Dental implant surgery procedures have come a long way. The ancient Mayans used to hammer pieces of shell into the mouths of those who had missing teeth. Today, the procedure is high-tech and very effective. It’s true that many people fear dental surgery. They worry about pain and the time that they’ll need to spend in the dentist’s chair! However, there is really no reason to be afraid. We’re going to share some important facts to help you ease your fears about dental implant surgery.
It’s Actually a Minor Procedure
Think of it this way: compared to heart surgery or brain surgery, it’s a pretty minor procedure! Your dental care team will do everything to make you feel comfortable. A dentist will map everything out before he begins to work on your teeth. This means that a complete treatment plan will be created and that incisions will be made only where they need to be. Incisions make room for the implant itself, which usually consists of a titanium facsimile of a tooth root. This root will hold the replacement tooth or crown in place.
You Won’t Need Anesthetic
Some dental procedures require that patients be “put under” via anesthetic. However, this isn’t one of them! Since tissue won’t be disrupted very much and stitches will be of the self-absorbing variety, a simple pain reliever may be enough to minimize or eliminate post-procedure discomfort. Also, expect fast healing in most cases. This procedure has an extremely high success rate!
Treatment Happens in Stages
You won’t need to spend endless spans of time in a dentist’s chair, as this procedure happens in organized stages. First, the root will be implanted. After this, you’ll heal for a few weeks and healing shouldn’t interfere with your daily activities at all. Once you’ve healed, you’ll go back in and have the replacement tooth set within the root. It will fit snugly and look very much like a real tooth. As well, it will be strong enough to function the way that an actual tooth does.
Now that you have the inside scoop on why dental implants are nothing to fear, you’ll be ready to see your dentist. He or she will know for sure whether or not you’re a good candidate for this procedure. Once your dental implant procedure is scheduled, you’ll know that you’re in good hands.
