Your dentist has explained the dental implant procedure to you, but you may be wondering what happens after the operation. Here, our Markham dentists explain what you should expect from life after dental implants.
What are dental implants?
Are you missing one or more teeth? Your dentist may recommend that you have dental implants placed in your mouth to hold tooth replacements like crowns and bridges in place.
Dental bridges or crowns are restorations that look and function similar to a natural tooth. Having our Markham dentists place dental implants can help improve your oral and overall health.
What should I eat after surgery?
You will eventually be able to enjoy all of the foods that you love with dental implants. However, while recovering from your dental implant surgery, there are some foods you should eat and some you should strongly consider avoiding since they may irritate the incision site.
You’ll want to eat soft, nutritious food for the first few days after surgery. Here are some foods to stock up on:
- Jell-O
- Pudding
- Applesauce (high in fibre and vitamin C)
- Yogurt (no nuts or granola, though)
- Warm, broth-based soups (Filled with essential vitamins and protein-rich)
- Mashed potatoes (fibre-rich and soft, add cheese or gravy for flavour)
Will my dental implants function like my natural teeth?
Dental implants are customizable and long-term solutions. Your surgeon will choose replacement teeth that will be able to blend in with your natural ones.
The implants are fused to the jawbone and you’ll be able to speak, eat and drink without hassle. If you are curious about how people experienced life with dental implants, you may want to look up dental implant reviews online for ideas, tips and encouragement.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants are meant to last a lifetime and will usually only need infrequent adjustments. When compares to other tooth replacement options, dental implants can be a long-lasting solution if they are properly cared for.
Depending on your case, implants may be a more cost-effective solution in terms of lifetime cost when compared to bridges or crowns, which may need to be replaced sooner.
Proper Care
Caring for your dental implants is as easy as maintaining your natural teeth. Make sure to brush and floss twice a day, as a great oral healthcare routine is essential to your implant’s long-term success.
Regular Dental Appointments
Along with a strong oral healthcare routine, it's critical that you continue to visit your dentist twice each year. During this visits, your dentist will conduct a comprehensive cleaning to keep your teeth and your gums healthy.
He or she will also check the condition of your dental implant, and the health of your surrounding teeth. This allows your dentist to address any gum issues or deterioration early, or potentially prevent them entirely.
How can I maintain excellent health?
Lifestyle choices (such as abstaining from smoking and excessive drinking of alcohol) remain an important factor in your oral and overall health when it comes to life after dental implants.
Certain diseases like periodontal disease or other conditions can cause an increase in dental implant instability or failure. Because of this, it's important to follow your dentist or surgeon's instructions after your procedure.
