A dental implant is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that involves the replacement of a tooth or a set of teeth. Implants are quite literally artificial tooth roots anchored on the jaw bone, used for restorative and aesthetic purposes. This provides the opportunity for patients to eat what they want without having to worry about biting or chewing irregularities, malnutrition, further damage to the oral cavity, and other consequences of tooth loss.
After the initial implant surgery, discomfort should be minimal, and you may experience bleeding and swelling at the implant site. However, this is normal. Prescription pain medication may be provided to you by your dentist to relieve you of any pain and discomfort. Maintaining good oral hygiene is important to experience the long-lasting effects of the procedure. Taking care of your implants can simply be a matter of taking care of your natural teeth.
One of the most important ways to avoid dental implant complication is to follow your dentist's instructions on post–operative care and maintenance.
Your diet should be restricted to soft food about a week after the procedure. If stitches are present, they may have to be removed first by the dentist before you go back to eating solid food. Your dentist may, however, use self-dissolving stitches.
Oral hygiene for patients who have had dental implants in Los Angeles is even more important. This is because the natural teeth, jaw, and oral cavity structure have been replaced by artificial objects, which makes infections, or symptoms thereof, difficult to detect.
In addition, you should get dental x–rays approximately twice a year to detect early signs of dental implant failure. This will also prove less costly in the long run.
Care for dental implants in Los Angeles as you would your natural teeth. This means that you should brush your teeth, natural and artificial, gums, and the surrounding area at least twice a day. Failure to floss is also one of the leading causes of implant failure. Like normal teeth, too much sugary or sticky food intake should also be limited. Teeth clenching and grinding, or any other movement that puts too much pressure on the implant should also be avoided.
Finally, consult with your dentist regularly. Remember that dental implants in Los Angeles may be designed to last a long time, but these artificial teeth also experience regular wear and tear like any other natural tooth.