Broken or missing teeth cause problems that range from making it difficult to eat to impeding your ability to speak properly. In the past, people who wanted dental implants to replace their missing teeth had to go through a process that could last months. Thanks to new technology, patients can now opt to get a full upper or lower arch (or both) of new teeth with same-day dental implants. The procedure is quite simple.
Assessment
If you are interested in same-day dental implants, your periodontist will first need to assess your situation to determine if you are a good candidate. This will include discussing whether your smoke, your oral hygiene habits and your overall health. In addition, he or she will take x-rays of your mouth with the GALILEOS® cone beam digital x-ray machine to make a detailed image of the structure of your jawbone, soft-tissue and sinuses. This will help determine whether your gums are healthy enough for implants and if so, where they will be positioned.
Same-Day Surgery
If your periodontist determines that you are a good candidate for same-day dental implants, you will begin the surgical procedures. First, the periodontist will administer the sedation treatment that was decided upon in the consultation and then will extract any teeth in the arch or arches to prepare them for the full arch dental implant(s). Next, he or she will create your new teeth using an advanced computer and design system that creates the replacement arch(es) while the periodontist is placing the titanium surgical implants to which the arch will be attached.
The Healing Process
After the procedure, you will be expected to bite down on gauze packs for the first hours and should avoid anything strenuous, including rinsing or eating for the first 24 hours. You may have some bleeding and swelling for up to 48 hours and should expect to feel some pain. Dry lips, discoloration, stiff jaw muscles and a sore throat are also common; however, most people begin to feel better within three days.
If you live in Las Vegas, NV or are visiting the area and would like to restore your smile to its former glory, Periodontist Dr. Curry Leavitt would like to help you. To learn more about dental implants, call our office conveniently located between the Summerlin, NV and Spring Valley, NV areas at (702) 834-8900 today.