If you are missing a tooth - or multiple teeth - the team at Bayer’s Road Dental Centre is proud to offer dental implants as a solution!.
When you’re missing a tooth, the surrounding teeth will shift position in an attempt to fill the gap, and your jawbone can resorb. This may change your appearance and cause you to look older. You may find yourself restricted from eating certain foods, because of pain or discomfort. You may even be self-conscious about having your photo taken, or speaking up in a social situation.
A dental implant is a small titanium fixture that functions like a tooth root in bone. The implant is integrated into your jawbone for a long-lasting, secure restoration. A dental crown is then attached to the implant, giving you the look of a natural tooth.
Dental implants can also be used to secure a denture, preventing it from shifting in your mouth.
Post Surgery Instructions:
To prevent discomfort and promote healing from the operation just performed, please follow the instructions.
- Please take the prescribed medications as directed prior to the local anesthetic wears off (i.e. one hour)
- Limit yourself to a semi-solid diet and avoid spicy and very hot food for one week. Do not use a straw.
- Avoid rinsing and spitting aggressively for 48 hours.
- Avoid smoking for 72 hours, as this may increase your risk of developing a dry socket, post-op infection and delay healing
- There may be occasional blood in the saliva for the first four to five hours. Apply pressure with a clean moist face cloth or moist sterile gauze to source of bleeding. If bleeding persists for more than one hour after constant pressure please contact our office.
- Gently apply ice to outside of face overlying surgical areas, alternating 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.
- You may follow your regular daily activities. Avoid excessive exertion of any type. Athletics and long exposure to the sun should be avoided for the first three days after the operation.
- If a surgical dressing has been used it will become semi-rigid within a few hours. If it becomes loose or falls out please call our office.
- You should use your toothbrush but avoid vigorous brushing of surgical areas.
Instructions Following Oral Surgery
Bleeding:
Keep the gauze pad in place for a half hour with constant firm pressure. Keep your head elevated and rest quietly. Do not suck, spit, or blow your nose excessively. If bleeding persists, place a moist gauze or tea bag on the surgical site for at least one hour. No smoking for 48 hours, as it prevents good healing.
Swelling:
Keep wrapped ice or a frozen bag of vegetables over the surgery area for 24 hours, alternating 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. Do not continue the application after 24 hours. Swelling will be the greatest in the next 48-72 hours. If swelling and/or discomfort persists apply moist heat on the area (A moist towel wrapped around a hot bottle or a towel moistened with hot water). Bruising may occur.
Medication:
Take the medication before the local anesthetic wears off; and as recommended by the doctor.
Diet:
Eat soft, cold foods for one day. Examples: ice cream, milkshakes, puddings, yogurts, instant breakfast, and progress, as tolerated, to a normal diet. Maintain a good fluid intake. Do not use a straw.
Mouth Care:
Avoid all rinsing for the first 24 hours following surgery and then rinse with warm salt water (a large pinch in a glass of warm water) 4 times daily (at the very least after every meal and before bed) for 7 days. You may brush your teeth, being careful around the extraction site. Stitches placed will dissolve in 3 to 7 days.