Dental Implant Care
Scarsdale and Mt. Kisco, NY
Implant Care provided by Dr. Gary Orentlicher and Dr. Andrew Horowitz in Scarsdale & Mt. Kisco, NY at New York Oral, Maxillofacial, and Implant Surgery
 The surgical placement of a dental implant includes multiple steps. There is often preparatory work that needs to be completed, followed by post-op care to achieve successful treatment.
At New York Oral, Maxillofacial, and Implant Surgery, we will review the information with you about caring for your dental implant throughout the entire treatment process.
Proper care will help reduce the likelihood of developing infection, and increase the success of osseointegration between the bone and implant device. We want to provide you with the information and steps to increase the longevity of this restoration.
A dental implant is a great option when restoring missing teeth. The implant is inserted into the jawbone to recreate the root of a missing tooth. Dr. Gary Orentlicher and Dr. Andrew Horowitz provide dental implant placements at our Scarsdale and Mt. Kisco, NY offices.
With a new root established, a dental implant will serve as a firm anchor in your mouth. The dental implant and its new root provide the stability required to permanently secure a dental prosthodontic (including a dental crown, bridge or denture) to the new structure.
Increasing Successful Healing
The success of dental implants relies on proper healing. For dental implants, this includes a process known as osseointegration, or the fusion of bone to a device. The implant is designed with a threaded end that is sunk into the bone. As the bone heals, it will grow up and around these threads fusing the two firmly together.
There are multiple factors that can impact your body’s ability to fully heal including| • |
medications you are taking |
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medical disorders |
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smoking tobacco or marijuana |
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alcohol consumption |
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how you care for your implants |
Following the surgical placement of one or multiple dental implants at our oral surgery, we will need you to consider the following care instructions, including:
Use Caution Around the Surgical Site
The surgical insertion of your dental implant is not the end of treatment. Your bone will need to heal and grow around the implanted post, so you will need to use caution.
Immediately following treatment, your surgical site is subject to infection. The tissue had been opened and is now sutured closed; cut or broken soft tissue makes it easier for infection to set in.
You will need to be careful in preventing bacteria from making contact.
In addition, the implanted post is somewhat secure, but is not yet firm. There is a bone healing process that needs to occur before the implant is firmly stabilized in your bone. This means that the post can be disturbed or loosened if bumped.
You will want to show caution with the foods you eat while the bone is healing.
Use Caution With Your Food Choices
You will want to abstain from foods that could dislodge your dental implant while the bone is healing. This includes foods that are crunchy or sticky such as carrots, chips, caramel and more.
Disrupting the healing process could prevent proper healing causing treatment to fail. It is best to stick with soft foods through the duration of the healing process, which could be several months.
Abstain from the Use of Products that Can Slow Healing
There are multiple items that can be ingested or inhaled that can slow or limit healing. This includes various medications - both prescribed or not prescribed. It is best to inform of any medications you are taking, even if it seems irrelevant to your oral health, it may prevent or slow your ability to heal.
The consumption of alcoholic drinks, as well as smoking tobacco or marijuana will also slow down the healing process. These products cause numbing in the tissue and dries out the saliva in your mouth.
We are happy to offer assistance in curbing your need to smoke or speak with your physician prior to treatment.
Tell Us of Any Medical Needs
There are multiple medical disorders, and the medications associated with them, that can slow or limit appropriate healing. This can include diabetes that is not under control, patients undergoing cancer treatment, and more.
Medical problems do not eliminate candidacy for dental implants. Certain medical needs may change our approach, or we may want to be in touch with your personal physician before treatment can be completed.
Proper Oral Hygiene
Following your oral surgery, we will want you to be diligent in your oral hygiene routine. You will want to use a soft brush and carefully brush and floss around the surgical site to remove harmful bacteria.
We are happy to discuss oral hygiene products, including which toothpastes to consider, and brushing techniques.
Keeping the surgical site healthy through brushing and flossing correctly can greatly assist in the healing process.
Immediate Care following Surgical Insertion
Following your dental implant surgery, you will want to stick closely to these guidelines to help in the healing process.
The soft tissue will be tender, but should heal within a few days.
In the first few days after surgery, you will want to be cautious of excessive bleeding and signs of infection. The surgical site will be sutured closed. You will want those sutures to remain in place as they help in healing. Do not disrupt them with your tongue, fingers, or food choices.
Some tips that can help after your procedure include:
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Control any bleeding. We suggest biting down on the sponges that were placed in your mouth post surgery.
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Avoid exercise or moving excessively for the first 8-12 hours.
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We suggest keeping your head elevated.
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Consume only soft foods or beverages without straws, for the first 1-2 days.
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Take any prescribed medications as directed. |
Schedule with Our Scarsdale and Mt. Kisco, NY Oral Surgeons Today
At New York Oral, Maxillofacial, and Implant Surgery, our surgical staff is here to help our patients complete successful oral restoration treatments. We can provide you with the tips and information to increase long term restoration and help elevate success in your treatment.
Caring for your dental implants is quite easy, the real work is the healing process your bone is completing. We encourage you to speak with our team today about dental implants and how they can help you. For more information, contact one our office locations
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