Dental Implants Woodside
The Most Lifelike Way to Replace Missing Teeth
Dental implants not only create a more natural-looking smile but also improve the way you eat, speak, and feel about yourself. Our in-house periodontist, Dr. Arsuaga, allows us to provide full-service dental implant placement and restoration in our Woodside dental office. She also offers implant dentures and All-On-4. If you are interested in learning whether dental implants in Woodside are the right option for you, call us to schedule a consultation today.
Why Choose Woodside Dental Care for Dental Implants?
- In-House Periodontist Who Places Dental Implants
- Rebuilding Woodside Smiles Since 1994
- Enhanced Dental Imaging Produces Accurate Treatment Plans
What Are Dental Implants?
When you first look at a dental implant, you might think it looks just like a screw. Technically, that is what it is – a titanium screw that works just like a natural tooth root. Its placement within the jawbone and biocompatibility make it possible to fuse with the bone tissues to create a stable base for your new tooth or set of teeth. As the only root-to-crown restorative solution available, dental implants are viewed as the gold standard among oral healthcare professionals.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Each person’s dental implant process will be different; however, the same four steps are used to make sure that these new teeth have the best chance for success. To receive dental implants, you will be required to undergo a scheduled consultation, dental implant surgery, a healing period of three to six months, and the delivery of the final restoration. In the end, you will be able to fully embrace a newer, healthier, and more attractive smile.
Benefits of Dental Implants
From day-to-day benefits that make eating and general life easier to better oral health and the ability to enjoy a smile that can last decades or a lifetime, it’s impossible to deny the countless advantages that come with permanent prosthetics. Whether it’s your improved facial appearance thanks to continuous jawbone stimulation or easy-to-maintain teeth that require no special products or instruments, these are just a few of the benefits you can expect when choosing dental implants.
Dental Implant Post-Op Instructions
Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option out there. Thanks to their ability to replace the roots of the missing teeth, they allow for a wide range of benefits that you can’t get from dentures or dental bridges. To achieve this, getting dental implant requires a multi-step process, including a surgical procedure. We will provide you with post-op instructions so you can heal quickly and effectively. Here’s what they may look like.
What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery
The most important part of dental implant recovery is to not disturb the blood clot located at the surgical site. This clot is necessary for the area to heal properly. Here are some things that you should avoid to keep this clot in place.
- Spitting: Swallow your saliva or use a tissue.
- Straw: The suction of the straw can dislodge the blood clot.
- Smoking: Don’t smoke following your procedure.
- Touching: Keep your tongue and fingers away from the surgical site.
Common Side Effects When Recovering from Dental Implant Placement
Side effects are common after dental implant placement surgery. Here are some that you may experience:
- Bleeding: Minor bleeding during the recovery period is common. This can be reduced with clean gauze and light pressure.
- Inflammation: For the first 72 hours following your procedure, you may have some swelling. You can lessen this with a cold compress.
- Discomfort: Soreness is common following dental implant placement. This can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Your Diet After Dental Implant Surgery
Following your procedure, it’s a good idea to stick to softer foods so you don’t aggravate the surgical site. Here are some suggestions.
- Scrambled eggs
- Mashed potatoes
- Pasta
- Soup
- Oatmeal
- Applesauce
- Yogurt
- Pudding
- Ice cream
Post-Op Health & Oral Hygiene
On the day following your surgery, brush your teeth and floss as you normally would. Just be especially careful to avoid the dental implant site. To clean this area, gently rinse your mouth with salt water after meals. When you choose a mouthwash, pick one that doesn’t contain alcohol, as alcohol can irritate the surgical site, causing discomfort.
What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached
Once your replacement teeth have been secured to the dental implant, the hard part is complete! You may experience some minor sensitivity as you adjust to your replacement teeth, but this should be easy to manage at home. At this point, you shouldn’t run into any swelling, bleeding, or extensive recovery. If you have concerns or questions about post-op care, let us know so we can assist you!
Dental Implant FAQs
How Successful Are Dental Implants?
One of the many perks of choosing dental implants is their high success rate (over 95%). Maintaining them is easy too since you basically take care of them the same way you do your natural teeth, like brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash consistently. It’s also important that you come to our Woodside dental office every six months so we can routinely look for warning signs of failure, and, if necessary, intervene with the restorative care needed ASAP.
Am I Too Old to Get Dental Implants?
If you’re in your 60s, 70s, or 80s, you might be wondering if the ship has sailed on having a complete, strong, and healthy smile. That’s not the case! After all, candidacy for dental implants isn’t determined by age. Instead, factors like the density of your jawbone, the health of your gums, and your commitment to breaking unhealthy habits, like smoking, need to be considered. Ultimately, if you are struggling with tooth loss, and you’re interested in getting dental implants, you shouldn’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us so we can review your tooth-replacement options more in-depth.
Can I Get Dental Implants If I Smoke?
Smoking negatively impacts the dental implant treatment process in more ways than one, which is why patients who use tobacco products typically aren’t candidates. Of course, there are a few exceptions. At the very minimum, patients need to quit for two weeks prior to the procedure and for three months afterward to reduce the risk of dry sockets, delayed healing, and implant failure.
Do Dental Implants Feel Natural?
They do! This is largely due to the fact that they are anchored to your jawbone, which ensures that they don’t move out of place as you go about your day. The restoration attached on top is also custom-made just for you, preventing it from feeling unnatural in any way.
Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Eat with Dental Implants?
Actually, yes! We recommend avoiding (or, at the very least, exercising caution with) taffy, peanut brittle, hard pretzels, caramel-filled candies, and other foods that have the potential to damage your restoration or pull it out of place. Instead, focus on filling your plate with foods that help keep your smile healthy, like cooked carrots, plain yogurt, and scrambled eggs.
What Should I Do If I Can’t Afford Dental Implants?
If you are concerned that the cost of dental implants will be too high, then don’t hesitate to ask us about the financial solutions we welcome! In addition to working with many of the nation’s leading dental insurance providers, including Aetna and Ameritas, we are happy to accept flexible financing with CareCredit and extend periodic special offers. We’ll also be here to answer any questions you have throughout the process, ensuring that it’s as seamless and stress-free as possible.