Want to know more about oral implant surgery? 5 top FAQs answered

So, you’ve had enough of having that gap in your smile and you have resolved to conceal it with oral implants.

And while you may know a fair amount about what oral implants are, what they are made from and how long they last, there are precious few articles available on the subject of the fitting or surgery itself. While a rather unpopular area to focus on, it is often vital for potential implant patients to know as much as they can about the fitting prior to it occurring, so they can prepare and know what to expect on the day.

In this article, 5 of the most common queries revolving around having a dental implant near Melbourne fitted are answered, keeping you in the know about the entire procedure. Enjoy!

Is it uncomfortable?

The idea of having incisions made into your gums and having holes drilled in your jaw sounds far from pleasant.

However, when you are having an oral implant fitted, your dental team will make sure your mouth is numbed before they begin the surgery. And once the procedure is complete, any discomfort should be able to be managed with over the counter pain relief. If it isn’t manageable, contact your dentist for an appointment.

How long will it take?

On average, an oral implant being fitted on the lower jaw can take between 1 and a half to 3 hours to fit. On the upper jaw, it can take longer but these times are based on a standard endosteal implant being fitted. For a zygomatic implant, the procedure is a lot longer.

As such, if you are having multiple implants fitted, your dentist may wish to spread the appointments out, so you do not sit in the dental chair for hours on end!

I read it can need multiple appointments- is this true?

Following on from the previous point, yes, it can take multiple appointments to fit a set of oral implants.

Your dental team will aim to have these procedures spaced over a 2 week period, so the implants can fuse to the jaw in a similar time frame. Also, you have to remember that the fitting of an oral implant is a delicate procedure, so spacing of appointments is important to ensure that the end result is correctly fitted and that the dentist performing the procedure does not become tired.

How long does the healing take?

dental-implant2

The healing of the gums following an oral implant can take between 2-4 weeks.

But this will require you to follow some fairly strict aftercare, which your dentist will be able to provide for you on the day of surgery.

Can I smoke after the surgery is over?

You can, but it is not advised!

Smoking and oral implants do not go well together and so, if you smoke you can inadvertently cause your implants to have a shorter lifespan.

If you want to give up prior to the fitting (good for you!) talk to your dental team.

DISCLAIMER

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Apurva Thakur

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