Dental Implant Maintenance Tips & Tricks

When it comes to replacing missing or severely damaged teeth, dental implants are the ideal solution for many patients. Implants offer an effective and natural-looking solution for the most serious dental concerns. They also last longer than alternatives like dentures, and they’re easier to maintain!

In most cases, taking care of dental implants is just like taking care of your natural teeth. It’s all about practicing good oral hygiene, eating teeth-safe foods, and living an overall healthy lifestyle. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about maintaining your implants, from what to do right after the procedure, to long-term smile care!

What to expect during a dental implant procedure

The modern dental implant procedure is the most advanced treatment for missing or damaged teeth in dentistry. Contrary to some common myths about dental implants, the procedure is actually quite simple, convenient, and comfortable.

What you can expect from your dental implant procedure will depend on your individual smile needs and goals. During a typical surgery, we’ll provide you with a powerful numbing agent before embedding a small titanium post within the jawbone. We’ll then attach a custom-made crown or bridge to the implant via an abutment.

Our Smart Arches implant specialists offer a full range of dental implant treatments. We can even replace a full set of missing teeth with the All-on-4 implants. Depending on your current dental health, you may also be a candidate for ultra-convenient same-day implants.

What to do during recovery

You may experience some discomfort and swelling for a day or two after your appointment. The majority of patients are completely recovered within 1-2 weeks of a dental implant procedure. If you require bone grafting or have multiple implants placed at the same time, your recovery may take a little longer.

At Smart Arches, we’ll give you aftercare instructions to help ensure your recovery goes as smoothly as possible. Your post-op timeline and instructions depend on your specific situation and the number of implants you have placed. But here are some general guidelines:

Follow all aftercare instructions, which may include applying gauze, avoiding certain foods, and using an oral rinse.
Make sure you prioritize rest for the first day or two.
Take pain medication as instructed.
Use a cold compress to help reduce swelling.
Call our implant specialists right away if you notice bleeding, swelling, or pain after the first week or two.

How to maintain your dental implants long-term

One of the many benefits of choosing dental implants is that they are especially long-lasting. With proper care and monitoring, your dental implant can last your entire life without needing to be replaced.

Fortunately, taking care of your implant is pretty straightforward. Here are some key ways to ensure your dental implant lasts as long as possible:

Practice daily dental hygiene

With Smart Arches, your dental implant will look, feel, and function just like a real tooth. That means that general at-home oral care recommendations are exactly the same for individuals with implants:

Brush at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoride-based toothpaste.
Floss at least once a day to remove leftover food particles from between the teeth.
Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash once a day.

Get regular professional checkups

Professional cleanings and exams are a vital element of a healthy and attractive smile. Be sure to visit your general dentist at least twice a year to maintain your smile and monitor the health of your implant.

Live a healthy lifestyle

Your oral health is deeply connected to the wellbeing of your entire body. That’s why maintaining healthy habits on a daily basis is one of the best things you can do for the longevity of your implant and your whole smile.

Help maintain your dental implant by:

Eating a healthy, balanced diet
Staying active
Getting enough sleep
Limiting stress as much as possible
Avoiding tobacco products of any kind
Limiting your alcohol intake

Let our dental implant specialists restore the health and cosmetic elegance of your smile!

At Smart Arches, we’re passionate about helping patients from all walks of life restore their oral health and improve their overall quality of life. Whether you need a single dental implant and restoration to replace a missing tooth, or you require a total smile reconstruction, our amazing team of specialists is here to help you.