Many experts consider dental implants the ideal way to replace missing teeth because of their unique placement. Unlike dental bridges and dentures, these restorations involve surgically embedding a titanium rod directly into your jawbone. As a result, they tend to be stronger and last longer than the alternatives.
However, that doesn’t mean they’re the best solution for everyone’s unique circumstances. It’s essential to be well-informed about this procedure because it permanently alters the structure of your smile. Continue reading to learn 3 things to ask your dentist at your consultation!
Inquiry #1: What Results Should I Expect?
Rebuilding your smile is a profoundly personal matter, and since dental implants are such a permanent solution, it’s essential that you clearly understand what outcome to expect. After all, you wouldn’t want to invest in a new tooth only to be surprised by the results.
For instance, you might ask your dentist what your new tooth will look like or how they intend to customize it to match your natural grin. If you’re curious about their experience with the procedure, you’re welcome to gather more information on their education and qualifications. You might even ask if they have before-and-after photos of real patients they can share to view the quality of their work.
Inquiry #2: How Long Is Recovery?
Plenty of patients are surprised to learn that getting dental implants is a multi-stage process that happens over several appointments spanning 3 to 6 months or more. This is partly because after the titanium rod is placed in your jaw, it takes that long for your jaw to generate enough new bone growth to successfully fuse with the metal in a process called osseointegration.
Establishing appropriate expectations around healing after your surgery can help you plan in advance to give yourself enough time to rest and recover. For instance, you can arrange to have someone help with certain household chores, like walking the dog, to avoid elevating your blood pressure.
Inquiry #3: How Can I Maintain My Dental Implant?
Fortunately, keeping your new tooth clean and healthy is relatively easy. All you have to do is continue brushing and flossing twice daily to remove plaque and bacteria that contribute to common oral issues like cavities and gum disease. However, be cautious when flossing around your implant, as pressing too deeply into the pocket of your connective tissue could damage the implant seal.
You should also schedule a routine checkup and cleaning with your dentist every six months so they can monitor your condition to catch and address problems early.
About the Practice
At Canyon Creek Dental, you and your family benefit from a team of dentists eager to help you build your happiest, healthiest smiles. With more than 20 years of combined experience, they can help with everything from basic preventive care to more complex procedures, like dental implants. They take the time to get to know you so they can tailor treatment plans to your unique needs. Then, they utilize state-of-the-art equipment to complete each step of the implant process in the office, including oral surgery. If you need to replace missing teeth, you can request an appointment on the website or call (972) 644-3800.