So, you’ve been to your dentist and have just undertaken oral implant surgery. Good for you!
As you are most certainly aware, now that they are fitted, your oral implants will need time to fuse to your bone (assuming you haven’t had subperiosteal). During this time, there are certain things you can do to ensure that this process goes off without a hitch.
But once you get home, you will probably have some burning questions about what these steps are, that you forgot to ask your dentist.
In this article, some of the most commonly searched questions related to the aftercare of dental implants in Melbourne are answered, hopefully providing some clarity!
How soon can I clean the implant site?
If you have had regular endosteal implants, zygomatic or mini-implants fitted, try to avoid directly brushing the implant site for at least a week.
As your dentist will have used stitches to seal the incisions, it is important that you do not brush or aggravate the area. In order to keep the area clean, try swirling salt water and inspect the area for debris using a mirror. If you have a hard bristled brush, it may be worth changing it to a soft-bristled one for the next few weeks.
How will I know if there’s an issue?
Dental implants from Melbourne will have been fitted under the highest level of sanitary conditions, but that doesn’t mean things can’t go wrong once you leave the surgery.
If you notice a foul odour or taste, spot discolouration around the implant site or have a lingering discomfort, contact your dental team as soon as possible.
Similarly, if your dental implants near Melbourne appear to be loose, it is worth contacting the dental team which fitted them for follow up tests.
The implant site isn’t healing- what do I do?
The implant site can take several weeks to heal, depending on the depth of the implant; zygomatic implant sites take longer to settle than endosteal ones.
If the incision site is still open and sore to touch after 6 days, then you should book an appointment with your dental team. Do not apply pressure to the site with a toothbrush or cotton wool, but continue to clean the area with a lukewarm salt water rinse.
How soon can I have the prosthetic tooth attached?
When you have had regular endosteal implants fitted, you may have to wait for up to 6 months for the titanium implant to fuse with the bone. The same rule generally applies to zygomatic. If you have had mini or micro implants fitted, this time is shorter, and you may be able to have the prosthetics fitted within a week!
Is the amount of swelling I’m having normal?
Some minor swelling is to be expected with every kind of oral implant fitting, but if the inflammation seems to be getting worse, is darkening in colour, changing colour or is painful to the touch, contact your dentist for advice promptly.
DISCLAIMER
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
