Four Tips For Taking Care Of Your Implant Before Your Tooth Is Placed

Getting a dental implant is often a multi-session process. While some types of implants can be placed and hold a permanent tooth the same day, most implants require minor bone grafting, which must heal before the final tooth is placed. If the bone graft is not given time to heal before the force of chewing is put on it, you could end up losing the implant. Because of this, it's important to take care of your implant between when it is placed and when it is healed. 

Discuss a Schedule With Your Dentist

Before your initial implant session, you should discuss a schedule with your dentist. Whether you need a bone graft and what type you need can drastically change your healing time. Some implants may need as much as four to six months to heal before setting a final tooth on the implant. Others may only need a month or two. You should talk about when you will go in for checkups, when the final tooth will be placed, and for how long you should follow special care regimes. 

Keep the Area Clean

To ensure proper healing, you should keep the gums and teeth around the implant clean. If you don't have a temporary tooth in place, this can be as simple as lightly brushing the area with a soft bristle brush and using mouthwash regularly. If you have a temporary tooth in place, you may need to use interdental brushes to keep the area between your tooth and gums free of debris. The first few days, until your stitches are removed, you should be extra careful cleaning that area. 

Avoid Putting Weight on the Implant

Whether you have a temporary tooth or not, you should avoid putting pressure on the tooth. If it is a front tooth, make sure to cut your food instead of biting into it. If it is a rear tooth, you should chew on the opposite side. 

Go for Regular Checkups 

During the healing period, your dentist may want to schedule a followup appointment. Usually, they will perform X-rays to make sure the implant is healing properly as well as perform a physical examination of the site. These are important checkups because your dentist can catch problems early and potentially fix them before they get out of hand. 

The first few months are a critical time for your implant. Make sure to take care of it to ensure the best chance of a healthy implant.