What Precautions to Take Before and After Dental Implant Procedure

What are Dental Implants?

Teeth implants are artificial teeth surgically implanted into the jawbone to replace the roots. These restorations are made of titanium, a material compatible with the human body and fuse with the bone over time.

Although implants are made to replace missing teeth, they can also support a dental prosthesis, such as a denture or bridge. Dental implants are popular for tooth replacement because they look and function like natural teeth. They do not require special care and can last a lifetime with proper maintenance.

What is the Dental Implant Procedure?

Dental implants are both restorative and cosmetic dentistry procedures because they help to replace the missing teeth and improve your smile. A dentist or endodontist can perform the implant procedure, and it involves placing a small titanium screw in the jawbone to serve as a replacement for the root of a missing tooth.

What Precautions to Take?

1. Avoiding alcohol

One of the biggest things you should avoid before and after a dental implant procedure is alcohol. Alcohol contains components that can dilate blood vessels in the mouth and gums, increasing pain and inflammation. Also, alcohol can deteriorate bone. Dental implants are placed in areas with high bone density, so a reduction of bone density can negatively impact the procedure. Alcohol can also reduce inhibitions, making you more likely to smoke – much worse than any other substance.

The body’s natural healing response is greatly compromised by alcohol. It cannot properly rebuild bone, tissues, or blood vessels, which is essential for proper healing. Insufficient blood supply can lead to avascular necrosis, a potentially lethal condition that affects dental implants.

2. Avoiding smoking

Smoking can affect the early osseointegration and healing of the bone graft and implant. Your dentist in Phoenix may recommend smoking cessation for a certain amount of time, usually three months. This will reduce the negative short-term effects of nicotine on the body. Smoking will also increase your chances of implant failure. After two weeks of not smoking, your body will be able to heal more quickly, and the gums and teeth will experience the early stages of osseointegration.

3. Avoiding irritants

After your implant surgery, you will be instructed to avoid a few irritants. Hard, crunchy, and spicy foods are not recommended, as they can cause discomfort and bleeding at the surgical site.

After the dental implant, you should continue practicing good oral hygiene. During the first day, you should avoid eating hard foods and seeds. You must also avoid eating nuts or seeds, which may cause pain or irritants. Hard foods may damage the dental implant and cause it to fail. You can choose mashed vegetables and hummus if you do not have any soft food. Also, you should avoid foods that make a lot of noise when you chew them.

Can I Take Coffee After Dental Implant Procedure?

Drinking coffee after a dental implant procedure is generally safe, but it is crucial to take some precautions to ensure that the implant site heals properly. Avoid drinking coffee or any other hot beverages immediately after the procedure. Also, waiting until the anesthesia has worn off completely before drinking anything is important.

Aftercare Instructions

After the procedure, it is important to take care of the implants to ensure their longevity. Maintain proper hygiene, and avoid hard, spicy, hot, and sticky foods. It is also important to visit a dental office regularly for checkups and professional teeth cleaning. Dental implants can give you a beautiful and natural-looking smile with proper care.

What are the Risks or Complications of Dental Implants?

As with any surgery, a dental implant comes with some risks and complications associated with the procedure. The most common complication is an infection at the implant site. This can usually be treated with antibiotics but, in some cases, may require the implant to be removed. Other risks include damage to the surrounding teeth, nerve damage, and sinus problems. In most cases, these complications can be treated early, so visit an emergency dentist near you.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Brookstone Dental Care for more information about the dental implant procedures and what you can expect during the procedure.