Single Tooth Implants

Do you have missing teeth? It is important to replace missing teeth. Eating and chewing with missing teeth can sabotage your bite and lead to incessant discomfort. Missing teeth can give rise to a mouth rearrangement that often results in facial changes that look elderly.

A single tooth implant procedure is available if a tooth has been extracted or is missing. A titanium implant base is placed into the jawbone to resemble the tooth root. We allow a period for the jawbone to heal over the implant base before fitting for a crown.

Next, an abutment is screwed into the implant base to allow for crown attachment on top. Finally, a custom fabricated crown is placed over the abutment, restoring function like a natural tooth.

There are two phases to implant dentistry.

Phase 1: The surgeon makes a precisely regulated incision in the gum tissues. The surgeon opens the gum tissue, and the jaw bone is tapped with a small drill and then drilled with a wider drill. The dentist secures the implant to the jawbone. The gum tissues are then closed, and the healing phase begins. Healing may take anywhere from 3-6 months.

Phase 2: Once the implant has healed, the dentist secures an abutment to the top of the implant. Next, a new tooth crown or denture is attached to the implant abutment.

Implants can replace a single tooth, several teeth, or dentures.

Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There will be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.

BLEEDING. Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. You can control excessive bleeding by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding area for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, please call the office for further instructions.

SWELLING. Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, eyes, and sides of the face is not uncommon as it is the body's normal process of repairing itself. Swelling does not always appear immediately. It may take 12 to 24 hours before swelling becomes apparent. Swelling may not reach its maximum until 2-3 days post-surgery. You can minimize swelling by the immediate use of ice packs post-surgery. You can apply two baggies filled with ice or ice packs to the same side of the face as the surgery. The ice packs should be left on continuously while you are awake. After 36 hours, ice has no beneficial effect. If swelling or jaw stiffness has persisted for several days, call the office.

DIET. Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or hot food. After surgery on the day, eat only soft foods or beverages. Resume your regular diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.

PAIN MEDICATION. You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, take 1 or 2 Tylenol or Extra Strength. You can take Tylenol or Extra Strength every 3-4 hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) is an decent alternative to Tylenol. Ibuprofen, bought over the counter, comes in 200 mg tablets: you can take 2-3 tablets every 3-4 hours as needed for pain. For severe pain, take the prescribed medication as directed. Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic or were instructed by Woodcreek Dentistry not to take it.

HOME HYGIENE CARE. The night before surgery, use the prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse before bed. The day after surgery, the Peridex should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds, then spit it out. Warm salt water rinses (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day, as well, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments is no problem, but be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas. Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. Physical activity could cause throbbing or bleeding of the surgical implant area.

WEARING DENTURES. You will always have teeth during your recovery period. Temporary partial dentures or full denture arches should not be used immediately after surgery and for at least ten days.