Do’s and Don’ts for Dental Implants
Learn what you should and shouldn’t do to support a successful implant procedure.
Are you considering dental implants to replace your missing teeth? This option is far superior to bridges or dentures. It truly is a lasting, lifetime solution that you will love. However, if you want to be sure you’re among the over 90 percent of patients who enjoy a successful dental implant procedure, you will want to read up on these do’s and don’ts related to getting dental implants.
Do Choose an Experienced Implant Dentist: The skill and experience of your implant dentist is of tantamount importance when it comes to the long-term success of your implants. You want to be sure you are working with an experienced dentist who has placed lots of implants and can explain the pros and cons of different types of implants to you.
Don’t Fib About Your Health and Habits: Smoking and gum disease are two big risk factors for dental implants. If you are prone to gum disease infections, let your dentist know so that you can be extra careful to ensure any infections are well-controlled before and after surgery. Also, you must disclose if you are a smoker. Smoking will hinder the healing process, so unless you feel confident you can quit smoking until your implants have healed, you might want to reconsider investing in dental implants.
Do Learn How To Maximize Your Insurance: Most insurance plans do not cover dental implants per se. But they may provide coverage for certain parts of the procedure, such as the crown that fits over your implant. At California Dental Group, our care coordinators can help you figure out how to maximize your coverage and get a reliable price estimate before beginning treatment.
Don’t Choose the Cheapest Implant Option: Implants are costly, but remember that they are a lifetime solution for missing teeth. It is worth investing in the best treatment for your needs, rather than the cheapest one.
Do Be Patient After Surgery: For best results, it is advisable to allow the dental implant peg to heal and bond with the bone in the jaw before placing the crown on top of it. This prevents the stress from biting and chewing from interfering with healing and possibly weakening the implant.
Don’t Postpone Your Treatment: The longer you are missing a tooth, the greater the risk of bone loss in your jaw. Dental implants will halt bone loss by bonding with the bone. This is just one more reason not to delay any longer, but instead call California Dental Group today for a dental implant consultation.
