Implant-Supported Dentures: Procedure and After-Care
A popular method to replace missing teeth is implant-supported dentures for many reasons. These replacements are a hybrid method combining dental implants with dentures providing a sturdy set of artificial teeth.
They understand what to expect after completing the implant-supported denture procedure and can help you when thinking about other replacement options available on the market. After-care of implant-supported dentures is relatively simple and straightforward. However, expect the dentist near you to offer specific tips to care for your artificial teeth with dental implants. Please keep reading to learn more about the directions they offer.
After-Care Tips after the Implant-Supported Dental Procedure
When getting implant-supported dentures, you must undergo surgery to have four or six dental implants surgically embedded in your jawbone. Although the surgical procedure is painless because you receive anesthesia and sedation, you can expect discomfort as the anesthesia wears off. Your dentist will suggest taking over-the-counter or prescription painkillers to alleviate the pain, besides offering other tips for a comfortable recovery.
If you are considering full dentures near you and preparing for the procedure, the tips mentioned below are beneficial after undergoing a complete mouth transformation by getting implant-supported dentures.
Care Tips after the Implant-Supported Denture Procedure
Getting Plenty of Rest
As mentioned earlier, implant-supported dentures require surgery to embed dental implants in your jawbone. Your dentist will likely recommend resting in plenty to ensure appropriate healing of the wounds. When you undergo surgery under anesthesia, your entire body takes a toll making it necessary for you to take time off from work or school. You must also avoid strenuous activity that can stress or wear your body.
Excellent Oral Hygiene
It is extremely important to practice excellent oral hygiene after implant-supported dentures are placed in your mouth. During the healing, your mouth remains vulnerable to bacterial buildup, which can result in long-term damage to the implant sites. Your dentist recommends rinsing with saltwater three times daily to clean your mouth without relying on mouthwash brands containing alcohol harmful to the implants.
Ice packs And Cold Compresses
The surgical procedure for implant-supported dentures will leave you with swelling and bruising. These are expected and considered normal by the dental fraternity. However, you can alleviate the situation using ice packs and cold compresses on your cheeks, keeping them there for 15 minutes at a stretch before moving them to another location. You must use the ice packs intermittently without leaving them on your cheeks for over 15 minutes because they can cause tissue damage.
Refrain from Regular Eating Habits
When you consider full dentures in Trafalgar, IN, you must prepare to refrain from regular eating habits for a few days after dental implant placement. This is because your dental implants need time for healing, making it essential to have a soft diet to ensure the dental implants don’t incur damage or infections. Dentists recommend having a soft food diet or relying on liquids like smoothies, soups, broth without meat chunks, and other soft foods like mashed potatoes, applesauce yogurt, et cetera.
If you are aware of what your recovery entails after implant-supported dentures are placed, it can help you determine which replacement option is best for your needs instead of considering various solutions on the market and needing clarification.
When considering replacement options for most of your teeth, your choices are limited because you can consider individual dental implants with fixed artificial teeth or implant-supported dentures. However, individual dental implants to replace all teeth in your mouth are an impractical solution because it is more expensive and requires extensive healing before you can get artificial teeth in your mouth. In contrast, implant-supported dentures require four or six dental implants to hold a complete arch of missing teeth in the upper or lower jaw, making it an ideal solution for individual implants.
Implant-supported dentures do not require special maintenance besides brushing and flossing your artificial teeth and getting six monthly dental cleanings. However, you must ensure you don’t allow dental plaque to accumulate around the implants or remain on the artificial teeth because it can result in gum disease and, eventually, implant failure. However, as long as you follow the suggestions mentioned in this article and prepare for the surgical process, you will have no difficulty in replacing all teeth in a row with implant-supported dentures.
If you miss all your teeth in a jaw, implant-supported dentures provided by Indian Creek Family Dentistry are an excellent option giving you a complete arch of missing teeth as a denture. Please arrange an appointment with them today to start planning for your surgical procedure and replace your missing teeth in a simple process.