Are you considering dental implants? They are permanent, artificial teeth that look just like natural teeth — and they’re a great option if you have a gap in your smile.
If you have missing teeth or damaged teeth that need extraction, dental implants may be the answer. Implants help your mouth function normally and stimulate healthy bone growth. But you might be wondering: Is a dental implant hard to care for?
The short answer is no, and our team at Arcadia Perio is here to answer all your dental implant care questions. J. Paul Fuentes, DDS, and Andrew Peterson, DMD, specialize in dental implant procedures. We’ve helped lots of our patients adjust to life with dental implants.
What to expect after dental implant surgery
Dental implants have two main parts: the artificial root and the artificial crown. Getting a dental implant is a two-part process. The first step requires oral surgery, during which we implant the artificial tooth root into your jaw.
We make an incision in your gums and insert a titanium rod in your jaw. This rod becomes a stable base for the artificial tooth crown, but your mouth needs to heal before your dental implant procedure is complete.
Your jawbone grows around the rod as your mouth heals, securing it in place. We give you postoperative care instructions, which you need to follow closely for the first few weeks after implant surgery.
In general, you can expect to experience some bleeding and pain shortly after surgery. You may need to eat a diet of soft foods and limit strenuous physical activity for a few days.
Continue brushing and flossing the teeth that weren’t involved in surgery, but be careful to avoid any sutures until they disappear in about 7-10 days.
Full recovery from dental implant surgery can take 2-9 months. When you’re fully healed, we place your artificial tooth crown, and your dental implant is complete.
Caring for your new dental implant
After you heal from dental implant surgery, you come back to the office for your artificial tooth crown. The crown is the piece that looks like a natural tooth, and we place it in your mouth during your appointment.
This part of the process is typically painless. Once you have your full dental implant, you can return to your usual daily activities.
Dental implants are easy to care for. They’re permanent, so you can brush and floss implants just as you do your natural teeth. Brush twice a day, floss at least once a day, and continue visiting the dentist for routine dental cleanings.
With proper care, your dental implant can last 10 years or longer.
If you’re missing a tooth, a dental implant is a durable option to restore your smile. Find out more about the benefits of dental implants with a consultation at Arcadia Perio. Book an appointment online or call our office in Arcadia, California.