How to Care For Your Teeth After Implant Surgery
By Ramin Shabtaie | Published on November 2, 2010 | 0 Comments
Although often overlooked and under-appreciated, the advancements that are continuously being made in dentistry are actually pretty amazing. In today’s world, it is assumed that you can visit the dentist when you sense a problem in your mouth or just for your twice annual cleaning, but that wasn’t always the case. A century ago, going to the dentist on a regular basis was unheard of and losing teeth to decay was a way of life. Today, however, people are able to keep most of their teeth throughout their lives. And even when a problem does arise, quick action by you and your dentist can save your teeth and your oral health.
Even when decay has caused severe damage and your dentist chooses to extract a tooth, implants can be inserted that replicate a natural look. According to experienced dentist Ramin Shabtaie, who has performed numerous dental implant procedures in his Los Angeles office, implants continue to progress.
Although the technology has been around for 60 years, Dr. Shabtaie says that the implants your dentist uses today are an offspring of what was used years ago. A lot goes into ensuring almost guaranteed success rates in implant dentistry, including years of research and numerous tests. While there is always the rare possibility that there might be infection or rejection, it usually has more to do with a patient’s poor oral hygiene or health than the implant itself. This is why, Dr. Shabtaie continues, stepping up your hygiene routine to ensure optimal oral health after your implant surgery is an absolute must. Because infection is a major concern after oral surgery and can be detrimental to the life of your implants, if you have neglected your teeth in the past, now is the time to change your regimen.
In fact, says Dr. Shabtaie, before proceeding with implants, you should establish a good routine so that you will be able to continue the same process afterward. This will provide both you and your dentist with more assurance that the implants will be successful.
When a dentist notices poor oral hygiene in a patient, Dr. Shabtaie says, he must do a bit of investigating to determine why the patient is not cleaning properly. Factors can include age, poor dexterity, health problems, or the fact that the patient just doesn’t care.
After a deep cleaning at the dentist’s office and suggestions for improving at-home care, the patient is usually ready to move forward with the procedure. It really is team work that involves the oral surgeon, restorative dentist, and hygienist to rehabilitate a person’s mouth.
After your implant surgery is successfully completed, it is generally recommended that you visit your dentist more than the standard two times a year to ensure that the site of the implant has healed properly and that all of your other teeth are in great condition. It is important to make sure that the implant has integrated into the bone properly, which can take several weeks. Follow-up x-rays are also required to monitor the healing process. It is very much like a prescription that is changed for every person, Dr. Shabtaie says. If the dental team feels as though there are no issues, then returning to a schedule of visits every six months won’t be a problem. However, Dr. Shabtaie adds, if there are other issues present, then you will definitely need to come into the office more often.
Most of the time, he explains, if an infection does occur, it can be treated through medication. In rare instances, the implant may need to be removed to let the site heal before another implant can be placed. Following your dentist’s recommendations for the healing period after your surgery is an absolute must to ensure a healthy mouth.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.