Here’s what you need to know about the reality of the dental implant procedure.
Strategies for Helping You Unwind
Fear can get in the way of a lot in life. It can keep you from seeing new things, places, and expanding your horizons. As mentioned above, you could also miss out on your dream smile if you’re fearful enough of pain and oral surgery.
Fortunately, our dentists are familiar with and equipped to treat overly nervous or anxious patients. To make sure you feel confident about moving forward with dental implants, we’ll run every detail about the procedure by you first and answer any questions you may have. We can also discuss dental sedation options, like laughing gas, that will help you relax in the dental chair.
Learn More → Anxious? How Dental Sedation Can Help
Inside our Portage, MI, dental office, we will never pressure you to pursue anything you don’t want to do. Our dentists and staff are here to serve you and help you choose the right restoration needed for your smile.
How You’ll Feel After Dental Implant Placement
It may be surprising to learn that getting a dental implant is not nearly as bad as many people think. In fact, the level of discomfort following surgery can be compared to a simple tooth extraction or a dental filling. Most of the time, over-the-counter pain relievers will help alleviate any soreness.
You should also feel no pain whatsoever during the actual surgery. Our dentists will have administered a local anesthetic to the area so other than some pressure, you should be quite comfortable. If you notice any severe discomfort while the dental implant is being placed, please don’t hesitate to speak up and we’ll make sure the area is properly numb before continuing.
Who Is and Isn’t a Candidate
To be a candidate for dental implants, you need to meet a few qualifications. One of which is you have a tooth (or multiple) missing. You should also be willing to commit to the healing process following placement which can take several months to complete.
Patients interested in dental implants will also need to:
- Have a fully grown jawbone
- Be free of certain health conditions that may impact bone healing
- Quit smoking or already be tobacco-free from the start
- Have enough bone in their jaw to secure the implant
- Qualify for a dental bone graft if there isn’t enough bone originally
Our dentists may recommend other options with regards to replacing teeth if you fall into the following categories:
- Children or teens with growing jaws
- Patients with chronic diseases (i.e., diabetes, leukemia, etc.)
- Regular smokers
Talk to Us About Tooth Replacement
Our dental implant dentists in Portage serving Greater Kalamazoo, MI, want the best for your smile. We also want you to be fully informed about possible procedures so we encourage you to ask questions so you can feel comfortable as you progress towards a final decision. Call Sharp Smile Center today at (269) 344-4004 to request an appointment and let’s talk!
