Simple Ways To Prepare For Your Dental Implant Surgery
Dental implants not only enhance your facial structure and smile, but they can also help correct an abnormal bite. Also known as a malocclusion, an abnormal bite can make chewing problematic, and it may even raise your risk for jaw pain, neck pain, and headaches. Because getting dental implants involves oral surgery, it is essential to take steps to help ensure that your procedure and the recovery period is as uneventful as possible. Here are some simple ways to prepare for your implant surgery that may help speed the healing process.
Seek Periodontal Disease Treatment
While mild periodontal disease may only cause red, inflamed, or bleeding gums, severe periodontal disease can cause the destruction of the underlying bones that support your titanium implant rods or your natural teeth. Because of this, periodontal disease needs to be treated before you get your dental implants.
If periodontal disease is left untreated, the titanium rods may become loose and unstable, causing further damage to the bones. Although your general dentist can treat mild forms of periodontal disease, he or she may refer you to a periodontist if you have severe disease. Once your gums and underlying bones are healthy, your dentist will feel confident to proceed with your dental implant procedure.
Consider Your Dietary Supplements
While certain dietary supplements such as vitamin C can help enhance the healing process after your implant procedure, other dietary supplements may raise the risk for complications both during and after your procedure. For example, fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids can affect your blood platelets, rendering them less sticky. This is known as decreased platelet aggregation, and when this happens, you may be at risk for bleeding during your implant surgery and during your recovery period.
Other dietary supplements that can raise your risk for bleeding include vitamin E and magnesium. In addition to raising your bleeding risk, taking large doses of magnesium may cause your blood pressure to drop during your implant procedure and immediately following your procedure. Before you stop taking your dietary supplements, talk to your physician. If he or she does not want you to discontinue your supplements, you may be advised to simply take a lower dose.
To learn more about how you can prepare for your dental implant surgery, talk to your dentist. By taking the above steps and following your dentist's advice, you will be less likely to experience a postoperative infection or abnormal bleeding.
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