Teeth are very vital in the life of a person as they help to smile, speak and chew food. To make your teeth strong and healthy, you need to have good oral hygiene procedures done on them regularly. Also, what you eat and drink plays an important role in maintaining the health of your teeth and whitening your teeth. Your gums should be clean, which is why brushing and flossing twice daily can keep your teeth free from gum disease. If you do not maintain a proper dental checkup regime, you might develop problems later in life, such as tooth decay and gum diseases. These diseases can lead you to get dental implants which are one of the best treatment options if you do not want to live with unhealthy, weak, or missing teeth.
Dental Implants are an artificial replacement for missing teeth. When people experience issues related to their natural teeth or lost multiple teeth due to periodontal infections, they may face loss of bone and tissue around these teeth leading to jawbone recession. Dental implants are designed to stay permanently within your mouth, act like real teeth and allow you to eat normally without worrying about chewing problems, discomfort, and other dental problems. A dentist may perform either of the two types of dental implants: Endosteal and subperiosteal. The endosteal implant is placed directly into your jawbone, whereas subperiosteal dental implants are inserted beneath your gums. Both these types of implants require the insertion of titanium screws. Once the dental implants are installed, it takes 3-4 months for the body to completely heal around it, thus providing the permanent support needed by the jaws. Though this procedure is expected to be 98% successful, there are some after-surgery effects that must be addressed before you leave the office. Some of the common effects include:
1. Nerve Damage
When one has gone for a dental implant involving one of his or her teeth, for example, wisdom tooth removal, the nerves that travel through that area may become damaged. This will cause numbness in that area when a dental professional touches you during any subsequent procedure. It is possible to avoid this by having your surgeon place tiny needles at strategic places along the nerve path so that he or she can administer anesthesia. The risk of this happening to you is somewhat low, but you are still advised to inform your doctor of any previous surgeries. If nerve insensitivity persists for long after surgery, it could indicate more severe injury.
2. Excessive Bleeding
You may also experience excessive bleeding while your gums are being cut away for dental implant placement. This is normal as the blood vessels run close to the surface of the gums and the gums themselves tend to bleed easily. For this reason, your dentist will use stitches to stop the flow of blood throughout the healing process. However, if the bleeding does not stop as planned, you may start experiencing pain because of exposed bone and the absence of connective tissues between the gum and the bone. If you have experienced this kind of bleeding, seek immediate medical attention.
3. Postoperative Swelling
Swelling is often felt immediately following the surgical operation. Though this usually subsides quite quickly, it can persist long enough to affect the way you look. Since swollen eyes, lips or tongue can alter how you appear to others; you may want to take special care of yourself after surgery. To reduce any postoperative swelling, you may be prescribed anti-inflammatory medications, which should help you recover faster.
If you feel an increase in facial swelling or sensitivity, you might need to change your diet and drink plenty of water. Your health care provider will tell you what you can expect after surgery. With proper healing time, most patients return to work within two weeks.
4. Pain
Pain is one of the top side effects of undergoing major oral surgery, such as dental implant surgery. Pain typically begins 1 – 4 days after the dental surgery. Initially, you may only feel dull aches and pains in the affected areas where the tooth was removed. In later stages, you may find that pain lingers even beyond the first week. However, with proper treatment, pain caused by the dental implant is usually alleviated within 7 – 10 days. This pain results from the irritation caused by the foreign material inside your mouth. During this stage, it is helpful to follow your dentist’s instructions on medication and hygiene measures to keep things under control. Most importantly, never attempt to rinse your mouth with cold water as it aggravates the condition.
5. Fluid Accumulation
Since the new tooth root is located under your gum line, it is highly likely that fluid may accumulate inside and around the tooth root upon its installation into your jawbone. As fluids do, they will naturally drain out of your body by gravity once they reach their destination. However, if there are times when you do not see the fluid draining, then there is a high possibility that it might cause infection at the site of the tooth root. Since infections are hard to treat, they must be taken seriously. Your dentist is always the first person you should turn to in case of complications. He or She will provide you with tips on dealing with the problem and suggest ways to prevent it from happening again.
6. Gum Color Changes
As with all surgeries, getting the proper amount of anesthesia during your dental implant procedure is vital to avoid unpleasant effects. Gum recession happens regardless of whether you get adequate anesthesia or not. The best way to prevent this complication is to refrain from chewing too much gum, especially before an appointment with your dentist. Chewing gum prevents healthy teeth from growing and strengthens the area around them so they can withstand extreme pressure. Although you may notice some discoloration in your teeth after dental implant surgery, most of these colors disappear within six months.
7. Throwing Up and Nausea
It is normal for many people who undergo dental implants to experience abdominal discomfort right after the surgery. After all, a part of your stomach and digestive system has been disturbed. To reduce the intensity of your symptoms, stay away from spicy foods and alcohol for several hours. Also, your doctor may prescribe antiemetics (medications used to relieve vomiting) to ease your discomfort.
