At Progressive Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, San Ramon, CA, we can provide you with information regarding post-op care for dental implants. This is the most durable and natural-looking way to replace your missing teeth, but it requires oral surgery, meaning there is a recovery process that must be taken into consideration. When you visit our San Ramon, CA dental office, we can conduct an examination, take x-rays, and let you know what to expect from the implants procedure. This also includes what to expect during your recovery process.

Prior to getting started, Dr. Kaeley will conduct an examination to determine if you have cavities or infections in any of your other teeth or if you have gum disease. If so, these things will need to be treated prior to placing implants. It is critical that you start the process in good oral health. This initial exam and x-rays will also determine if you have sufficient bone density to support dental implants. If you do not, you may need a bone grafting procedure prior to getting started.

Many options are available, and they are tailored to your specific requirements. If you need a replacement tooth while the implants are healing, temporary removable teeth or a temporary bridge can be made. If all of your teeth are missing, we can usually modify your present complete denture or make you a new temporary denture. Depending on your particular situation, some implants can be placed and “loaded” immediately. This means a temporary or permanent replacement tooth can be placed on, or shortly after, the day the implant is placed.

Although it is natural to be concerned about the pain that may be caused by these procedures, most patients do not experience severe or significant post-operative pain. Pain medication and antibiotics will be prescribed for you to make your recovery as easy as possible. Occasionally, some people develop post-operative infections that require additional antibiotic treatment. Even though great care is taken to place the implant precisely, occasionally adjacent teeth are injured in the placement process.

In addition, there is a chance that the nerve in the lower jaw, which provides sensation to your lower lip and chin, may be affected. If you are missing quite a lot of bone, it might be difficult to place an implant without infringing on the nerve space. Although we take great care to avoid this nerve, occasionally it is irritated during the procedure, resulting in tingling, numbness or a complete lack of sensation in your lip, chin or tongue. Usually these altered sensations will resolve within time, but they can be permanent and/or painful. If you notify us of post-operative numbness as soon as possible, it will allow us to manage your care in the most appropriate way.

Implants usually last a very long time. When patients are missing all of their teeth, long-term studies (more than 30 years) show an 80 to 90 percent survival rate. For patients missing one or several teeth, recent studies show a success rate of greater than 95 percent, which compares favorably with other areas in the body that receive implant replacement (such as hips or knees). However, if one of your dental implants either doesn’t heal properly or loosens after a period of time, you may need to have it removed. After the site heals (or on occasion at the time of removal), another implant usually can be placed. These situations are largely dictated by factors like systemic health (ie. diabetes) and social factors (ie. Smoking).

The replacement teeth are usually attached to the implant when adequate healing has occurred and your jaw bone is firmly fused to the implant. Depending on a variety of factors, it may be possible to begin this phase of your treatment immediately or shortly after implant placement. We will review the most appropriate treatment sequence and timing for your particular situation.

Your restorative treatment begins with specialized impressions that allow your restorative dentist to produce a replica of your mouth and implants. They will also make “bite” records so that they can see the relationship of your upper and lower jaws. With this information, abutments (support posts) that attach your replacement teeth to your implants can be fabricated. Various types of abutments exist, however, we always recommend the use of “custom abutments” which are patient specific.

With the digital advances in today’s dentistry, we are able to take a digital impression of your implant(s), in some cases, and email this information to the lab directly. From the email, the lab can fabricate your new tooth. This digital workflow makes for more accurate fabrication of teeth and a faster lab turnaround in most cases.

The number of appointments and the amount of time required for each appointment is different for each patient. No two cases are exactly the same and regardless of the number of teeth replaced, the work must be completed with great precision and attention to detail. If you are having only a few teeth replaced, as few as three short appointments may be required. Between appointments, we will need time to complete the necessary lab work to make your replacement teeth. It is most beneficial that you keep all of your scheduled appointments.

If your final restoration is a removable denture, you will need to come to as many as five office appointments (although it may be fewer) over the following several months. During these appointments, we will perform a series of impressions, bites and adjustments in order to make your new teeth, as well as the custom support bars, snaps, magnets, or clips that will secure your teeth to the implants. During this period, every effort will be made to ensure you have comfortable, temporary replacement teeth.

In general, once your implants are placed, you can expect your tooth replacement treatment to be completed anywhere from 1 to 12 months and longer if extensive bone grafting is necessary. It also is difficult to give you a specific timeframe for completion of your treatment until after the implants are ready for restoration. Keep in mind, the fees that are given to you at the Progressive Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, San Ramon, CA are for the surgical and, in some cases, temporary phases only. Your restorative dentist will also have fees to restore your implants with natural looking and beautiful teeth.

As with natural teeth, it is important that you clean implant-supported restorations regularly with toothbrushes, floss and any other recommended aids. You should also visit your dentist several times each year for hygiene and maintenance. As with regular dentures and other tooth replacements, your implants and their associated components are subject to wear and tear and eventually will need repair, including clip replacement, relines, screw tightening, and other adjustments.

Your dental surgeon at the Progressive Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, San Ramon, CA will place the implant(s) and performs other necessary surgical procedures and may do a temporary as well – your restorative dentist provides the temporary and permanent replacement teeth. Both doctors are involved in planning your dental treatment. Also, depending upon a variety of factors, different dental specialists may help with your dental care.

Before treatment begins, every effort will be made to give you an accurate estimate of all the expenses involved in placing the implants and making your replacement teeth. In many cases, there is an initial charge for the diagnostic work-up, including study models, x-rays, and the fabrication of a surgical template to ensure the best possible result. In addition, you will be charged for the abutment or support post(s), plus the crown, dentures, or anything else that will be placed over the implants, including temporary restorations. Periodic maintenance such as hygiene visits, tissue conditioners, denture relines and other repairs will also incur additional charges.

We will try to assist you in estimating what your actual payments will be after we evaluate your insurance coverage or other third party payments. Also, you should consider your personal financial investment in each treatment option as some insurance companies provide limited or no coverage.

Each patient is unique, and it is not possible for us to discuss every option and every contingency for treatment outcome. This website section is intended to help you understand the general treatment options available to you. If your specific treatment options are not clear, please contact us. We will be happy to answer any questions you have about your dental care and can confidently address your treatment needs at our comprehensive consultation appointment.

Yes, if you are a diabetic and have been unable to control your blood sugar, it can make it more difficult to recover from the procedure. This makes it important to let us know if you have had a diabetic episode recently, so we can coordinate the timing of your implant surgery for the best possible results.

In our 94583 dental office, we encourage patients to place some soft ice packs in the freezer. Using them, along with taking ibuprofen, can help to reduce swelling. You should also buy soft foods to eat and plan on taking a couple of days off work. Your gums will be swollen and sore for a few days, so while you will be able to work, you will not be feeling 100 percent and may have difficulty communicating like normal. If you need to work, ask if you can have light duty for a few days or if you can work from home.

At Progressive Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, we recommend you eat soft foods that are not too hot or too cold.

For example, you should buy yogurt, soft cheese, ice cream, soup to eat at a warm temperature, and fruit to make smoothies. This way, you can receive the nutrition you need without irritating your gums. You can slowly begin to add normal food back into your diet, but should avoid eating anything hard, sharp, or difficult to chew for several days.

For example, eat a hamburger without the bacon or an omelet instead of waffles. During your recovery, you need to make these simple adjustments that allow you to eat what you need without exposing your gums to anything harmful.

We will provide you with gauze before you leave our San Ramon, CA dental office. It is natural to experience some bleeding. Before you leave, Dr. Kaeley will ensure that any bleeding is at a manageable level, and by using gauze for the remainder of the day, it should stop. You also need to take steps to keep your gums clean, so we may provide you with a medicated rinse. Otherwise, you can rinse your mouth with warm saltwater throughout the day. You should also brush your remaining teeth, but be careful not to irritate your gums while doing so.

You can expect to be sore and have swelling for three to five days. This is why we recommend having the procedure toward the end of the week so you can take a couple of days off work and use the weekend to recover. Generally, if you have the procedure on a Thursday, you should feel normal by Tuesday. If you go back to work sooner, be advised that you may not want to schedule any important meetings or client appointments, but stick with light work and email communication.

Yes, for the first couple of days, your face will be swollen. While no one will be able to tell what type of oral surgery you had, it will be clear that you had a procedure. Do not worry, this is perfectly normal. While it can be inconvenient for a few days, the end result is worth it because you will have a natural-looking and durable replacement tooth. At Progressive Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, we also provide our San Ramon patients with a temporary denture to wear. This will restore the appearance of your smile while you are waiting for the crown to be attached. If you live in the 94583 area and want a discreet solution, wearing a temporary denture is a must.

Once the titanium implant and your jawbone have fused together, your jaw will provide a base of sturdy support for your replacement tooth. Essentially, it will be as strong as a natural tooth would be. Since the invasive portion of the procedure takes place when we surgically implant the post, attaching the crown is not an issue. You may feel some slight sensitivity in your gums, but this will be minor and easy to control with ibuprofen. There will be no swelling or extensive recovery associated with this aspect of the process. This means you will only need to go through the recovery stage once.

To learn more about post-op care for dental implants, call (925) 860-7270 and schedule an appointment with our San Ramon, CA dental office. Dr. Kaeley will be happy to answer any questions you have, so you can be confident in your decision to get started.