Dental Implants and Their Aftercare

Dental implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth. They consist of a titanium post that is placed into the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone. The post is capped with a natural-looking restoration, such as a dental crown or bridge. After the procedure, patients must follow aftercare instructions to ensure the implants heal properly and do not require any additional treatments.

Need for Dental Implants 

Dental implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss because they replace the missing tooth root as well as the crown, or visible portion of the tooth. They are considered the gold standard of care for replacing missing teeth because they are the only restoration option that can prevent jawbone recession and stimulate natural bone regeneration. When a tooth is lost, the alveolar bone in the jaw loses stimulation and therefore starts to shrink. This can cause the other teeth to shift out of place. Another major reason for needing dental implants is to prevent premature aging. With the bone loss that occurs from missing teeth, the face can become prematurely aged as the jawline shrinks. Once a patient is missing all of their natural teeth, their jawbone can shrink so much that it can no longer support dentures or other restorations. This is why dental implants are considered the best option for patients who are considering full mouth restorations. 

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants have a number of benefits that make them the preferred choice for tooth replacement. Consider the following benefits of getting implants to replace your missing teeth:

• They stay in place permanently, giving you a confident smile that looks and functions as it was intended to again.
• They are easy to care for, so you can keep them clean and healthy with regular brushing and flossing.
• You can talk and eat normally without any concerns about your teeth slipping out of place or needing to be removed for cleaning.
• Your jawbone stays strong and healthy because the implant replaces the root of the missing tooth, helping to prevent the facial collapse that often happens with tooth loss.

How to Care for Your New Dental Implants

To care for your dental implants, you should keep them clean by brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to clean the implant screw and abutment, as well as the gum tissue surrounding the tooth. While your dental implant is healing, you should avoid eating hard or crunchy foods. You may also find it helpful to chew on sugarless gum to promote good circulation in the gums. Starting the day after you have the procedure done, rinse your mouth with salt water two to three times a day. If you experience any swelling, use a cold compress to alleviate the discomfort.

Another way you can care for your new dental implants is to visit your dentist regularly for teeth cleaning twice a year. During these visits, our team can also check the condition of your gums and other tissues to ensure there are no signs of infection or other issues. Your dentist will also give your smile a professional cleaning during the appointment.

To learn more about our dental procedures or to schedule your appointment for dental implants, call Whitlow Dental Care at (559)441-7700.