Throughout life, we can lose our teeth for various reasons, such as poor oral health, periodontal disease, and injury. For the longest time in the dental industry, dentures and bridges were the only solutions available for patients with missing teeth. 

Yet now, due to advancements in the dental industry, patients can opt for dental implants. This latest procedure involves surgically placing dental implants made of metal with a screw-like appearance. These implants act as the roots of the new artificial teeth that will be set in the place of the missing teeth. 

Image source

Dental implants come with a set of benefits, such as improving speech, making eating easier, boosting oral health, and making daily life comfortable. They are also durable and, with proper care, can last a lifetime. At the same time, they are also highly convenient because they eliminate the need to remove them, unlike dentures or using adhesives to keep them in place. 

With so many benefits, in-store dental implants are an excellent solution for people looking for a tooth replacement option. However, before considering it, a few essential factors can help you determine if this procedure is correct for you. 

  1. Choose the right dentist 

Getting a procedure like a dental implant from a certified practitioner professional with dental surgery experience is essential. However, getting the surgery done by an underqualified practitioner can lead to undesirable or harmful consequences. Therefore, before choosing a dentist, research clinics and dentists thoroughly. 

Many cities in California, like San Fransico, have the best oral health services. The city is home to many qualified licensed dentists and clinics that offer quality care and treatments. Patients can try the latest immediate all on 4 dental implants in San Francisco from SF Oral Surgery. The procedure uses four locations of the jawbone instead of six or eight locations to remove the top or bottom teeth. The quick and effective process can achieve a beautiful smile in just one procedure. Hence, this procedure is excellent for patients who do not qualify for traditional dental implants. 

Moreover, before considering a dentist, get referrals from friends and family; going to a recommended dentist is a safe and convenient option. Besides that, check online reviews of dental health services that you are considering. Lastly, make sure to know the dentist’s experience beforehand. 

  1. Make sure to have adequate bone

For dental implants, it is vital to remember that the patient has enough bone to be placed in, as the jaw bone acts as the base where the implants will be set. What’s important to remember is that once you lose a tooth, the jawbone starts shrinking. 

The more teeth you lose and the longer they have been gone, your jawbone will shrink. The mouth will collapse into the face once you start losing teeth as the jawbone’s purpose slowly fades. Hence, to know if your jaw bone is healthy and you have enough of it, get an x-ray. It will examine both jawbones and identify bone loss, blocked salivary ducts, and tumors.

Other than that, getting 3D imaging is also a good option. It allows the dentist to have a clear understanding of the health of the jaw bone and will enable them to give an accurate recommendation of procedures that can improve the health of your bone. Those treatments can include sinus lifts and bone grafting. 

  1. Prioritize oral health before getting surgery

No doubt, it is essential to take care of oral health daily. However, when considering dental implants, you must keep your teeth in good shape. Regularly practicing oral health will help you achieve long-lasting results and make healing quicker and more comfortable. 

Furthermore, Some of our bad habits can intervene with the procedure’s healing process, such as smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol. The reason is alcohol can cause bleeding complications during surgery, while smoking can increase the chances of developing gum diseases or infections after the surgery. Hence, your dentist will recommend you quit smoking and drinking for three months before surgery to achieve the best results. 

Besides that, it is important to brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily after every. Also, use mouthwash twice daily and avoid foods that damage teeth, such as sodas, candy, and other sugary items. In addition, eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables can improve oral health as the nutrients in them can clean up the plaque buildup in the teeth and improve the smell of your breath.

  1. Learn about the healing process 

Knowing what to expect from the healing process of the surgery can be a significant deciding factor. After surgery, the dentist will advise you to rest and take a few days off work. The initial healing of the procedure will take seven to ten days. In the first ten days, the gums will bruise, your face swell, and You will feel minor pain and discomfort. All these are signs of healing. However, if the pain is too much, then consult your doctor. 

Furthermore, your dentist will advise you on a soft and healthy diet to let the dental implants heal—for example, mashed bananas and avocados, fresh fruits or green juices, and baked or cooked beans. Your dentist will advise you to avoid carbonated drinks and alcoholic beverages as they can apprehensively impact the healing process. 

After two weeks, you can start exercising and eating firmers foods like pasta or rice. By this time, there won’t be much pain. Yet, the overall healing process of the surgery will take three to six months, as, after this timeline, you will see the best results. 

Conclusion 

Losing your teeth can severely impact your life as it can cause many problems, such as making you feel conscious, disturbing your eating habits, disrupting jaw functions, and causing malocclusion. However, dental implants are an excellent solution for teeth replacement compared to other traditional procedures.

Nonetheless, before considering it make sure to know all the factors that can help you decide to get dental implants. Such as choosing the correct dentist by doing proper research and ensuring your jawbone is checked to ensure you have sufficient of it for the surgery. Lastly, learn about all the essential pre and post-surgery details. Thus all these factors can help you decide if the surgery is the right choice.