Dental Implant Aftercare
Do you frequently trace your tongue in the space left by a missing tooth, consciously or unconsciously? Have you considered dental implants to cover the gap between your perfectly positioned teeth? Dental implants are an excellent option for rehabilitative, functional, and aesthetic reasons and offer the possibility of a lifetime solution.
The Association of Dental Implantology believes that meticulous personal attention to oral hygiene and regular follow-up is the key to dental implant surgery’s success and the implants’ longevity. So to ensure that your implants are adequately taken care of, and this has a better chance for survival, we have put together a guide for each step of care and maintenance of dental implants.
Why Is Implant Aftercare Important?
Dental implants require a significant time and financial commitment, so you want them to heal and endure as long as possible for practical and aesthetic reasons. Implementing preventive measures after your implant surgery promotes rapid recovery and ensures that your implant assumes its functional role at the earliest possible.
Adequate dental implant aftercare also assures that the likelihood of peri-implantitis, an inflammation of the complex and soft tissues around the implant that ultimately results in implant failure, is extremely low. Long-term maintenance would guarantee the viability of your implant for many years.
Immediate Dental Implant Aftercare
Dental implants are often placed under local anaesthesia, meaning you can go home shortly after the surgery. However, considering it is an invasive surgery, you have to practice immediate dental implant aftercare measures, some of which are listed as follows;
Diet
You should stick to a diet high in cold liquid calories and soft meals for the first week after implant placement and avoid eating hot food and drinking hot beverages for a swift recovery. Abstaining from alcohol to promote quick healing is also advised.
Hygiene
It is essential to practice immaculate dental hygiene, keep the region around the implant site clean, and, if your dentist prescribed mouthwash, use it at least three to four times each day for at least 24 hours after the procedure.
Healing
Swelling, discomfort and small amounts of bleeding and pain are typical, but if they become excessive, you should seek dental care immediately. For pain relief and management, over-the-counter medicines, like paracetamol or ibuprofen, in addition to any antibiotics prescribed by your dentist.
Use cold compresses, such as ice packs, if you feel swelling in the first 24 hours after surgery. After that, it is preferable to stick with heat compresses. For at least a week or two, you should refrain from using straws or sucking on anything else, such as a cigarette, as this creates negative pressure and slows the healing process.
Exercise and physically demanding activities should be avoided for about a week after surgery. It may be tempting to trace your tongue over or touch your implant with your finger, but it is better to ignore these urges. The implant site must remain visible; old dentures or other prosthetics should not be placed over it. When non-resorbing sutures are used, your dentist will remove them after 10 to 14 days. If dissolvable sutures are used, they will likely dissolve on their own in a week.
Prosthesis
Suppose your dentist placed a temporary restoration on your implant immediately following the loading operation. In that case, it’s critical to avoid exerting extra pressure on it because the repair was likely placed there for cosmetic reasons.
Extra care
In some cases, the sinus is too close to the implant; hence a sinus lift operation must be done prior to the implant procedure. If that applies to you, you should exercise particular caution, refrain from blowing your nose for up to two weeks, and sneeze with your mouth open. Additionally, it is advised to refrain from swimming and flying for two weeks after the sinus lift treatment.
Intermediate Dental Implant Aftercare
In most cases, the abutment or the prosthesis base is placed along with the implant to encourage healing and prevent excessive load on the implant site. The crown is placed three to six months after the initial implant surgery. The intermediate dental implant aftercare comes into play at this stage.
Crown integration over the abutment and implant is a minor procedure where the dentist places the restoration over the abutment by making a small incision on the gums. Depending upon the healing and integration of the implant with the surrounding bone, the implantologist will place the prosthesis if the implant has been covered by the bone and secure the gum with sutures removed after two weeks.
The dentist will suggest a few preventative measures, more or less similar to those indicated after the first implant placement operation.
Long Term Dental Implant Aftercare
You must take care of your implant prosthesis the same way you take care of your natural teeth after the implant has assimilated with the bone and the replacement teeth have been attached, restoring your occlusion, appearance, and functionality.
Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste, and floss in between meals to keep food particles and bacteria that can also cause harm from building up in your mouth. These bacteria can induce inflammation, which can lead to late implant failure. It is crucial to have your dentist assess the state of your implant even if you maintain excellent dental hygiene. At first, you would have to go to the dentist every two months, but if your dentist is pleased with the condition of your implants over time, the period between visits may get longer.
As a preventative strategy, steer clear from biting on hard objects like ice and candies because they substantially increase the risk of prosthesis fracture. It is preferable to avoid caffeine-containing liquids, including tea, coffee, and soft drinks, along with nicotine products because they have a high likelihood of staining your prosthesis.
Why WeCure?
While thorough implant aftercare is crucial, it is even more essential to have your implant surgery performed by a skilled, professional implantologist with a high success rate. It takes years to schedule an appointment with a dentist and implantologist, even if you are fortunate enough to find them. WeCure delivers dental implant surgery and treatment from internationally recognized dentists at a luxurious resort in Antalya, where you can receive top-notch healthcare while availing of all the advantages of vacation. Are you ready to embark on your treat-cation journey, then?
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