Post-surgery Guidance for Dental Implant Maintenance
Dr. Roger Parkes and Dr. R. Clarke Stewart are committed to complete patient satisfaction. They want to provide you with all of the information you need for dental implant maintenance. At our Jackson, MS, practice, we can guide you during the initial weeks following your implant surgery. In this way, we can reduce discomfort and shorten your recovery time. After you have healed, the doctors at Periodontal Associates of Jackson can provide tips for long-term maintenance. With proper care, both at home and in the office, you can enjoy long-lasting dental restorations and an improved quality of life.
The Days and Weeks following Implant Surgery
Dental implant surgery is quite safe. Nevertheless, to avoid irritating the incision sites, you should be cautious during your recovery. You should brush your teeth the evening of your surgery, but you should be extra gentle around the implant posts. Most patients can usually return to work the day after implant surgery. At the same time, you should avoid strenuous physical activity for several days because heavy exercise can cause the incision sites to re-open.
You will need to eat a soft diet for a predetermined amount of time, especially if you receive teeth-in-a-day or same-day dentures with the All-on-4® method. Rest assured that, as your recovery progresses, you will be able to enjoy a complete diet. In fact, with fully integrated implants, you will typically not face any food restrictions.
Ongoing Care for Long-lasting Restorations
After you have fully recovered, you will still need to protect your implants. Luckily, it is just as easy to maintain dental implants as it is to maintain your natural teeth. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, particularly after meals and before bed. You should also floss at least once a day. Even if you have a full implant-supported denture, you should floss between your gum line and the restoration. In addition, you should be sure to attend biannual cleanings and exams with your general dentist. Through these regular appointments, your practitioner can eliminate oral bacteria, reduce your risk for periodontal disease, and extend the lifespan of your dental restorations.
It is just as easy to maintain an implant-supported restoration as it is to maintain your natural teeth.
The Importance of Maintaining Your Dental Implants
Dental implants replace lost tooth roots. The small metal posts can integrate with your jawbone, and become fixed in your smile. The biocompatible titanium of the posts is not vulnerable to decay. However, oral bacteria can still impact your restorations and cause implant failure because of gum disease and other concerns.
If you do not care for your implants properly, bacteria can build up along your gum line. Eventually, bacteria can penetrate deeper into your soft tissues, and form pockets. The pockets can grow, causing your gums to recede from your jawbone. The tissues can also begin to pull away from your dental implants. When this happens, the posts can loosen, and they may eventually come out. Unfortunately, by the time this occurs, your gums may have receded too much for our doctors to replace the implant posts.
Learn How to Achieve a Lasting Smile
Dental implants can restore the form and function of your smile, providing superior support to restorations. To learn more about the most effective ways to care for dental implants, contact Periodontal Associates of Jackson, PA, today.
