Congrats! You’ve finally decided to replace your missing teeth using dental implants, and you’re excited to finally say goodbye to the gaps in your smile. You feel confident about the doctor and practice you’ve chosen, so it’s just a matter of actually getting your implants. Beforehand, however, you might have quite a few questions about what happens before and after the procedure. Today, we’re going to answer 5 of your most common questions about getting dental implants in Houston.
Q: Does my doctor need to know about my current medications?
A: Yes, indeed he does. If you’re taking medications that may be affecting your circulation or causing your blood to thin, you need to discuss this with your doctor. This could be very important for your oral surgeon when it comes to anesthetizing you and performing your placement procedure. You may need to take medication while you’re healing as well, and this will help them figure out which ones should work best for you.
Q: Will insurance cover all or a portion of my implants?
A: This depends on your particular plan, but many actually do not cover dental implants because they’re classified as a cosmetic procedure. You may be able to get some of your surgical costs covered by your general health insurance, however. The best thing is to review your insurance plans and make sure you know exactly what they say about dental implants.
Q: What will it be like right after my implant surgery?
A: This will depend on which type of implants you get. Generally, there may be some redness and inflammation on your gums after the procedure, but this can usually be managed with over-the-counter medication. If you get All-on-4 implants or Teeth in an Hour, you will walk out of the office with your new teeth. With other procedures, you may have sutures on the surgery site, but these will usually dissolve on their own after a week or so. In any case, it’s best for you to physically rest and switch to a diet of soft foods in the first few days to allow yourself to heal properly.
Q: Will there be any maintenance required for my implants?
A: Yes, even though they can’t decay, you still need to take care of your implants. Fortunately, the routine will blend seamlessly into your normal one, as they only require consistent brushing and flossing. This will help maintain the implant’s color, as well as keep the surrounding gum tissue healthy.
Q: How will they know if I have enough jawbone to support dental implants?
A: In order to figure this out, your doctor will take a series of scans and x-rays to construct a model of your jaw. They will use this to determine if it is healthy enough to support implants. If you don’t have enough healthy bone, your doctor may recommend a bone graft, which he can complete for you before placing your dental implants.
Have More Questions?
These are probably just a few of your questions, but don’t worry, we’ve taken the time to answer many more right here.
If you still have questions about dental implants after reading both FAQS, please don’t hesitate to call us. We’re always available to give you the answers that you need.