How To Easily Avoid Dental Implant Postoperative Complications

Dentist Blog

All surgery comes with some risk, but the level of risk usually depends on the complexity and severity of the procedure. When it comes to dental implant surgery, complications aren't common, and with some caution, can be easily avoided. So what do you need to know? 

Immediately After Surgery

Remember that the implantation of the titanium screw in your jaw (the actual implant which will act as a tooth root) is surgery, and so there will be some localized soft tissue trauma. The implant site may still be bleeding, but this will rapidly subside. The swelling created by dental implant surgery is on par with other oral procedures, so you can expect your swelling to peak roughly 48 to 72 hours after your surgery. Manage your discomfort with the pain relief recommended (or prescribed) by your dentist. Remember that light bleeding and swelling isn't a sign of a complication—and is simply your body's natural reaction to your oral surgery.

Soft Tissue Infection

Most complications associated with dental implants only become relevant after the process has finished, with the implant's false tooth now attached. The most common concern is peri-implant mucositis. This is actually similar to gingivitis, in that a bacterial buildup on the tooth begins to cause gum inflammation. The tooth in question is a false tooth, which can't decay, but can still host bacteria. Peri-implant mucositis leads to an infection of your gums around the implant. Your gums will be sore and swollen, and they may bleed.

Bone Infection

Peri-implant mucositis can evolve into another infection called peri-implantitis. This has the potential to be extremely serious because it affects your jawbone as well as your soft tissues. Bone loss can occur as a result of this infection, and this will destabilize your dental implant. The implant will loosen until it becomes unusable and must be removed. It can only be replaced when your infection has subsided, and you may need to have additional bone material surgically grafted onto your jaw to create a stable base for the implant. This is something you probably want to avoid.

Avoiding Infection

Both peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis can successfully be avoided if you maintain a high level of oral hygiene, and manage the bacteria that triggers these infections. Brush your implant's tooth as though it was a natural tooth, and invest in a water flosser, which uses a jet of water to clean between your teeth. This can be preferable to using standard dental floss around dental implants, as the gum tissues may feel more delicate here. 

Be sure to report anything out of the ordinary to your dentist, allowing treatment to happen as soon as possible if required. But with some vigilance, you can easily avoid dental implant complications.

Reach out to a dental clinic to learn more about dental implant surgery.

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4 January 2023

Getting Your Toddler to the Dentist Once and For All

Toddlers should see a dentist for the first time by the age of twelve months or by the time their first tooth comes in. But if you are a parent with toddlers anything like mine, the prospect of going to the dentist (let alone anywhere!) can be pretty intimidating. My kids were a handful growing up. They had tantrums any time we would have to sit in a waiting room, and they refused to get in the dentist's chair during their first few visits. So, I had to employ a professional to help me make the transition to finally getting them in that dental chair without all the screaming and crying. I know I'm not the only parent in this situation, so I decided to share the information I've learned with others who can use a little help. You can find all my advice right here on these pages!