Dental Implants in Urbandale: Before and After Oral Surgery

Dental implants are a great solution to fix your missing teeth problem, and if you have loose-fitting dentures. If you’re wondering if you should choose dental implants, we can help you with that decision.

Even though the dental implants procedure is quite invasive, a form of sedation dentistry can appease your fears, anxieties, and pain.

Also, there are certain pre-operative and post-operative instructions that you can abide by in order to experience a successful procedure and a quick recovery period.

How to prepare for the dental implants procedure

Oral surgery, such as dental implants, can be a frightening thing for some patients, but well worth it. To make the process a bit easier and less anxiety-provoking, there are specific pre-operative instructions to follow before the dental implants procedure.

• If you have any changes to your health, or changes in your medications, you should let your implants dentist know right away, especially before your implants appointment. Your dentist will make any necessary changes to your treatment plan, if needed.
• You should abide by the instructions given to you regarding how many hours before your appointment that you need to fast from eating or drinking fluids. These instructions will depend on the type of dental sedation you are scheduled to receive.
• You should coordinate to have someone be at the office to drive you home after your appointment. You most likely will not be able to drive a vehicle after your procedure since the sedation medications will still have a drowsy effect on you.

In addition to these instructions to follow before your dental implants procedure, there may be a few more recommendations that your dentist will have for you, depending on your unique situation.

Post-operative instructions for your dental implants procedure

After your dental implants procedure, you should follow the post-operative instructions in this section as closely as possible. To the extent that you can follow the instructions, you are increasing your chances of a successful, quick recovery period.

• For approximately 5-7 days after your dental implants appointment, you should only eat a diet of soft foods.
• If you have stitches, your dentist will remove them; however, self-dissolving stitches will most likely be used.
• Be sure to clean around your dental implants as gently and as best as possible so that the implant can fuse and heal. With improper care and cleaning, you are increasing the chances of infection.
• You most likely will experience some level of discomfort or pain during your recovery, but if your pain gets worse in the days after your appointment, you should contact your implants dentist right away. Your dentist can give you pain medications or antibiotics.

Following these instructions, as well as any other instructions given to you by your implants dentist, will allow you to experience a healthy, quick recovery. After a speedy recovery, you can look forward to your new smile filled with natural-looking, long-lasting dental implants.

Rest assured, if you have any questions or concerns about the dental implants service, Dr. Clinton Timmerman of Heritage Creek Dental is here to help patients of Urbandale. Our dentist wants you to receive the best of the best when it comes to dental implants, and that is exactly what you will receive at our dentist office.