August 24, 2022 by Gentle Dental 0 Comments

How to Heal After Dental Implant Surgery

Here are some tips for post-surgery care and long-term maintenance to keep your dental implants healthy.

Post-surgery care during the first 24 hours

Before your dental implants have been fitted your dentist will discuss post-surgery instructions so that you can properly prepare for healing.

You may be given anaesthetics before your dental implants are put in. In this case, you will be required to stay in the clinic until the effects wear off. You will be required to have someone drive you home after the surgery. Once home, here are some tips for healing in the first 24 hours:

  • Get plenty of rest. Avoid sleeping on the side of your implants as this will disturb the healing process.
  • Leave your mouth alone. You can ice the outside of your face for twenty minutes at a time with an ice pack or by wrapping ice in a towel.
  • Brush before bed. Brush your teeth before bed very gently. Make sure you use a toothbrush with gentle bristles and try to avoid disturbing your implant.
  • Take painkillers. You make take any medication as recommended by your dentist.
  • Drink plenty of liquids. Water, milk and non-acidic juice (avoid orange, pineapple or grapefruit juices as these can sting) will help keep you hydrated.
  • Try not to move too much. Your mouth needs time to heal so keep any activity during the first 24 hours to a minimum. Avoid jumping or sudden movement if you can.
  • Eat soft or liquid foods. In order to not disrupt your surgery site, eat only liquid or very soft foods, such as smoothies, yoghurt, ice cream, soups, or applesauce.

Post-surgery care on days 2-4

  • Rinse your mouth: On days 2-4 you can begin to rinse your mouth out very gently with salt water every few hours. Doing this too soon can disrupt the healing process.
  • Eat soft foods: Continue to eat soft foods. By the end of the week you should be able to introduce soft foods like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, soft bread and ground beef.
  • Compress with a warm cloth: Switch the ice pack for a warm compress on the outside of the jaw. This will help relieve the pain.
  • Don’t smoke. Smoking can irritate your wound and prevent your mouth from healing properly.
  • Soften your toothbrush. Use a soft bristled brush and run it under warm water before you brush.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise. Avoid any exercise that involves jumping or rapid movements or is physically strenuous.

 Post-surgery dental implant care for weeks 1-4

 1. Brush and floss regularly

After day four you can rinse your mouth 3-4 times a day and start following a brushing and cleaning routine. You will need to devote extra attention to cleaning and caring for your implants. Bacteria and food can easily get stuck around your implants and gums and form plaque. This can lead to infections or gingivitis. Take your time when flossing and brushing. Use a soft toothbrush in the weeks following your dental implant surgery.

 2. Attend all your scheduled dental appointments

Dental implants are made up of three parts including the screw, abutment and the crown. Most people will need to attend several appointments to complete the procedure and ensure their implant is healing properly before and after the crown is placed. Make sure you are attending all your scheduled appointments as your dentist needs to monitor your progress after the initial surgery.

 3. Notify your dentist if you have any concerns

 Dental implants have an extremely high success rate. However, you must notify your dentist immediately if there is swelling at the implant, it seems to slip or sink under your gum tissue, or you begin to feel extreme pain. Essentially, the faster your dentist addresses any problems with a dental implant, the less likely you are to have major issues or need it replaced in the future.

 4. Eat the foods your dentist recommends post-surgery

Go easy on your tooth for at least three months. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy eating the foods you used to but remember that until your post-surgery recovery period has passed, it is possible that you may not be able to eat hard or sticky foods. Your tooth and gums may take some time before healing completely. Let yourself heal before eating foods that could stick or put pressure on your teeth.

 5. Follow the instructions from your dentist

When you get a dental implant at Gentle Dental, your dentist will talk to you about the recovery process, including what pain medication you can take, when to come in for a checkup appointment and what to expect during the healing process. To book a dental implant consultation click here.

January 14, 2022 by Gentle Dental 0 Comments

Dental Implants vs Dental Bridges: Which is better?

What is the difference between a dental implant and a bridge?

Dental bridges are false teeth that are held in place by your surrounding real teeth. They are often made from porcelain or plastic and match the natural colour of your teeth. Dental bridges can be made to cover one or several of your teeth.

Dental implants are fake teeth that are surgically screwed into your mouth. They are usually made from titanium and are comprised of a screw and a fake tooth fitted on top, called a crown.

Tooth loss is not just something that affects older people. In New Zealand, over 1.8 million people have had a tooth removed at some point in their lifetime due to decay, abscess, infection, or gum disease.

When you lose a tooth, a proper replacement can help keep your mouth and teeth in good alignment. Replacement teeth can make chewing easier, keep your teeth straight, make your smile look better, and help maintain your face shape as we age.

If you are missing a tooth, or need to have a tooth removed, your dentist might recommend a dental bridge or a dental implant to fill the gap. Here is why we sometimes recommend dental implants over bridges as the best solution.

What are the pros and cons of having a bridge?

Pros:

  • Bridges can be more affordable than bridges
  • They do not require surgery or bone grafting
  • They can be fitted in a couple of weeks

Cons:

  • Dental bridges need to be replaced every 5-7 years
  • They can discolour the longer you have them
  • Patients are more likely to have cavities in the surrounding teeth
  • Dental bridges can cause damage to the healthy surrounding teeth
What are the pros and cons of having an implant?

Pros:

  • Dental implants last 15 years or longer
  • They retain a natural appearance when compared to bridges
  • They do not damage the surrounding teeth
  • They have a high success rate

Cons:

  • They are more expensive than bridges
  • It can take 6 months from start to finish
  • A small number of people have surgical complications
Why do we sometimes recommend implants over bridges?

While from the outside, a bridge might sound like the better option there are a few reasons why we may recommend dental implants as the best solution.

Dental implants are more expensive, but they are more durable and last twice as long as bridges. Bridges also need the support of the surrounding teeth. This means that the teeth to the left and right are filed down so that the bridge can be fitted either side of the lost tooth.

Over time, this can cause more problems to the surrounding teeth. These teeth are more likely to be damaged over time by decay.

Dental implants may feel like an invasive treatment, but they are a long-lasting solution. They also wear better and will keep a more natural tooth colour, than a bridge will.

Are there any scenarios where bridges are better than implants?

Yes, every patient is different, and implants are not always the best solution. If you have several teeth in a row that need to be replaced a bridge may be a better option.

Cost is also a factor, and some patients need a more affordable solution. Bridges are a cheaper alternative to implants. Some patients are also put off by the time it takes to get implants. The initial surgery can take a few months to heal from and It may take up to six months before a crown is fitted. A bridge is a much quicker option than a dental implant.

How do I know if I need a dental bridge or an implant?

You may need dental implants if you have:

  • Missing or chipped teeth that are risk of infection if not removed
  • Dentures that do not fit you very well
  • Signs of infection in your natural teeth that are getting worse
  • Deteriorating jawbone and have had missing teeth for a while
  • A sunken face due to missing teeth, as implants can help give your face some structure

The best way to know if you need a dental implant or dental bridge is to book an appointment with your dentist. At Gentle Dental, our qualified team will talk to you about your concerns and whether a dental bridge, dental implant or another type of dental solution is best for you.

Book your appointment for a dental consultation or checkup now.

June 9, 2021 by Gentle Dental 0 Comments

What are Dental Implants and How Do They Work?

In New Zealand, the percentage of adults who have missing teeth increases with every age group. While good dental hygiene is important to prevent the loss of a tooth, there are aesthetic solutions for their replacement.

Dental implants are excellent for people who need to replace one or more teeth. They are a permanent solution, are unparalleled in a cosmetic sense, and are nearly impossible to detect even when fitted next to real teeth.

So how do they work? A dental implant works like a screw-in tooth, with a receptor (the part that the crown screws into) insert placed into your jawbone to hold it in place. The receptor is usually made of an incredibly strong alloy or titanium. The crown (which is the tooth part) is made specifically to blend in with the rest of your teeth — making for a seamless and aesthetically pleasing result.

The most common practice for installing implants is very straightforward and simple. In fact, it’s often possible to remove a tooth, install the insert and place the implants all in the space of a single day.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

The benefits of having dental implants fitted is that they can replace one or more damaged teeth without needing to be anchored to your other teeth. This makes them a more permanent and natural solution than dentures or a dental bridge.

Dental implants are firmly secured into the jawbone which makes them incredibly durable. They provide a strong foundation that acts just like the root of a tooth does. They create a firm bone structure within your jaw and look and feel like natural, functioning teeth.

Dental implants do not require care in the same way that dentures do. As the results are permanent, you can look after your dental implant with brushing and flossing, as you would your regular teeth. Many patients enjoy the simplicity and freedom that dental implants offer when compared to less permanent options.

How are dental implants fitted?

The process of fitting dental implants always starts with a consultation. This is arguably the most important part of the process, as it’s paramount that the right details, dimensions and requirements for your surgery are taken into account. During the consultation, it’s common to undergo a clinical examination, X-ray scans and a CT scan Dentists use this scan to create a model to ensure optimum results.

Sometimes, there isn’t enough natural bone in the patient’s jaw to properly secure a dental implant, resulting in the need for bone to be grafted in to secure the insert. This involves leaving the graft in for a period of time during which it will bond to the natural bone of your jaw. This process provides more stability for your implant.

What does dental implant surgery involve?

Implant surgery is a common and well-established procedure, usually with a complete recovery. There are, of course, some discomforts associated with surgery — but these can be accounted for and often negated with the right consultation and care.

Before your surgery, you will be given instructions on what to do in the lead up to the procedure. This can include (but is not limited to) rinsing out your mouth with antibacterial mouthwash, not eating on the day of the surgery if you’re being sedated and taking prescribed antibiotics a few days before the procedure begins.

During the surgery, your dentist will place the titanium implant into your jawbone, right below the gums. This procedure can take one to two hours to complete, per implant. Most dentists will wait up to 3 months for the implant to heal before completing the final restoration. It is important that your gums and bone heals properly before they can secure the crown.

Once your healing period is complete, your dentist will fit the abutment and crown to the implant. An abutment is placed between the titanium implant and the crown to act as a shock absorber.

What is the cost of dental implant surgery?

Dental Implant treatment represents a slightly greater investment than conventional treatment; however, the benefits of implant therapy for most patients outweigh the minor additional cost involved.

As surgery requirements can differ from patient to patient, book a consultation at Gentle Dental, and we can give you a more accurate cost of the procedure.

What does post-surgery care involve?

After your implant surgery is completed, it’s important to take care of your new replacement teeth. Take extra care to carry out a thorough oral hygiene routine and come back to visit the dentist regularly to see how your implants are getting on.

All told, dental implants surgery takes longer than some other procedures, but the end result is totally permanent. At Gentle Dental, our friendly dentists can walk you through the process and tell you whether a dental implant is the best option for your smile. Book an appointment to see us today.