Having a missing tooth can not only make you feel self-conscious about your appearance, it could also lead to bone loss in the jaw and alter the way that your mouth closes on a regular basis. Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant can be an effective way to ward off the problems associated with tooth loss.
Here are three things that you can do to prepare yourself for a dental implant in the future.
1. Plan for pre-placement appointments.
Before your dentist can place a dental implant in your mouth, extensive information must be gathered regarding the condition of your jaw bone and the contours of your teeth. This information is used to help your dentist generate an implant that will blend seamlessly with your existing natural teeth.
Your dentist will require you to come in for a pre-placement appointment (and possibly several appointments, depending on your individual needs). X-ray images will be taken and molds of your mouth will be made to help facilitate the creation of your dental implants.
2. Plan for a bone graft.
If your tooth has been missing for a period of time, the bone underlying the missing tooth may have started to deteriorate. Your dental implant will need a solid foundation in which to be surgically placed, and a deteriorating jawbone cannot provide this foundation.
Your dentist may decide that you need to undergo a bone graft prior to receiving a dental implant in order to replace bone mass that has been lost or damaged. When you make the decision to invest in a dental implant, be sure that you are planning for a bone graft when determining your treatment timeline.
3. Take antibiotics as prescribed.
Since the placement of a dental implant can be considered a surgical procedure, your dentist may want you to take a course of antibiotics to help ward off any infection that might plague you during the healing process.
The mouth is host to a variety of bacteria strains, and some of these organisms could find their way into your incision site. By taking the antibiotics your dentist prescribes both before and after your dental implant has been placed, you reduce the likelihood that you will experience complications caused by a serious infection as you heal.
A dental implant can serve as a valuable tool when it comes to replacing a missing tooth and preventing any oral damage that may be associated with tooth loss. Be sure that you are prepared for your dental implant by planning ahead for pre-placement appointments, scheduling time for a bone graft into your treatment plan, and taking any antibiotics your dentist prescribes.
Share29 August 2017
After dealing with a few root canals, I realized that it was time to take my dental hygiene a more seriously. I talked with my dentist about what I could do differently, and he was full of great suggestions that would help. He walked me through different ways to brush, floss, and take care of tartar buildup, and it was really amazing to see the difference that it made. I also started taking a fluoride supplement to strengthen my enamel. When I made it to my next appointment, my dentist was blown away with the improvement. This blog is all about improving your dental appointments by keeping your teeth healthier.
