Dental Implants Las Vegas | Las Vegas Smile Center

Are they for me?

Sometimes you only need one tooth replaced, other times a portion of teeth need replacement to better talk, chew, and smile. There is a variety of reasons for tooth loss: maybe you are missing teeth due to an accident, or maybe it’s the result of poor oral hygiene and/or lifestyle. Sometimes it’s simply old age and genetics, and while we can’t grow new teeth when the old ones wear out, we now have options other than removable Dentures.

Before your procedure

It is important to realize that this isn’t as simple as filling in a cavity, and it could take months from start to finish. Much of the waiting period is simply your mouth and bones healing, which is why this is done in a few steps.

The first thing we determine is whether or not your mouth is healthy enough for Dental Implants, mainly your jawbone. If the bone in your jaw is weakened and can’t hold a post, a bone graft will be used to strengthen it up. It takes a few months for the bone to fully heal, but by then you’ll be ready for the metal post to be installed. Think of it like a screw that will hold your new tooth in place.

Your procedure

Using anesthetics to ensure no pain, your Dentist will make a small incision in your jawbone and under the gum line for the post to be placed. As this incision heals, the post will strongly root itself into the jawbone. The fancy word for this is “osseointegration”, but we won’t ask you to spell it any time soon!

During this transitory process, some patients prefer to wear Dentures, while others are fine leaving the space empty. Once healed, the post is ready for its new tooth, which is a big advantage over traditional bridgework: you no longer need an adjacent tooth to secure the Bridge, allowing you to “piecemeal” your problem areas.

After your procedure

While patients feel no pain during the procedure, there is mild to moderate pain to be expected as you recover. You will want to give yourself 24-48 hours initially, and your Dentist will recommend ways to manage any discomfort that continues beyond that, depending on your procedure.

You will want to stick with soft foods for a good 7-30 days, and avoid hot beverages or using drinking straws until you are healed. Patients who smoke or drink alcohol should wait at least a week after the surgery to avoid infections. Continued good oral hygiene will keep those gums and new teeth healthy and smile-ready!

Given the choice of Dental Implants in Las Vegas and the expertise needed for great results, there’s no mystery why so many have chosen Las Vegas Smile Center as their go-to Dentist for Dental Implants.