When you’re set to get dental implants, you can’t just rush into treatment. You’ll need to ready yourself for the placement work first, or else your care might not turn out well. That being said, how exactly do you prepare for dental implant surgery? Your Louisville dentist is here to address this question, so there’s no need to ponder it aimlessly. Just keep reading to learn the steps you should take before the restoration process starts.
Grasp How the Surgery Works
Your first move should be to grasp how the surgery will work. In other words, get a sense of what to expect from implant placement.
A good example is to bring up questions at your consultation visit. For instance, you could ask your dentist about the treatment timeline, the tools they’ll use, and so on. Knowing those details beforehand will help you adjust for the surgery, as well as ease any dental anxiety. Settling the facts will also confirm that you and your dentist are on the same page.
Follow Pre-Op Instructions
After getting a rundown on implant surgery, follow your dentist’s pre-op instructions. Adhering to these guidelines will ensure your surgery proceeds smoothly.
The instructions themselves should be pretty simple. If your surgery will include sedatives, the dentist may tell you to fast the night before and avoid breakfast. They could also instruct you to take specific antibiotics before the placement. Depending on when your treatment starts, the dentist may even suggest you rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash.
Set Aside Enough Time
You’ll need adequate time to rest following surgery. Given that fact, please clear your schedule on the day of treatment.
The fact is that your body won’t be at 100% right after surgery. Once the anesthesia (or sedatives) wears off, you’ll likely feel some post-treatment soreness and swelling. Recovering from these symptoms requires that you take time away from work and other obligations. To compensate, you may want friends or family to support you with childcare, meals, etc.
Enlist a Good Driver
Last but not least, arrange for a driver to take you home after surgery. You won’t be well enough to transport yourself post-treatment.
Remember, implant surgery involves the use of anesthesia or sedatives. These medicines leave you sleepy, groggy, and disoriented for hours after treatment. Such effects won’t let you drive a car or any other heavy machinery, so you’ll need to rely on a friend or family member to pick you up.
These rules should greatly help you prepare for dental implant surgery. So, implement them while you still have time!
About the Practice
Bell Dental is based in Louisville, KY. Led by Drs. Bell, Kaebnick, and Webber, our practice has been providing comprehensive dentistry for over twenty years. Whether a patient needs preventive, cosmetic, or even restorative dental care, we’re always eager and ready to help. Our team can even place dental implants in-house to restore smiles with missing teeth! For more details or to book a visit, please reach out to us on our website or by phone at (502)-749-2355.