Blog Post

What to Do Before and After Getting Dental Implants

Admin • Apr 02, 2018

Getting dental implants can be a life-changing experience. You'll be able to replace missing teeth with an artificial version that looks and feels like natural teeth. But while the surgery itself is in your dentist's hands, there is a lot you can do before and after the surgery to ensure its success.


Pre-Surgery Tips

Dental implant surgery requires more effort than simply showing up to your appointment. You'll need to do the following things prior to the day the surgery takes place.


Give Up Smoking

If you currently smoke, your dentist will want you to give up the habit before the date of your surgery. While your dentist may have a recommended amount of time, try to give up smoking for one week before and two weeks after your surgery date.


Smokers that have received dental implants are more likely to have them fail when they continue to smoke. You're better off kicking this habit for the time being if you want the surgery to be successful.


Arrange a Ride

The sedation that is used for dental implants will knock you out. While you may be able to drive yourself to the appointment, there is no way you will be able to drive home. Arrange for a friend or family member to take you to the appointment since chances are that you will not be coherent enough to drive yourself home after the procedure.


Do Not Eat Anything

The sedation will also require that you avoid eating and drinking before the procedure for about 8-12 hours so that you don't become nauseous after the procedure.


Post-Surgery Tips

Recovering from getting dental implants also requires that you follow a few simple tips.


Take All Medications

Your dentist will provide with instructions about what you should do after you return home from the dental implant procedure. Be sure to follow all their directions, which includes taking medications. You may be prescribed an antibiotic to fight off a potential infection, which requires taking the entire dosage


for it to be effective. An infection can cause your implants to fail, so take all the medication to help fight it.


In addition, it is a good idea to have those prescriptions ready to go if possible. If the dentist is going to give you a powerful pain pill, you'll want to get the pills immediately. Do not wait until you start to feel pain to have the prescription filled since you can take those pills before your initial pain medication wears off.


Use Ice Packs

You will have swelling around your jaw and face after the procedure, which is completely normal. You will need to take steps to reduce how much swelling is occurring though. Have ice packs ready that you can put on the surgical area. Simply rotate between having the ice on and off in short intervals over the first few days.

You do not want to use heat for treating the area. Ice works well to dull pain and reduce swelling since it is a natural anti-inflammatory. Heat is best for chronic pain and sore muscles.



Use a Salt Water Rinse

One key to a healthy recovery will be to keep the surgical site clean while it is healing. Do this by using a salt water rinse throughout the day. All you need to do is add a teaspoon worth of salt to a glass of water, mix it up, then swish it around your mouth before spitting it into your sink.

Speak with Gregory S. Rutherford, DDS, PA, if you have more questions about care before and after getting dental implants.

Teeth Gap — Sarasota, FL — Gregory S. Rutherford, DDS, PA
By Admin 01 Sep, 2020
If you are looking for a solution for gaps between your teeth or have always wondered about the cause, read this guide to learn everything you need to know.
Two Teen Smiling — Sarasota, FL — Gregory S. Rutherford, DDS, PA
By Admin 03 Aug, 2020
If you are not sure whether you should restore your tooth with a crown or replace it with an implant, use the following advice as a guide.
Woman With Mouth Open — Sarasota, FL — Gregory S. Rutherford, DDS, PA
By Admin 25 Jun, 2020
Dental techniques offer patients several options for restoring portions of their teeth. Learn about the differences between inlays, onlays, and crowns.
By Admin 26 May, 2020
When you receive a crown, you'll have a choice regarding the material you desire. Read on to understand the material choices and the benefits of each one.
By Admin 28 Apr, 2020
How can you know which dental professional you need for which reasons? Read this blog to learn about dental specialties and how you can benefit from each.
By Admin 03 Apr, 2020
Do you need to have a dental crown? In order to better understand this type of dental prosthetic, learn about four things to know about dental crowns.
By Admin 09 Mar, 2020
If your dentures aren't fitting like they used to, it may be time to consider denture relining. Denture relining is a process that your dentist can use to provide a new, more comfortable fit for your existing dentures without replacing them. Here is an overview of denture relining so that you know what to expect from the procedure and can have an informed conversation with your dentist. Relining Procedure Denture relining is usually a simple procedure that can be completed in less than an hour. When you visit your dentist, he or she will first examine your mouth to assess the level of irritation that is present. If significant sores or swelling is present from the poorly fitting dentures, the dentist may recommend a temporary reline while your mouth heals and allow you to return later for the permanent reline. To perform a permanent reline, your dentist will first clean your dentures and sand away a small amount of material on the denture plate. After removing material in areas that are causing uncomfortable contact with your mouth, the dentist will then apply the soft or hard relining resin to the dentures. You will place the dentures back in your mouth and bite down gently to make an impression in the resin. Once the resin hardens, the reline is complete. Soft Relining Soft relining resin is one of two optional materials for use in denture relining. This resin is made of silicone and creates a softer, more comfortable base for the denture. Soft relining is the best choice for people with thin or especially sensitive gums, as there is less chance that irritation will develop in the future. The downside of soft relining is that because the material is softer, it is also less durable than the original denture or hard relining resin. This means that you will require more frequent visits for relining than if you choose to use hard resin. Soft relines are a better choice for older patients who usually have thinner gums and more advanced recession of the gums and other tissues in the mouth. Hard Relining Hard relining is the standard for denture relining, as it is both long-lasting and comfortable for all but the most sensitive gums. Hard relining resin is made from acrylic that is similar in composition to the original acrylic of your dentures. With hard denture relines, you shouldn't expect to need your dentures relined more often than every one to two years. The only potential drawback of hard denture relines is that they cannot always be completed on the day of your visit. While your dentist may be able to apply the reline, take an impression of your mouth, and harden the relining putty in one sitting, he or she may choose to send the impression to a dental laboratory for development. This will leave you without your dentures for a few days but is sometimes necessary to ensure the hard resin fits perfectly. Relining Benefits Denture relining resolves a number of issues that you may think would require replacement of your dentures. Sores, irritation, and general discomfort are the primary reasons that many patients consider relining. You may find that it is easier to chew with your relined dentures, and relining can also resolve slurs, lisps, and other speech difficulties caused by improper denture fit. Relining is also less expensive than an entirely new set of dentures. Even if you maintain a perfect oral health routine, the shape of your mouth will change over time. Denture relining is the best way to update an old set of dentures so that they fit comfortably throughout your life. If your dentures don't fit like they used to, Gregory S. Rutherford, DDS, PA can provide denture relining that will make them fit like new again!
By Admin 11 Feb, 2020
A mouth guard is a more common solution for bruxism, but there are alternative treatments. Consider these three options to discuss with your dentist.
By Admin 10 Jan, 2020
A variety of auto-immune conditions can cause dental problems. Learn more about the ways an auto-immune condition can affect your dental health.
By Admin 04 Nov, 2019
Dentures can greatly enhance your quality of life if your damaged teeth cause oral problems or pain. If you have dentures, learn how to care for them.
Show More
Share by: