So you’ve decided to take the plunge and get yourself a brand new smile through the use of Dental Implants.  Congratulations! Thousands of patients every year are regaining their smile and their confidence through the use of this thousands of years old, but only recently perfected, technology.  Of course, now that you’ve decided to get implants you have to be sure you’re prepared for the operation and everything to come with it. At Fox Valley Dental Care we’ve been helping patients like you prepare for a successful transition to dental implants under the guidance of Dr. Bob Dokhanchi.  

What Do I Need To Know About Preparing For Dental Implants?
The first thing you need to know is that there is more than one type of dental implant, and which one you’re getting will make a difference in how you prepare for it.  Dental implants can be used to replace anything from a single missing tooth to an entire mouth full of teeth depending on the patients need and desires. The general preparation is going to involve a regular check-up and consultation, removal of any remaining teeth that are due for extraction and cleaning any remaining healthy teeth prior to the insertion of the implant base.

What Do I Need To Do Before The Surgery?
Generally speaking everything you need to do will be completed at the prior preparatory visit, but what you will need to avoid is eating anything for 8-12 hours prior to the surgery, especially if you’re going to be undergoing sedation for the procedure.  Avoiding eating or drinking will ensure that you don’t suffer from nausea after the surgery. Note that this is only necessary if you’ll be undergoing general anesthesia, local anesthesia doesn’t come with this requirement. That’s it! Preparation for your procedure is as simple as that.

What About After The Procedure?
Following the procedure, you’re likely to experience some bleeding which will be mitigated by the application of gauze for you to bite down on.  The sutures themselves will naturally dissolve over time, and thus don’t require an additional visit to have them removed. Following the procedure, you’re going to want to schedule some downtime for yourself to allow your body to recover from the shock and to determine what you’ll need to deal with any residual pain. Depending on how your surgery goes you may be given preventative antibiotics following the procedure.

How Long Till I can Return To Work?
The good news is you should be fit and able to return to work the day following your procedure!  However, it’s also important to note that while this is entirely possible you may want to give yourself a few days to recover if you have the option.  Surgery like this is often accompanied by some discomfort for about a week to follow, and many prefer to take this time as a recovery period rather than immediately return to work.  If you have any further questions contact Dr. Dokhanchi at Fox Valley Dental Care.