Tips To Help You Prepare For Your Dental Implant Surgery

If one of your teeth has recently been pulled due to an accidental break or the formation of a large cavity, then your dentist will inform you about some options to replace the tooth. Permanent solutions are best, and a dental implant is one of the strongest and most natural looking artificial teeth that you can choose. Dental implants require a surgical procedure. This is the most difficult, painful, and lengthy part of the implant process, and you will need to make some preparations for the surgery. Keep reading to learn about a few things that you should do.

Secure A Ride Home

If you have a dental implant surgery scheduled, then your dentist will tell you that you will need to be given anesthesia. Anesthesia is required for several reasons. Your oral surgeon will need to make sure that you remain as still as possible during the procedure. Dental implant surgeries require the placement of a thick titanium root. The root will need to be placed squarely in the jaw where there is thick bone material. X-ray images as well as CT scans will produce images that your surgeon will use to plan the right area, angle, and depth of the implant based on your anatomy. The precise placement will require you to stay absolutely still so that drilling is as accurate as possible.

Also, you will need to remain still so that the jaw bone does not become injured. The hole in your jaw where the implant is placed will be formed with a drill. Many different bits on the drill are utilized to form the hole in the jaw. Very small amounts of bone matter are removed at a time. This keeps the living cells across the jaw from dying. Unfortunately, drill noises are quite startling. This can cause you to jump and the drill to eat away at more of your bone than is required. 

There are a variety of different types of anesthesia that may be used. Nitrous oxide and IV sedation are commonly used when a dental implant is placed. General anesthesia may be required as well if you have an underlying health condition or if you need to undergo extensive bone grafting. All types of sedation will make you feel drowsy after your surgery is over, and this means you cannot drive home. You will need to make sure you secure a ride in advance so you have a way home after the operation is over.

Get Your Prescriptions

Your oral surgeon will typically prescribe a number of prescriptions that you need to take after your dental implant is secured. These prescriptions are necessary for optimal healing. Typically, an antibiotic will be required to reduce infection risks, and pain medication will be needed to minimize discomfort and to reduce swelling. Also, a medicinal rinse, like Peridex, will be provided to reduce the number of microorganisms that live in the mouth and build around the surgical site. 

It is wise to pick up your prescriptions the day or night before your implant surgery. Bleeding is common with the surgical procedure and physical activity can increase blood flow and contribute to bleeding. This means that you should remain as inactive as possible, especially within the first 24 hours after your operation when bleeding is most likely. Running all errands, like getting your prescriptions beforehand, will help to reduce your activity.

You also should set up a resting area near your couch or bed so you do not have to get up a great deal after your surgery. Make sure that water, ice packs, warm compresses, gauze, and anything else you will need are all placed near the space. For more information, contact a dentist like Richard L. Myers, DDS.


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