Advances in Dental Research and Technology Are Fascinating

You need to get some dental work done, and your dentist is recommending a tooth implant. This type of implant allows you to get a replacement tooth that has the same durability and strength as your traditional tooth, being similar to a regular tooth in the way it's adhered to the jaw bone. Your tooth implant, or a dental implant, as your dentist will refer to it, is actually put into your jaw bone using a special screw to keep the fixture in place, like how your dental roots typically are.

If you need a tooth implant, this isn't always a bad thing. It means you have healthy gum tissue and enough jaw bone material to support a new implant, which is great news for you if you have to get a tooth pulled or need to fill in some gaps in your smile. As you get ready to get your tooth implant put in, here are some things you can do to make the procedure most successful.

Get a cleaning

Prior to getting your dental implant, have your teeth cleaned. This way, if there are any lingering plaque or tartar issues in your mouth that can lead to a potential infection in the implant site, your dentist can find out right away before the work even gets done. If you don't have any issues to worry about, a cleaning is still beneficial as the cleaning is a great way to avoid putting your mouth under more pressure after you get this intensive dental work done.

Buy soft foods

While getting a tooth implant won't impact your oral health in major ways, especially if you are only getting a single tooth put in, you will still want to prepare for the procedure by having soft foods at the ready. You want to invest in mashed potatoes, soft puddings, soups, and gelatin treats to help you heal from your procedure until your jaw feels less tender and your gums have healed. Your dentist will give you the go-ahead for eating more solid foods once you have completed your follow-up checkup with an all-clear report.

Take time off work

While you don't have to take several days off work to get a single tooth implant done, you will still want to get a nice reprieve from the stresses of home and family for a day or so while your mouth heals. Make sure to arrange for some time off before your surgery date.