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Dental Implants Auburn MA Dental implants can be life-changing, especially if you don't remember the last time you enjoyed a meal or smiled because of missing teeth.What Are Dental Implants?Dental implants are small posts inserted surgically in the jaw to give you a natural smile. These serve as the roots of missing teeth, providing a strong foundation for fixed or replacement teeth that look just like your natural ones. These fuse with the jawbone to become a permanent fixture in your mouth. Besides giving you a beautiful natural smile, dental implants can improve your speech by eliminating the lisp that loose teeth may cause. These can also help you chew your food properly and, unlike dentures, will remain in place no matter how you eat. The Dental Implant ProcessWhether you have lost teeth due to blunt force trauma or tooth extraction, a trained and experienced surgical dentist can restore them. This is what you can expect during treatment: ConsultationThe dental surgeon will examine your gums and teeth during the initial consultation to determine your oral health. There should be sufficient healthy bone at the extraction site for the implants to hold. If the site is weak, you may get a bone graft before the implant.The dentist will ask you to provide your medical history, and a dental x-ray will be taken if you have multiple missing teeth. ProcessA dental implant is a complex procedure that involves the following steps:Extraction and PreparationThe oral surgeon will extract withered or dead teeth, if any, to make space for the implant. Your jaw will be prepped for surgery via a bone graft (if the bone is weak and to give the implant sufficient space to anchor itself).InsertionThe surgeon makes space in the jawbone via a drill after cutting away at the gum, and the implant is inserted into the tooth socket. The natural teeth surrounding the implant must be healthy for the implant to hold.Waiting PeriodYou will be sent home and told to wait three months to allow the bone to grow around the implants so it remains in place. Your artificial tooth or crown is made in a lab during this time.New Tooth RootOnce the implant has set into the bone, it acts as the new root for the brand-new crown that will be installed on top of the implant. The dentist will also use an abutment to keep the crown and implant in place.AftercareWhile there is little to no downtime post-implant, your dentist will advise you to follow these aftercare tips to prevent infection and to allow it to set:Avoid Hot Food and BeveragesHot food and drinks can exacerbate the implant area, which will be sensitive post-surgery. Stick to cold items for a while so the implant site can heal properly. Plus, stick to pureed or soft food for at least four weeks so the implant can heal and set.Don't Rinse or Brush Your TeethRinsing or brushing your teeth in the first 24 hours post-surgery may dislodge the blood clot on the implant site, making it bleed.No Smoking or AlcoholAvoid smoking for 10 days, and don't drink alcohol for at least 48 hours post-surgery. These may prolong the healing process and cause an infection.Avoid the Surgical SiteDon't run your tongue or fingers over the fresh implant, no matter how tempted you are. Bacteria can cause infections and break down the wound.Dental Implants in Auburn MAIf you want to get dental implants for a natural smile or have questions regarding the procedure, book a consultation at D.A. Dental by calling (774) 374-8295. For more information, check out our Definitive Guide to Dental Implants! |
