Dental Implants

Before undergoing dental implant surgery at one of our offices in Nashville, Smyrna, Brentwood or Hendersonville, it’s important to take precautions recommended by our endodontists:

1. The surgery site may swell considerably for 2-3 days after the surgery. Apply ice on the cheek of the surgery site. If the swollen part is very painful, visit a dental clinic for the appropriate treatment.
2. After dental implant surgery, refrain from excessive exercise, overworking, saunas and long showers/baths in hot water until wound is healed.
3. During brushing, avoid contact with the surgery site for 2-3 days (use gargle solution instead).
4. Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking for 2 weeks.
5. Chew food on the opposite side of the surgery site and avoid hot foods.
6. In the event a bone graft of the maxillary sinus is performed, avoid blowing your nose strongly or spitting.
7. In case of severe bleeding, place cold water soaked gauze in the mouth. If the bleeding persists, visit a dental clinic for the appropriate treatment.

A missing tooth can lead to potential problems if not treated with a dental implant:

• Drifting and shifting of the neighboring teeth causing an unbalanced bite.
• Increased biting stress on other teeth.
• Bone recession in the area of the missing tooth.
• The gap between teeth widens, thereby compromising thi esthetic effect.
• Losing your natural smile.

Removable Partial Denture (RPD)

An RPD attaches to your natural teeth with metal clasps or devices called precision attachments. Drawbacks:

• Increasing stress on the teeth around the area of the missing tooth.
• Bone recession in the area of the missing tooth.

Fixed Bridge

A Fixed Bridge is a false tooth fused between two porcelain crowns to fill in the area of the missing tooth. The neighboring teeth are prepared (drilled) to attach a 3-tooth fixed bridge. Drawbacks:

• Root canal treatment might be necessary on the prepared teeth.
• Increasing stress on the healthy teeth holding the bridge.

Dental Implants

A Dental Implant is an artificial tooth root made of titanium and metal. A dentist places it into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. A dental implant is a permanent fixture in your mouth that has excellent long-term success.

A dental implant also provides more advanced options for replacing a missing tooth than a conventional removable partial denture or a fixed bridge.

A dental implant helps to preserve healthy teeth and eliminate the risk of dental decay.

If you’d like to know more about dental implants, contact us or schedule an appointment today!