Things You Can Do To Prepare For A Dental Implant
If you have lost a tooth to decay or other dental trauma, you may be thinking of getting a dental implant. However, before undergoing your implantation procedure, there are a few things you should do to prepare.
Dental implant procedures are largely successful. However, on rare occasions an implant may fail. Still, most failures are due to issues that could have been averted. Here are things you can do prior to your implant surgery to improve the procedure's chance of success.
Brush With a Fluoride Toothpaste Twice Daily
If a tooth has already been lost, it may seem as though brushing is of little importance now. However, the effectiveness of your brushing is still important if you are planning to receive a dental implant.
A dental implant is held in place by your jawbone, gums and other soft tissues. These oral components are significantly affected by your oral hygiene.
If plaque is not regularly brushed away, the acid released by the bacteria in the substance continues to build up. The accumulation of acid results in a lower pH within the mouth.
The acidic environment can inflame the gingival tissues and damage the tooth enamel to cause decay. Inflammation of the gums can result in gum disease, which can block a dental implant wound from healing correctly. In addition, tooth decay can reach the interior layers of a tooth, inciting a dental infection that could eventually reach the jawbone.
The use of a fluoride toothpaste during brushing sessions is important because fluoride helps make the teeth more resistant to damage from bacterial acids. In addition, it helps reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth.
Stop Using Tobacco Products
Whether you smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco, it is important to stop before the placement of a dental implant. Tobacco contains many chemicals, including toxins and irritants that could cause an implant wound to heal slower. The longer an implant wound remains unhealed, the greater the risk of an infection.
People who smoke tend to have a reduced amount of oxygen in their blood. Since oxygen is important to the healing of tissues, this factor could also impair the healing of an implant wound.
If you are just deciding to stop your tobacco usage, you may want to wait several weeks before having your implant surgery. This will allow some of the negative effects of the tobacco to subside before the procedure.
For more information about dental implants and how to prepare for an implant procedure, schedule an appointment with a dentist, such as at Pittsburgh Dental Spa, in your local area.