Our teeth serve many purposes. They help you eat and talk, yes, but a beautiful smile also increases your overall quality of life. What happens when a tooth or teeth need to be removed or are missing? At Oral and Facial Surgeons of Arizona, we specialize in dental implants and can help restore beautiful, fully functional teeth safely and easily. Here is what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure.
Before Dental Implants
Before the actual procedure, we will take X-rays of your mouth to determine the quality of bone at the implant site and the precise location and orientation in which the dental implant needs to be placed. This is done to ensure the implant does not affect your bite in any way, but functions as a normal, natural tooth. If the bone at the implant site has receded or is in any way compromised, we may recommend a bone grafting procedure to restore the presence and strength of the bone to ensure a successful dental implant. When the bone grafting site has healed, a dental implant can be placed.
During Your Dental Implant Procedure
Receiving a dental implant is often easy and painless. You will be given a local anesthetic (the same anesthetic administered for a dental filling) to numb the area. The implant site is cleaned and all materials are kept sterilized so as to prevent infection. A titanium screw is precisely placed in the bone to act as a new tooth root. The properties of the screw allow for successful fusion with the surrounding bone. These new roots act as anchors for crowns, bridges, or dentures. To learn more about this process, visit here.
After Your Dental Implant Procedure
After your dental implants are in place, you can go home and resume regular activity. When the local anesthetic wears off and in the days after the procedure, you may experience some soreness and swelling as the bone heals and fuses with the implant. This typically only lasts for two to three days and often can be remedied with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs. Antibiotics may be prescribed to mitigate the risk of infection.
Let Us Restore Your Smile
If you are considering receiving a dental implant, choose an oral surgery practice that you can trust. At Oral and Facial Surgeons of Arizona, we combine state-of-the-art techniques, superior skill, and the highest quality of care. If you have questions or would like to set up a free consultation, please call our Arcadia office at 602-957-0332 or our Tempe office at 480-820-7400.