(217) 546-3333Caring for Your Dental Implants
March 31, 2014
Dental implants are one of the most common types of tooth replacement used in dentistry today. After receiving dental implants to replace broken or missing teeth, there are a few guidelines you should follow to ensure a speedy and comfortable healing process. Creating a proper aftercare routine will help you maintain your implants for years to come.
It is incredibly important to maintain proper oral hygiene following dental implant surgery. Your dentist may give you a special mouthwash to use a few times each day. Salt water washes can speed the recovery in the healing area and may be recommended a few times each day. Regular brushing and flossing is encouraged for the entire mouth, including the healing areas. Start very gently in tender areas and increase pressure gradually. Daily oral maintenance will keep surgical areas from becoming infected and painful.
Immediately after surgery, you can expect light bleeding and swelling to occur. Apply ice packs around the neck and face to reduce swelling and blood flow to the area following the general rule of 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. Biting down on gauze can also help to stop bleeding near the surgical site. If blood flow cannot be stopped, or lasts for a few days, contact your dentist immediately.
Your dentist will send you home with pain management instructions. Often all that is needed is over-the-counter pain medication. Most dental implant surgeries cause minimal pain and tenderness for a few days. Depending on the specifics of your surgery, you may be given prescription pain meds or antibiotics.
Avoid disturbing the surgical site as much as possible during healing. Spitting, rinsing and using a straw should also be avoided to ensure that clots remain in place. Physical exercise can increase blood flow, and is not recommended for the first few days after surgery.
Dr. Matt VanderMolen will give you detailed instructions for proper after-care following your dental implant surgery. Contact the friendly staff at Advanced Dental Care of Springfield, 217-717-4991, to learn more today.
Replace Missing Teeth & Support Bone Structure with Dental Implants
March 3, 2014
How can dental implants support facial bone structure?
Tooth loss is a common occurrence as age increases. Many people do not know that losing teeth can affect your facial bone structure, as bone around a missing tooth tends to deteriorate. Preventative maintenance and regular dental visits can help to prevent tooth loss, but many still find themselves with missing teeth. Dental implants can replace your missing teeth and restore your natural smile.
A Missing Tooth Affects the Facial Bone
When teeth fall out naturally, become damaged from trauma, or are removed for health reasons the jawbone is affected. Pressure on our natural teeth during eating and chewing provide healthy stimulation to the underlying bone which helps keep it strong and healthy. When teeth are missing, this pressure is not maintained and the bone can start to deteriorate. With dental implants, the jawbone will maintain the stimulation it needs and maintain its natural strength.
A Dental Implant Mimics a Real Tooth
A dental implant acts just as a real tooth does in function and design. Since each tooth has a specific role for eating, the loss of even a single one can affect your ability to chew. Replacing a missing tooth helps maintain the dental arch structure of your mouth and your chewing ability.
Not only do teeth function in eating, but they maintain the placement of your facial features as well. When teeth are lost, movement takes place beneath the skin that can alter the look of your mouth and face. Dental implants can prevent this movement while maintaining your outer appearance.
Dental implants, though not true teeth, provide the most natural alternative in both form and function.
Dr. Matt VanderMolen is the dental implant specialist you can trust for all your replacement needs. For more information about how dental implants, contact Advanced Dental Care of Springfield at 217-717-4551. We look forward to working for you!
Click here for more information on all the services available at Advanced Dental Care of Springfield