DENTAL IMPLANTS
WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING YOUR SMILE AS GOOD AS NEW.
Things to Know
You may be a little tentative or hesitant to pursue dental implants, as this is a surgical procedure. Just so you know, dental anxiety is completely normal and natural. If Dr. Whisenant recommends dental implant surgery or you are referred to his practice for this procedure, you can be confident that he and his staff will do everything in their power to lessen your anxiety prior to your appointment. The best way to lessen this anxiety is to simply ask whatever questions are on your mind. The staff at Gatlin Creek Dentistry love their patients and are always happy to help you understand and feel comfortable with any treatment or procedure you may receive.
Once your anxiety has been lessened and you get through your dental implant surgery, what can be expected in your post-operative period? The most common answers to this question are pain and swelling. But, how much and for how long?
What to Expect
Dental implant surgery should result in very little pain and swelling. A common misconception is that your bone will hurt from having your dental implant placed into it. This is untrue. Bone, in and of itself, has no feeling. Only the outer layer covering the bone, or the periosteum, and the gums have the ability to feel any pain. The amount of post-operative pain that will be encountered is dependant on the amount of manipulation that is encountered with the gums and periosteum during surgery. With newer, less invasive surgical procedures, this keeps this to a minimum. Most patients are able to manage this pain with just over the counter medications. This will be discussed in detail with you and Dr. Whisenant at your pre-operative appointment.
If there is pain or swelling that is more than is to be expected, this is not to cause alarm because some people react differently to surgical procedures. Either one of these can be managed very easily by prescription medications that Dr. Whisenant feels is appropriate. In all, one should not feel hesitant to have dental implant surgery due to fear of pain or swelling. Both of these should be minimal and what you do encounter should be able to be managed easily.