• By celia barrymore
• Published 01/3/2013

You need to prepare for dental implant surgery and arrange for post-operative care before you undergo this procedure. Your dental surgeon will guide you in these preparations. Here are a few details that will help you plan for the pre and post operative phases of a dental implant surgery.

Preparing for the Surgery:

During the first consultation with the surgeon, you must find out the answer to every question you have about dental implants. The dental surgeon will explain the different steps of the procedure. He/she will also clarify the advantages and risks of the surgery.

Keep in mind that no question is unimportant. It is a good idea to prepare a set of questions when you visit the dental surgeon for the consultation. Only after you are aware of the details, you will be able to make an informed decision in this regard. You may have to sign a consent form before you undergo this surgery.

The surgeon may recommend a dental CT scan or X-ray before he/she proceeds with the surgery. This is necessary to check the thickness of your jawbone. This is also necessary to determine the positions of the structures inside your mouth.

You also need to discuss the type of anaesthetic that will be used for the surgery with the surgeon. Most of these surgeries are done under local anaesthesia. The surgeon may prescribe a mild sedative to relieve stress and help you relax. In some rare instances, general anaesthesia may be used for these procedures.

Arranging for the Postoperative Care:

You need to rest for a few hours after the surgery to give time for the effects of the anaesthetic to wear off. If you were under local anaesthesia, you may need to rest for a few hours. However, if you were under general anaesthesia, you may need a little more rest.

It is a good idea to ask a family member or friend to drive you home after the dental implant surgery, as you may feel unsteady. You may also need to ask him/her to stay with you for a day or two after the surgery. Your dental surgeon will prescribe medication to ensure pain relief after the effects of the anaesthetic wears off.

Your dental surgeon will also prescribe antibiotics for you. These medications prevent infection at the site of the teeth implants. Make sure you consume the prescribed medications for a fast and effective recovery.

The dental surgeon will provide you with detailed guidelines that you need to follow for keeping your teeth and gums clean and free from infection. Regular brushing is important; however, you must avoid the implant site for the first few days. You may also need to use an antiseptic chlorhexidine mouthwash for the first week of the post-op phase.

You also need to eat soft foods cut into small pieces for a few days after the surgery. This will prevent damage to the dental implant. The type of treatment plan you have plays a significant role in the time necessary for complete recovery from the surgery.

Author Bio

Celia Barrymore is an orthodontic expert. She provides a brief overview of the things you need to know, such as the surgical procedure or the dental implants cost, before you undergo this surgery to replace missing teeth. If you are looking for teeth straightening with clear braces or teeth whitening with over-the-counter kits, she suggests you to visit http://www.oldquarterdental.ie/ for more information.