Preparing For A Dental Implant Procedure

Making the decision to replace a missing tooth with a dental implant is a smart choice, and it is likely one you will be glad you chose for years to come. If you have already met with a dentist but are interested in what it will involve and how you can prepare for it, here are several things you should know about the preparation steps you may have to work through as you prepare to go in for the first step of the procedure.

You may need to take an antibiotic

A lot of dentists will issue antibiotics to people who are preparing for dental implants, and this is usually just a preventative measure taken to help avoid problems during the process. Antibiotics destroy bacterial infections in the body, including those in the mouth, and your dentist will want to make sure that you do not have an infection in your mouth before undergoing the procedure. This is typically why your dentist might give you an antibiotic to take about one week before your procedure is scheduled.

You may be required to use prescription mouthwash beforehand

A lot of dentists also give people prescriptions for mouthwash products before going through the dental implant procedure. Using a prescription mouthwash is another preventative measure your dentist may recommend, simply because using a mouthwash can help you have a cleaner mouth. The mouthwash can kill bacteria in your mouth, and this can help the implant procedure go smoother and with fewer complications.

You may need to stop smoking

If you smoke, your dentist is likely to ask you to stop at least one to two weeks ahead of time. Smoking complicates things with this procedure, as it reduces the flow of blood and oxygen to tissue in the mouth. The result of this is that it takes longer for your mouth to heal, which presents a higher risk of developing an infection.

You will need to plan for a ride to and from the clinic

You should also plan on having someone available to take you and pick you up from the dental clinic when you have this done, as you will likely need some form of sedation to help you relax during the procedure.

After having this done, you will likely begin feeling pain in your mouth as soon as the numbing agent wears off. Your dentist will give you instructions to help you know how to handle this and how to manage any bleeding or problems you might have with the implant. Within a couple of days, your mouth should begin feeling relatively normal. To learn more about the dental implant process, contact a dentist in your town to schedule an appointment.

For more information, contact a company like Amato Dentistry today.


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