What Happens After Dental Implant Surgery ?

Making the decision to have dental implants is something most people only do after careful deliberation. They will want to know the ins and outs of dental implant surgery and the type of results that can be expected, but one of the most important phases of dental implant surgery takes place in the first few months after the implants have been inserted into the jawbone, when the gums have been stitched up. During the first week after surgery, the gums tissues begin to heal and at this stage you need to take care to keep the area clean and free from infection.

You may want to stick to a softer diet that requires minimal chewing, eating foods that are less likely to stick to any natural teeth. Sometimes it’s possible for dental implants to be loaded very soon after surgery, but if this is the case then the teeth supplied are likely to be temporary but are excellent for retaining function and appearance. No matter what the technique used to insert the implants, they will still need time to integrate with the bone during a process called osseointegration.

 

Dental Implant Surgery | What Is Osseointegration Process?

Dental implant posts, the part that is inserted into the jawbone, are specially treated to enable and encourage the growth of new bone cells. This may mean the surface of the post is constructed in such a way as to increase the surface area, or it may be treated with growth mediums to help encourage the growth of new bone cells. No matter which type is used, the process of osseointegration is very important as the new bone cells help hold the post firmly in the jawbone so it cannot move or shift position and is strong enough to support the replacement tooth or teeth. This process can take between 3 to 6 months, after which time an abutment is fixed onto the implant post.

 

Dental Implant Surgery | What Is an Abutment?

An abutment is a special type of attachment that fits onto the implant post and it’s designed to protrude above the gum level. There are many different types of abutments that can be used depending on the implant system chosen by your dentist and the type of restoration. For example, an abutment used to support an implant crown will be very different to one used to hold a denture firmly in place. Your dentist will take an impression with the abutment in position and this is used to construct your new restoration. The final stage is for the restoration to be placed in your mouth, completing implant treatment.

 

Will I Know If Something Has Gone Wrong with My Dental Implant?

Experienced implant dentists such as Dr. Navid Rahmani in Midtown NYC take a great deal of care when planning dental implant surgery. This ensures that any problems are few and far between and the whole process should be smooth and easy for patients. If you do have a dental implant that begins to feel a bit strange then it’s best to always trust your instincts and to return to the dentist who fitted it for a proper diagnosis. In the unlikely event that something has gone wrong, it may be possible to save the implant with early treatment.

 

In: Dental Implants | Periodontal Gum Surgery

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