Your Prep Guide Before a Dental Implants Procedure

 There are many ways to cover the space of a missing tooth to avoid loosening the teeth’ structure. Out of them all, in New Hampshire, dental implants are becoming the most opted choice for the myriad benefits this procedure offers. A dental implant procedure is performed by inserting artificial tooth roots. These implants bond with your jawbone, allowing the dentist or oral surgeon to place replacement teeth called crowns over it.

Although a lengthy procedure requires 2-3 sittings, dental implants are the most comfortable replacements of a natural tooth with relatively any upkeep. Moreover, adding to their pros, they last a good decade at least.

So, if you’ve fixed the date for your dental implant surgery and want to be well-prepared for it, here are some do’s and don’ts to follow.

In the week before the procedure. When visiting a dentist, the first thing that comes to mind is whether you’ll be allowed to eat solid foods or not? After getting full mouth dental implants in New Hampshire, you won’t be able to. So, meal prep with semi-solid but nutritious foods like soups, porridge, smoothies, etc., for at least a couple of days post-surgery.

The day before the procedure. Get a lot of rest. Avoid heavy exertion with any physical activity. And you should floss and clean your teeth and mouth thoroughly before. Another point, although optional, is to arrange for a ride to the clinic. You won’t be groggy or in severe pain, but it is better not to drive and relax afterward. So, maybe ask a friend or book a cab.

On the day of the procedure. Wear comfortable clothes, for you’ll be spending at least a couple of hours in the chair. Also, ask your dentist if they will put you under general anesthesia with an IV or just local. Have a big breakfast because you’ll have to fast for at least 12 hours post-procedure. However, you can’t have any food at all that day if you’re going to be under general anesthesia. So, clarify this with your surgeon at least a week before.

Lastly, stay calm throughout the procedure. It is a painless surgery but you may need pain medications after it. Dentists at Seacoast Periodontics & Dental Implants ensure that you’re comfortable and relaxed throughout your full mouth dental implants procedure in New Hampshire.

Why Go for a Guided Bone Regeneration Procedure?

 Tooth loss brings with itself a whole set of problems. Gum diseases seem to be the biggest one. Increasing numbers of Americans over the age of 50 are reporting signs of gum diseases daily. The most common symptoms of potential gum infection are:
Pain or discomfort while chewing;
Bleeding gums;
Persistent bad breath
A buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth
Red, tender, or swollen gums.

Thankfully, periodontics has the perfect solution for patients complaining of gum diseases. A Guided Bone Regeneration Procedure is being opted by many patients in Portsmouth. This is a crucial first step to heal misshapen and decaying jaw-bone to provide it with the needful strength before a dental implant can be affixed. A GBR Procedure aims to remove the bacterial infection from the gum tissue to facilitate the regrowth of a healthy jawbone.

When seeking treatment for a gum infection after tooth extraction, it is highly likely for your dentist to recommend a GBR Procedure for the following advantages it offers:
Bone regeneration. With the aim of healing the jawbone for a dental implant, this treatment recuperates the bone by blocking further infections. This is achieved with the help of a membrane lining the bone so it doesn’t cover the gums, which might hinder its regeneration.
Implant ready. Once the bone has regained its natural strength and structure, it acts as a healthy foundation for the implantation procedure to fill the missing tooth gap.
Teeth protection. As the jawbone is a connected whole, once the decay starts at the root, it will eventually affect the healthy teeth and gums. Thus, a guided bone regeneration Procedure helps stop the infection from spreading by restoring the natural strength of the jawbone.
Perfect smile. Any oral infection impacts both the vital functions like chewing food and speaking, but more so our confidence to smile broadly. Gum diseases make the teeth more prone to falling prematurely. A bone regeneration, in such cases, prevents further discomfort and restores the natural teeth and smile.

If you are considering undergoing a guided bone regeneration procedure, consult with the best dentists in Portsmouth, NH, at Seacoast Periodontics & Dental Implants to achieve the perfect oral health.

Is gum grafting needed before dental implant treatment?

Gums protect your teeth and teeth roots from decay and infections. If you lose a tooth or suffer from gum disease, gum recession and bone loss may occur. It affects the aesthetics of your smile as well as exposes tooth roots, and makes them vulnerable to diseases and infections.
A gum grafting procedure is required to stop the progression of gum recession, bone loss and improve the appearance of your smile.

Gum grafting offers many cosmetic benefits such as a balanced and even gum line, reshaped excess gum and bone tissues, and restoring a beautiful smile. In addition, if you have a missing tooth for a long time, you may need gum grafting to support a dental implant. So, if you are considering getting a dental implant treatment in New Hampshire, it is highly recommended to consult with a dental expert to learn your treatment options.

What is a gum grafting procedure?

The gum grafting procedure is specifically developed to repair and restore receding gums by harvesting the gum tissue from another place in the mouth and placing it at the affected location. During this procedure, the surgeon will carefully remove a part of the gum tissue and attach it to the area where tooth roots are exposed. The gum graft may take a few weeks to months to properly integrate with the target area and strengthen the jaw for a dental implant.

Once the base is strong enough to support a dental implant, the surgeon will install the artificial tooth root in your jaw for dental crown installation. However, nowadays, some surgeons conduct gum grafting and dental implants procedure at the same time. It will depend on your tooth condition and the severity of the receding gums problem. If there is not enough bone to support the implant in your mouth, there will be a higher risk of implant failure without gum grafting. Therefore, it is crucial to consult with a dental expert to explore your cosmetic dentistry options in NH.

If you suffer from gum recession, gum problems, or missing teeth, get in touch with our dental experts for professional consultation regarding a dental implant treatment in New Hampshire.

Who is eligible for full-mouth dental implants?

 Dental implants are the most effective way to replace a broken or missing tooth. In fact, even if a person has lost most of their teeth, a full mouth dental implant procedure is often the most preferred option to restore their teeth and smile. So, if you have lost more than half of your teeth due to old age or periodontal disease, you might be eligible for full-mouth dental implants in New Hampshire.

How is a full-mouth dental implant procedure different from single tooth dental implants?

During the single tooth dental implant procedure, the implant is installed to replace one missing/damaged tooth. It provides appropriate support for the adjacent teeth and prevents bone shrinking. On the other hand, replacing each tooth one by one can be a long and expensive procedure. Therefore, special dentures are made for permanent installation in the jawbone during a full mouth dental implant procedure. These are affixed on the gums with posts installed on 4-5 places in the jaw. They act similar to natural teeth, and unlike dentures, they are securely placed, so there is no risk of these slipping out accidentally.

Full mouth dental implants are considered a superior method of full teeth replacement rather than dentures. Although dentures are cheaper and removable, they require more maintenance and cannot prevent jawbone deterioration. Also, there is always a risk of dentures accidentally slipping out, which can be embarrassing for people in social situations. On the other hand, permanent dentures with dental implants keep the teeth in place. It increases the person’s chewing ability and stimulates jawbone growth. It also maintains jawline strength and helps avoid jowls and turkey neck.

Full mouth dental implants require little maintenance and provide a permanent solution for missing teeth. These are custom-made to fit your mouth’s shape perfectly, so they are much more comfortable than dentures.

If you are looking for reliable cosmetic dentistry solutions in NH for missing teeth or want to know whether you would be an eligible candidate for full mouth dental implants in New Hampshire, contact our team for a consultation.

How does the guided bone regeneration treatment work?

 Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is a surgical procedure used to stimulate new bone growth in the gums where the bone has shrunk. Nowadays, this procedure is popularly used for patients with missing teeth who want to get dental implants. The guided bone regeneration procedure is commonly used with the bone grafting procedure to provide stable placement of dental implants. It restores the gum health and jawbone density of patients. It can be performed by a dental expert in the following cases:

It is used to prepare the gums for dental implant placement if jawbone density is not sufficient to support successful implant placement.
After the tooth extraction, the bone starts shrinking immediately if there is no tooth to support it. Thus, if the patient decides to get tooth replacement in the future after healing, the guided bone regeneration procedure may be required to use to prevent the jawbone from shrinking.  
After tooth loss, your jaw shape may deteriorate due to bone loss in the missing tooth area and cause adverse changes to your facial shape. In this case, guided bone regeneration can prevent the deterioration of your jawbone structure.
Guided bone regeneration may also help restore bone defects that are genetic or caused due to an accidental injury.

How does the procedure work?

Before the guided bone regeneration procedure, a comprehensive dental examination by a dental specialist is crucial. During the examination, the doctor may do the following:
Assess the extent of bone loss
Assess the regeneration requirement and determining membrane material needs
Assess biocompatibility, tissue integration, and create a personalized treatment plan for a successful procedure (with an appropriate absorbable or nonabsorbable membrane material) for bone regeneration
Pre-surgery preparations (if needed)

As each patient’s guided bone procedure requirements are usually different, the doctor will use the appropriate techniques as per the patient’s specific needs to surgically attaching the absorbable or nonabsorbable membrane material in the targeted area. The installed material takes a few months to integrate with the existing bone tissue and stimulates new bone growth.

If you are considering getting dental implants but have a missing tooth for a long time, get in touch with our dental specialists for a comprehensive dental examination to determine if you would be an ideal candidate for a guided bone procedure.

Crucial recovery tips after the tooth extraction procedure

The tooth extraction procedure is a common dental procedure. It is used to remove a diseased or damaged tooth from the mouth. A tooth extraction procedure may be required if a tooth has severe decay, infections, damage from injuries, or gum disease. The dentist usually performs a tooth extraction in New Hampshire using a local anesthetic and dental tools for safe extraction. During the procedure, patients don’t feel any pain. However, as the anesthetic wears off, you may start feeling pain in the treated area. It may take a few days to recover after tooth extraction.

Following are a few tips that may help you minimize discomfort, reduce infection risk, and speedy recovery following a tooth extraction process:

It is normal to feel some stinging pain after the tooth extraction process. It is recommended to take prescribed pain medication to manage the pain.
 

You can apply an ice pack or any cold compression on the treated area after the procedure to help keep the swelling down. It is recommended to put ice for 10-15 minutes at a time.
It is recommended to relax and minimize activity for the next 24-48 hours after the procedure.
After the extraction, you may feel a clot form in the treated area. It is recommended to avoid brushing or rinsing for the first 24 hours to avoid dislodging the clot for a speedy recovery.
Smoking may slow the recovery process. Therefore, it is recommended not to smoke until you have recovered well.
After the extraction, eating solid foods will be difficult and painful. Therefore, it is recommended to follow a liquid diet or eat soft foods for the first week. You can start eating solid foods once the treated area has healed.
After the extraction, it is essential to keep your mouth clean to prevent infection. Therefore, It is recommended to brush and floss your teeth gently, but make sure to avoid the extraction area. Harsh brushing may slow down the recovery process.

It is normal to feel some pain, swelling, and residual bleeding after your tooth has been pulled out. But, if you experience severe bleeding or pain for more than twenty-four hours after tooth extraction, it is best to immediately contact your dentist. It usually takes 1 to 2 weeks to recover after the tooth extraction in New Hampshire.

What is periodontal cleaning? Why do you need it?

Oral hygiene is essential to keep your teeth healthy and free from gum problems. However, even when you brush your teeth every day, there are still many crevices between your teeth that are hard to access for your brush. Gum pockets, plaque, tartar, and bacteria may grow in these places over time and start decaying your teeth. Therefore, it is recommended to get regular periodontal cleanings in Portsmouth to prevent such dental problems.

Periodontal cleaning is a dental cleaning procedure where the gum pockets are deep cleaned, plaque and tartar are removed, and root planing technique is used to prevent periodontal and gum diseases. If you have gum pockets, bacteria can grow in these gum pockets and cause Periodontal disease and gingivitis. It can cause gum inflammation, bleeding, pain, and discomfort in the gums that, if neglected, may turn into severe periodontal diseases. Regular periodontal cleanings in Portsmouth, NH, can prevent periodontal and gum problems.

Regular brushing may not be enough to get rid of plaque tartar and gum pockets in your mouth. During the periodontal cleaning procedure, the dental expert uses specialized tools to deep clean all cavities, tartar, and plaque in your mouth and eliminate gum pockets to prevent bacterial growth. Root planing is an integral part of this procedure to smoothen the tooth root and eliminate any remaining bacteria.  

How often should you get periodontal cleaning?

As a preventive measure, it is recommended to get periodontal cleaning every six months. Although if you suffer from periodontitis or notice bad breath, gum pain, bleeding gums, or any such gum problems, you can also get it done every 3-4 months based on your dentists’ recommendation.

If you need professional periodontal cleaning in Portsmouth, NH, please schedule a consultation with our dental experts.