You finally made that big decision that you need dental implants.  Maybe you've lost several teeth as an adult or maybe you had very crooked and deformed teeth that you wanted to replace.  Whatever your reasons may be, the day of the surgery is coming up and you're wondering what you should expect from the surgery and the recovery that comes afterwards.  Keep reading this article and you'll learn 5 helpful tips for recovery after dental implants.

Dental implants are an ideal solution for people who have a missing tooth or teeth, but have good dental health in every other way.  Implants are strong and natural looking and can improve general oral health, allowing the patient to bite and chew normally, improves the overall appearance of your mouth, decreases changes of gum disease and improves speech. 

How is it done?  The patient must visit either an oral surgeon or a dentist trained in implants.  A screw is surgically implanted into the bone of the jaw to hold the tooth in place.  After that implantation is healed, the dentist will place the tooth implant restoration over the screw.  For the restoration, the dentist will make an impression of the existing teeth and will then create a tooth designed specifically to fit in the space, matching the shape and size of the remaining healthy teeth.  Once the implant is placed, the dentist or oral surgeon will shape and adjust the tooth to fit your bite. 

However, after the placement of the screw in the jaw bone, your bone and the surrounding gums may be tender and swollen.  Recovery usually takes between 3 and 6 weeks.  Recovery also depends on the type and number of implants placed and the condition of your oral healthy before surgery. 

Here are some suggestions of how to combat the pains of recovery.

1.    Ibuprofen:  Yes, it always seems to be the miracle drug.  But in this situation, ibuprofen may be one of your best allies against tenderness and swelling.  Ibuprofen will reduce the swelling and help to numb the pain.  Be sure to consult your dentist or surgeon concerning your dosage.
2.     No smoking: If you are a smoker, you must avoid smoking during this period of time, as it can cause dry socket (this is when a blood clot is dislodged from a surgery site, exposing the bone and nerve endings.  The area can become infected if removed).  Smoking decreases the blood supply to that area, injures the gum tissue and the pressure of sucking removes the blood clot from the surgery site. 
3.    Avoid drinking through a straw: The sucking action from drinking through a straw can also cause dry socket
4.    Proper oral hygiene: Just like always, proper oral hygiene is essential, especially after oral surgery.  Be sure to continue brushing and flossing your teeth on a daily basis, with special care given to the area of the implant (be gentle).  You should also continue to eat a balanced diet.  Although for the first few days after the surgery your ability to chew on the side of your mouth where the implant is may be inhibited. 
5.    Mouthwash: Using mouthwash along with brushing may be a necessary addition to your daily oral hygiene routine.  Since you won't be able to brush the area of the implant very well, many people choose to use mouthwash in order to help clean the implant. 

Dental implants are a more permanent solution than dentures for replacing teeth.  For those who are wearing dentures, you are aware of the disadvantages of a non-permanent fixture.  Dentures can become unsteady causing inconveniences when eating and embarrassment when talking with others.  There are tapes, pastes and gels to have to worry about, in addition to the extra cleaning and worry of owning dentures. 

For those who are in generally good health and who do well at maintaining good oral health, there is the option of a dental implant.  Dental implants are permanent.  There are titanium posts that connect the replacement teeth to the actual jaw bone (not to adjacent teeth as in other methods).  These titanium rods are then screwed into their proper positions. 

The technology used for implants in the U.S. has been around for the past 30 years in other parts of the world.  Tested by time the success rate of dental implants is impressive at 98 percent for lower implants and 91 percent for upper implants.

Dental implants can be fitted to almost anyone who is able to care for their teeth in a routine method.  Dental implants can be used to replace anything from a single tooth to an entire arch of teeth.  Most people loose these teeth due to injury or disease.  Instead of having a removable bridge or denture consider the advantages that exist from having a dental implant

    A smile that is fixed by more permanent methods can contribute to better face support and less structural variability.
    Artificial teeth from an implant are very durable and will not likely need replacement during a person's lifetime (unless some injury or other damage is sustained).
    An implant will function much the same as your regular teeth.  Care for an implant is the same for implanted teeth as it is for other natural teeth.  This care includes brushing, flossing and regular dental check-ups.
    If you can have routine dental care you can successfully use implants.
    Artificial tooth roots used for permanent implants are stable, natural in appearance, and can be made to match the patient's remaining teeth. 

In addition to all of the above advantages to having a dental implant is one important factor.  That is that with an implant, teeth surrounding the replacement tooth are not used for support and are therefore uncompromised.  For dentures and other removable fixtures, adjacent teeth to the missing tooth are used for support.  Putting additional stress on these supporting teeth can weaken the area and cause even further dental damage. 

Of course the complexity of a dental implant will vary depending on the degree of damage that the patient wishes to have fixed permanently.  It is interesting to note that most people who choose to have a dental implant do so in addition to wearing conventional dentures.  More specifically a common use for dental implants is to have a permanent bridge supported by 2-4 metal posts in the lower jaw and a complete conventional denture for the upper jaw.

In conclusion, the reviews from those who have chosen to have dental reviews are generally positive.   The stability of the titanium posts and of having the artificial teeth implanted into the jaw provides a natural fit and function.  There is the piece of mind that your teeth are your own and you will never again have to worry about embarrassing denture slips or gaps in your smile.

There are 5 basic types of dental implants available and the type chosen for a particular patient depends upon a number of factors. The size and condition of the patient’s natural jawbone is probably the main factor and of course no two patients are the same. Some jawbones can be wide and deep and others narrow and shallow with many variations in between.

The most commonly used material used for implants is the inert metal titanium because it has been found to fuse well with live bone tissue in the jawbone. This fusion process is known as 'osseointegration'. The highly skilled work of inserting implants is carried out by a perodontist or oral surgeon who operates from within a hospital environment or more likely from a private clinic.

Root Form Implants

As the name suggests, root form implants resemble the root of a tooth but are formed like a self-tapping screw which gives it a good surface area for maximum fusion to the living bone. It is inserted by screwing the implant into a hole previously drilled into the jawbone or into the cavity left from an extraction. The implant then acts as a root or foundation for a new prosthetic crown. However, this type of implant can only be used if there is sufficient width and depth to the jawbone. Sometimes it is necessary to graft additional bone to the jawbone before dental implants can be considered.

Plate Form Implants

If there is insufficient live bone structure because the jawbone is too narrow or not deep enough then plate form implants is another option the perodontist will consider. This takes the form of a long narrow strip of titanium which is inserted between the jawbone and the gum and will fuse with the jawbone giving a foundation for a number of new prosthetic crowns if required. Sometimes it may also be necessary to graft additional bone if the jawbone is in a poor condition before the implant can be inserted.

Subperiosteal Implants

Subperiosteal implants are an option used where the condition of the jawbone is such that an insert is not possible and a bone graft is not feasible. The jawbone is exposed and a mould impression taken from which the subperiosteal implant is created and placed on top of the jawbone under the gum and fusion takes place between the jawbone and the subperiosteal implant. Sometimes a CAT scan is taken of the patient’s jaw which then allows the subperiosteal implant to be made without first exposing the jawbone which would otherwise require a two stage surgical operation.

Artificial Bone Substitute

This is a synthetic material which has similar properties to natural bone and will cling to the live jawbone and grow like real bone. This type of implant is usually used as a foundation for dentures.

Endosteal Implants

Endosteal implants are similar to subperiosteal in that they are moulded or shaped to fit in a cavity in the jaw rather than sit on top of the jaw.

This article is intended only to give a very basic outline of the types of dental implants considered by the perodontist or oral surgeon. Sometimes a variation or combination of the types described may be used but it is important that if you are considering this type of dental treatment that you consult your dentist or a perodotist to establish what is the most suitable type of treatment for your unique situation.

Dental implants offer many advantages over traditional tooth replacement procedures. Gone are the days when patients were forced to simply wear unsightly or uncomfortable caps, crowns or dentures. Often insecure and artificial looking, these solutions left people unable to talk and eat with confidence. Dental implants minimize the risks associated with crowns and caps, while maximizing the rewards by producing natural looking, healthy and most of all safer teeth that let recipients smile with conviction.

Dental implants are essentially artificial teeth that that are placed within the jaw. Although they are typically more aesthetically pleasing that the alternatives like crowns or dentures, the real reason many people are turning to dental implants to replace their missing teeth boils down to safety. Implants are a safer, more tooth-friendly procedure that has little to no adverse effect on neighboring teeth or gums.

When a patient elects to insert a bridge in support of missing or decayed teeth, adjacent teeth are usually altered to support the procedure. Over time this leads to gum and dental erosion. With implants, the replacement tooth looks virtually identical to the real thing, and the patient suffers nothing in terms of later tooth decay.

Today there are two dental implant procedures that most periodontists employ:

Endosteal is the most common procedure. Here, various types of screws, cylinders or blades are selected for insertion directly into the jawbone, with each implant holding one or more prosthetic teeth.

Subperiosteal is a less common alternative that is used for patients who are unable to wear dentures and have minimal bone height. The implants are placed on top of the jaw with the metal framework inserted into gums.

Dental implants typically have a very high success rate, but typically require a patient that is in good overall health. Since we are dealing with invasive surgery, candidates who experience advanced gum disease or weak jaw bones may not be approved for the procedure. But for those that do qualify, they can expect a healthy, natural-looking smile that will, provided they continue with proper dental hygiene, last for years to come.