As we have previously explained, dental implants are performed in Saudi Arabia by inserting the roots of artificial teeth (implants) so that they are attached to the jaw bones, allowing the dentist or a specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery to place alternative teeth called crowns, dental implants can be an ideal option if you have one One or more missing permanent teeth, these teeth are designed so that they feel as if they work like your natural teeth and therefore no one will notice the difference. In this article, we will discuss what the dental implant procedure is and how to prepare for it, in addition to everything related to the surgery and the stage of recovery after the successful treatment .
Dental implants is a surgical procedure for patients who have cosmetic problems with their teeth that affect the appearance of the smile that can negatively affect their self-confidence. Teeth are fitted with new teeth so that they feel natural and in harmony with your other teeth that have not been replaced.
Obtaining dental implants requires several visits to the doctor, and this includes the first interview for a consultation and setting an appointment for placing and implanting the teeth, another visit for the operation, and another visit for follow-up.
Children may not be able to get dental implants until their jaw growth and development is complete in terms of the process of falling out and replacing the milk teeth with permanent teeth. The same applies to people with chronic diseases such as diabetes or leukemia.
Also, if you are a smoker, your dentist may not recommend surgery because smoking can slow down the healing process.
Dental implants can replace one or more permanent teeth missing due to accidents, gum disease, tooth decay or infection. When you speak with the experts at the Dental Implant Center during the initial consultation, they may discuss other options for tooth replacement Also, including dentures and bridges, they will also discuss with you whether you have enough space and bone in the area of your missing tooth for the procedure.
You may also have bone loss, which is why a bone graft is required before you can continue with dental implant surgery.
Before the operation, you will visit your dentist for an initial consultation where the doctor will conduct a comprehensive examination for you, take x-rays and discuss with you the options to develop the optimal approach to the operation and ensure its success.
Once the plan is in place and you are sure that you are in good health, the doctor will schedule the surgery. If your dentist recommends intravenous sedation for the operation, you may need another person with you to drive you home that day. Here are some tips that Dr. Dent offers you to prepare for the operation Such as:
- Food and drinks
If you are going to be under local anesthesia, you can eat a light meal two hours before the procedure. If you are under IV anesthesia, it is advised not to eat anything after midnight the night before the surgery. This helps to ensure that your stomach is empty.
- Medicines
Depending on the diagnosis, your dentist may prescribe some antibiotics for you to take for a few days before surgery to prevent premature dental implant failure.
- Lifestyle change before the operation
Smoking may reduce the success of dental implants because it can slow down the healing process. As mentioned above, if you are a smoker, talk to your dentist about whether or not you should have dental implants.
It is obvious that the dentist will explain to you the best and most appropriate method for dental implants according to your condition. In some cases, the implant can be placed and the tooth (crown) inserted on the same day. However, it is common for the implantation process to take place in several visits, usually separated by specific periods.
In the first stage where the surgery is to place the implants, you will have a local anesthetic to numb your mouth, or you will be given an intravenous sedative so that you will not feel any pain or discomfort.
The dentist makes a cut in your gums to place the implant in the jawbone in the place of the missing tooth. Once placed, the dentist closes the gum over the implant so that it remains covered.
You'll recover at home and likely go back to the second stage of the procedure in a few months. This is about giving enough time for the bones to grow around the implants, making them strong enough to stay in place. This process is called osseointegration, which means the titanium joins with the bone.
Each patient recovers differently according to his condition, so it may take up to six months before the replacement teeth are placed, and in some cases the patient can do the whole process in one visit to the doctor.
The dentist will examine you to make sure that the implant is secure and working properly. Next, he will place an attached piece called an abutment over the sawn portion of the implant. This is the portion that will hold the new tooth.
When your gums have healed, the dentist will make molds and take measurements of your teeth, so that a custom replacement tooth (also called a crown) is created and then the crown is attached to the abutment.
If your dentist is using intravenous sedatives, you will feel a little dizzy and groggy for several hours, so make sure you arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure.
After the implants are placed, you may experience some bruising, swelling, bleeding and slight pain. You may be advised to eat soft foods, cold foods, and warm soups during the recovery phase. To overcome any pain, your dentist will likely suggest a combination of medications that you should take, including Advil (ibuprofen). .
Dental implants usually require the same procedures for traditional dental hygiene to maintain their health, so brush your teeth twice a day and use floss, and see your dentist for regular follow-up appointments twice a year. Dental implants do not cause tooth decay, but they can be affected by gum disease, so from It is important to keep your teeth healthy and healthy at all times.
