Facial swelling around the implant site is common and typically subsides within 2-3 days. Apply ice packs to the area for short intervals (15 minutes on, 15 minutes off) to reduce swelling.
Bleeding: Minor bleeding at the implant site might occur for the first 1-2 days. Gauze packs can be used to control minor bleeding.
Dental implant surgery is a well-established procedure for replacing missing teeth, offering significant benefits. However, like any surgery, it’s essential to be aware of potential side effects. Here’s a breakdown of what you might encounter:
Discomfort and Pain: Mild to moderate pain is expected after surgery, manageable with medication prescribed by your dentist.
Swelling: Facial swelling around the implant site is common and usually subsides within a few days.
Bruising: Bruising may occur in the surgical area and typically fades within a week.
1952: The Pivotal Discovery: A Swedish orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Per-Ingvar Brånemark, made a groundbreaking discovery. During a study on bone healing, he observed that titanium cylinders implanted in rabbit bones fused seamlessly. This phenomenon, termed osseointegration, became the foundation for modern dental implants.
Missing teeth can significantly impact your smile, confidence, and even chewing ability. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers various solutions to restore your oral health and function. Here’s a comparison of two common approaches:
Dental Implant: Considered the gold standard due to its durability, natural look, and function. An implant screw is surgically placed in the jawbone to act as an artificial tooth root. A crown is then attached to the implant for a permanent restoration.
Dental Bridge: A fixed bridge involves placing crowns on the teeth adjacent to the gap and attaching an artificial tooth in between. Requires modifying healthy teeth, potentially compromising their long-term health.
Cosmetic
dentistry is a method of professional oral care that focuses on improving the
appearance of your mouth, teeth and smile. And although cosmetic dentistry
procedures are usually elective, rather than essential, some cases of treatment
also provide restorative benefits.
The most
common procedures used in cosmetic dentistry are fairly simple, whereas others
are more complex and require specialized care.
Inlays and Onlays
These are
also known as indirect fillings, which are made by a dental laboratory, and
they are used when a tooth has mild to moderate decay or there is not enough
tooth structure to support a filling. Provided there is no damage to the tooth
cusps, according to Choice One
Dental Care, the inlay is placed directly onto the tooth surface. When
the cusp or a greater portion of the tooth is damaged, however, an onlay is
used instead to cover the tooth’s entire surface.
Inlays
and onlays are made in a dental laboratory from composite resin material and
attached to the teeth with adhesive dental cement. They provide support to
strengthen teeth, restore their shape and avoid any further decay or
deterioration.
Composite Bonding
Composite bonding refers to the repair of decayed,
damaged or discolored teeth using material that resembles the color of tooth
enamel. Your dentist drills out the tooth decay and applies the composite onto
the tooth’s surface, then “sculpts” it into the right shape before
curing it with a high-intensity light. Also referred to as simply
“bonding,” per the Consumer Guide to Dentistry, this effectively
covers the damage to the tooth and gives the appearance of a healthy tooth in
its place. Bonding is one of the least expensive cosmetic dentistry procedures
available to patients with tooth decay, chipped or cracked teeth and worn-down
edges.
Dental Veneers
Typically manufactured from medical-grade ceramic,
dental veneers are made individually for each patient to resemble one’s natural
teeth, according to Bruce Wilderman, DDS. They look exceptionally realistic and
can resolve numerous cosmetic problems, ranging from crooked teeth, to cracked
or damaged enamel to noticeable gaps between two teeth. The dentist applies the
veneer to the front of each tooth using a dental adhesive.
Teeth Whitening
One of the most basic cosmetic dentistry
procedures, teeth whitening or teeth bleaching can be performed at your
dentist’s office. Whitening should occur after plaque, tartar and other debris
are cleaned from the surface of each tooth, restoring their natural appearance.
Teeth can also be bleached to achieve an even lighter shade than this original
color, according to the American Dental Association (ADA) Mouth Healthy site.
Over the
years, teeth become stained and worn from food, drinks, medication and personal
habits such as smoking. Whitening coats the teeth and this procedure can be
done in the dental office or at home.
Implants
Dental
implants are used to replace teeth after tooth loss. The dentist inserts a
small titanium screw into the jaw at the site of the missing tooth, which
serves as the support for a crown. These implants are almost indistinguishable
from the surrounding natural teeth, and once the bone and supporting tissue
fuse to the implant, they are permanently secured into place. Patients need to
practice diligent oral hygiene
during the implant placement period to clean plaque and food debris from the
area.
If you’re considering cosmetic dentistry
procedures, it’s vital to find a cosmetic dentist who specifically offers the
option you’re interested in. Talk with family and friends to find out if they
can refer to you a dental professional, or check with the AACD for listings of dentists
in your area.
