What is Implant Treatment?
Implant or dental implant treatment is made with constructions of titanium in the form of a screw or root used in cases with missing teeth, implanted within the jaws with the purpose of ensuring the healing of the bone around this construction and accept it as a part of its own. It is the most health and reliable method used in dentistry for single or multiple missing teeth. It can be applied to everyone with sufficient amount of bone. Implanting can be carried out after bone grafting in cases without sufficient amount of bone.
How Will Implant Treatment be Applied?
Implant treatment has two stages. The first stage is the placement of the implant within the jaw. This procedure will be carried out under local anesthesia. The procedure will take between 10 minutes to 30 minutes. This period can increase depending on the number of implants and jaw of the patient. You must see your dentist on the day after the operation. Your stitches will be removed one week later. A period of 2 to 4 months will be required for the adaptation of the screw to the bone. This adaptation period depends on the implant being constructed for the upper or lower jaw. After this, the treatment will be completed with the crown or prosthesis that will be placed on the implant, which is the second stage.
Will There be Pain and Swelling after Implant Treatment?
Since the implant treatment will be carried out under local anesthesia, patient will feel nothing during the procedure. Pain will appear after the effect of the anesthesia will become to wear off after the operation. However, pain will disappear if the painkillers recommended by the dentist are taken. Application of ice packs on the operation area after the operation will prevent swelling and bruising. The patient will encounter no difficulties if the precautions are complied with. Feedbacks from patients who had received implant treatment indicate that implant operation is easier than extraction, and pain following the wearing of anesthesia is similar to the pain after extraction.
What are the Precautions Following the Implant Operation?
- Bite the tampon in your mouth for 45 minutes after the operation. Do not put anything in place of the tampon such as cotton wool, gauze or anything else after dispose the tampon.
- Apply cold on the operation area throughout the day of operation (wrap the icepack in a towel and apply it to the operation area throughout the day).
- Do not consume hot foods or drinks during the day of operation.
- Do not consume very hard foods or foods with particle after the operation.
- Do not take hot showers or baths during the day of operation.
- Do not smoke or take alcohol during the day of operation.
- Do not rinse your mouth frequently during the day of operation, gargle and avoid spitting.
- Take the painkiller recommended by your dentist before the effect of the anesthesia wears off.
- Take care to take the drugs recommended by your dentist regularly.
- Do not use painkillers and antibiotics not prescribed by your dentist. Particularly, avoid aspirin and other painkillers that are derivatives of aspirin.
- Start using the mouthwash prescribed by your dentist on the second day following the operation.
- Brush your teeth twice a day starting from the next day of the operation in order to ensure the continuity of your oral and dental health. Brush the operation area gently with a soft toothbrush.
- Use two pillows under your head in order to keep your head higher on the day of operation.
- Take care not to lie on the operation area on the day of operation.
- Some swelling and bruising is normal after the operation. Such complaints will increase within the first 3 days; however, they will gradually diminish and disappear in the following days.
- Please consult your doctor is pain persists for three days or longer following the operation.
- Bleeding in the form of leakage in the operation site on the day of operation; however, see your doctor by all means in case of bleeding for a longer period.
- Visit the clinic 1 week later after the operation for the removal of the stitches.
Can Implants be Placed in Cases that the Jaw Bone is Insufficient?
Height, form, thickness and quality of the bone is a very important factor for the success of the implant treatment. Bone powder (bone grafts) will be added to this area in cases where the level of the bone is insufficient. A certain period of time will be required for the ossification of the bone powder. Bone grafting will elongate the treatment period; however, it will also increase the success rate. This procedure must be carried out by all means in cases where the level of bone is insufficient, and implant treatment will be shifted to later.
How is the Implant Care Must Be Carried out?
Health problems encountered in normal teeth can be seen also in implanted teeth. Care requires effective cleaning and complying with routine dental care procedures. You must use the dental cleaning materials including the mouthwash, oral shower, dental floss or interdental brush recommended by your dentist regularly. You must brush your teeth at least twice a day and for 2 minutes as described by your doctor. Implants can be used for a lifetime if you carry out your oral care and see your dentist regularly.
You can face problems such as decays or gingival problems if you fail in regular care. Osteoporosis can follow, which can lead to the loss of implant. This problem can rapidly affect the health teeth, and serious losses can be encountered because of gingival problems related to decays.
