Dental Implant Post-Care FAQs

If you’re recovering from dental implant surgery, you may have a lot of questions. This guide will answer those questions and aide you through the healing process.

Q: How long until I’m fully recovered?

A: It takes 3-6 months for the bone and implant to integrate. Full osseointegration (bone attachment) is necessary for the healing process to be complete. You can expect to return to your regular activity and eating habits as soon as the hard tissue protecting the implant stabilizes. There are many factors that influence how quickly soft tissue heals, with age being the primary factor. You can expect a longer healing process if you are of advanced age or have a persistent smoking habit. Make sure you eat a nutritious diet and practice hygiene as recommended by your dentist.

Q: What is the best way to prevent infection?

A: Keep the treatment site clean and undisturbed to prevent infection. Rinse with antibacterial mouthwash after eating. Take any prescribed antibiotics as directed. Avoid chewing hard foods, as this will damage sensitive tissue and disrupt the healing process. Infection at the implant site (peri-implantitis) can cause the implant to fail. In that case, replacement may be necessary. You can avoid peri-implantitis by keeping your mouth clean and visiting the dentist regularly.

Q: Is bleeding normal?

A: To some degree, yes. You may notice pink or red tinted saliva, and that is entirely normal for the first 24 hours after surgery. Even excessive bleeding may occur. If this happens, gently bite on a gauze pad for 30 minutes to plug the wound. Avoid taking aspirin as the medication thins the blood and makes bleeding more prominent. Call your dentist if excessive bleeding persists after the first day of recovery.

Q: What can I eat while I’m still recovering?

A: Attempt a liquid and soft food diet. Protein smoothies and lukewarm soups are the best things to eat until the swelling and pain subside. Chewing with your new implant can damage the new bone growth and lengthen the healing process. Listen to your body, especially if you feel discomfort of any kind.

If it’s not too painful to chew, try eating steamed vegetables. They are a good source of nutrients. Fibrous vegetables, like mashed potatoes, are filling enough to help you feel full.

Q: Can I exercise?

A: No. Avoid rigorous exercise until the healing process is complete. Rapid blood flow can cause throbbing or excessive bleeding. Additionally, you may not be able to consume as many calories as you’re accustomed to. You may feel weaker than usual. Above all, you require rest.

Congratulations on your new dental implants! They are the best option to replace teeth permanently. Take care of them during the healing process, and you can expect upwards of 25 years of stable teeth.

Didn’t find your question? Schedule a consultation for a personalized dental restoration strategy. Our team at Lublin Dental Center looks forward to hearing from you.

Dental Care for a Chipped or Broken Tooth

Even though the outer layer of your tooth, the enamel, is the hardest mineralized tissue in your body, it is not foolproof. Teeth that are weakened by decay are susceptible to breaking when biting on something hard like ice and any tooth can be damaged by oral trauma. It’s always best to call your dentist as soon as they are available, but there are some things you can do yourself until your appointment arrives.

• If your tooth is aching, take an over the counter pain reliever and rinse your mouth with salt water.
• If there is a sharp edge that bothers your tongue or cheek, you can purchase dental wax at a local pharmacy or use sugar free gum to cover the jagged edge.
• Eat soft foods and try to avoid biting and chewing on that side of the mouth.

Treatment for a broken or chipped tooth

Your dentist will evaluate the damage to the tooth with an x-ray or digital image of the tooth to determine what procedure would work best to restore its integrity. Depending on the severity of the damage, there are several procedures that will bring health and beauty back to your smile.

Tooth-colored fillings - If you have lost off a small piece of tooth enamel, your dentist will fill the void with a composite resin. This material will bond to your tooth for a seamless smile.

Inlay/Onlay - Will restore a larger area that covers more than one surface of your tooth.

Crown (cap) - If you lost a large piece of tooth, or there is decay or other fillings present, your dentist will file away a portion of the weakened tooth and place a permanent crown on top to protect the remaining tooth, restoring your bite and the aesthetic look of your smile.

Root Canal - If the entire top part of your tooth has been compromised, your dentist will perform a root canal treatment then place a pin or a post in the canal of the tooth and attach a crown to it.

When restoring teeth with a crown or root canal treatment, you can expect to have at least two dental appointments. The first involves pre-treatment with a temporary tooth in place. The second visit is a simpler process of fitting the final restoration permanently in place. Some dentists have the equipment to build a crown in the office in an hour during your initial visit.

Lublin Dental Center care for damaged teeth

When left alone, a damaged tooth will progressively get worse. Please contact our Brooklyn office to schedule an appointment right away. Our friendly staff at Lublin Dental Center will listen to your concerns and fit you in as soon as possible.  

Let’s Talk About Osseointegration

Osseointegration is what we’re talking about, but it can do more than earn you a pretty big score in Scrabble.  It can work wonders to bring your smile back!

This is a pretty simple word when it is broken down into its parts - Osseo is direct from the Greek word Osteon, meaning bone, and integration which we know means to combine with the existing structure.  

Accurately describing the process, Osseointegration is just that.  Swedish orthopedic surgeon Per-Ingvar Brånemark pioneered the field during the 1960’s when he discovered that a metal screw (also known as the implant) inserted into the jawbone was accepted by the skeletal structure, allowing a false tooth to be permanently implanted. This discovery revolutionized oral health care as people could now turn to alternate corrections for missing teeth.

Natural teeth are made of two parts - the crown and the root.  The crown refers to the part of the tooth above the gum line while root refers to the part below the gum holding it in place much like the roots of a tree.  Osseointegration is referring to the metal which is integrated into the jaw to serve as an artificial root.

Brånemark found that not just any metal would be accepted into the jaw. The body would reject certain metals and treat them as a foreign invader.  Titanium is generally used for the anchor due to its strength and bio-compatibility (a fancy term meaning your body will not find any reason to reject this new addition).

The ‘integration’ part of the word comes from the fact that the bone grows around the implant to attach itself, making it permanent!  That’s right; the body will see this metal anchor as a part of its jawbone and actually strengthens the placement of the dental implant!

The term implant ‘dental implant’ can be broken down as well.  It typically consists of three parts:

1. The implant itself, which is a titanium screw that is placed directly into the bone to anchor the tooth securely.
2. The abutment sets directly on the implant to provide the crown further support, holding the crown in place.
3. The crown that has the look, feel and function of the tooth it replaces while it is firmly mounted in place.

Osseointegration has led the way for several fields in reconstructive medicine, including facial reconstruction and internal hearing aids. The method is even used for joint and artificial limb replacement!If you would like to know more about dental implants or to find out if they will improve your oral health, please contact Lublin Dental Center and schedule a consultation with your Brooklyn dentist. 

Invisalign vs. Metal Braces

When a patient wants straighter teeth, the two most common available treatments are Invisalign and metal braces. Each of these options offer different advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to discuss your individual case with your dentist.

The biggest difference between Invisalign and traditional metal braces is that braces are fixed in place and cannot be removed for the duration of treatment. The orthodontist will remove them once teeth have been moved into their correct positions. On the other hand, Invisalign is removable, making certain daily activities, such as eating and brushing your teeth, easier.

Traditional braces use metal wires attached to individual brackets in order to move teeth. The orthodontist positions and tightens the wires in order to control the straightening process. On the other hand, Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners that are fitted over the teeth. The aligners are part of a series that are switched out every few weeks, with each aligner moving teeth a little more.

The fact that Invisalign aligners are removable is a significant convenience factor, but it carries with it a particular risk. If patients remove the aligner too often throughout the day, they can hinder the straightening process. Consequently, Invisalign requires a greater amount of daily commitment from the patient.

However, the biggest draw for most adults is that Invisalign aligners are made of clear plastic. This makes them far less noticeable than braces, which means you can get treated discreetly. In fact, unless people are looking closely, they might not even notice you’re using them. On the other hand, traditional braces are hard to hide, so people are going to know you have them.

Some people find braces to be bulky and uncomfortable when compared to Invisalign, but metal braces can be more effective at realigning teeth with severe dental problems. Braces handle vertical movement and tooth rotation better, so it might be the best choice for patients with significant bite misalignment.

Contact Lublin Dental Center for More Information!

Invisalign and metal braces offer distinct pros and cons, but both of them have proven to be effective at giving patients straighter and more attractive teeth. Contact our Brooklyn dental office so we can answer your questions and make an appointment.

Dental Implants and Bone Grafting: What You Need to Know

Dental implants have significantly impacted the field of restorative dentistry and are currently the closest option to having natural teeth. Although dental implants produce natural-looking results, obtaining them may become an obstacle. Particularly for those who have worn removable dentures for some time, patients may need pre-operative treatments before receiving dental implants.

Bone grafting is a way for patients with insignificant jaw bone density to strengthen the bone and increase the chance of success for dental implant placement.

Why Would You Need a Bone Graft?

Our jawbones are only able to retain their strength due to the amount of teeth present in our mouths. So when teeth go missing, it’s only natural that our jaw bone loses some density. This is especially true for traditional denture wearers, who may not have had natural teeth in their jaws for years. However, many denture wearers – as well as others who are missing one or more teeth – are interested in receiving a fixed and durable solution for their smiles and opt for dental implants.

Bone Grafting and Dental Implants

In order to place dental implants in the jaw, your oral surgeon will need at least 6mm of bone density to work with. If you have less than 6mm worth of bone density, your dentist may recommend a bone or tissue graft. There are a variety of bone grafting materials available, but overall the purpose of a bone graft is to regenerate the bone you have lost over time so that you are able to withstand dental implant placement. Depending on the procedure used, a bone graft can take anywhere from four to twelve months to heal. Afterward, you will be able to proceed with regaining a healthy and beautiful smile.

Contact the Brooklyn Dentists at Lublin Dental Center for More Information

If you are interested in receiving dental implants, contact Lublin Dental Center and find out whether you are qualified for implant placement. To determine whether you are a candidate, your dentist will assess your medical history and take digital x-rays or perform a CT scan in order to determine the density of your jaw bone.

For more information about dental implant placement, contact Drs. Adam and Theodore Lublin today and schedule an appointment.

6 Ways to Whiten Your Teeth on Your Own

Now more than ever, a white smile has become an important asset. White teeth are associated with good oral health and have been known to make better first impressions socially and professionally. If you are considering whitening your teeth, there are a few tricks you can try before scheduling an appointment with your local dentist.

Brush and floss: Neglecting to keep up with an oral hygiene routine will lead to a plaque-ridden and dull smile. Make sure to brush twice a day and floss at least once a day to keep your teeth and gums healthy and bright.

Keep your gums healthy: Although brushing your teeth will eliminate plaque from the tooth’s surface, flossing targets the spaces in between teeth and keeps your gums healthy. Pink gums make your smile appear whiter, so make sure you keep them healthy by flossing.

Stay away from staining liquids: If you are serious about whitening your smile, you should refrain from drinking beverages such as coffee, black tea, and red wine. These drinks will stain your tooth enamel, so keep your distance or drink them through a straw.

Munch on fruits and vegetables: Eating fruits and vegetables helps clean the surface of your teeth and also produces saliva, which works to eliminate additional bacteria.

Try over-the-counter whitening kits: Contrary to popular belief, over-the-counter-whitening methods do work. Although they usually only target the front-facing teeth, they can work for a quick whitening fix.

Schedule an appointment at Lublin Dental Center: The best and most efficient way to whiten your teeth is to opt for a chair-side whitening procedure with your local dentist. A professional whitening procedure targets all of the teeth and whitens better than any other method available.

At Lublin Dental Center, we provide a variety of teeth whitening methods based on your desired outcome. Professional whitening procedures such as GLO Science Teeth Whitening, Zoom! Teeth Whitening, and BriteSmile in-office whitening are proven to create bright and beautiful smiles, and are available in our office.

For more information, contact our Brooklyn, NY dental office today!

5 Thing You Didn’t Know about Cosmetic Dentistry

Many people think that receiving a cosmetic procedure is purely narcissistic, but what people don’t know is that cosmetic dentistry has many restorative oral health benefits as well. If you are considering a cosmetic procedure, you should know that you’re not only improving your appearance, but your health and quality of life as well.

Here are some facts about cosmetic dentistry you may not have heard about.

You will look better: This may seem obvious, but an improved appearance can make you feel more confident. With a cosmetic dentistry procedure, you’ll no longer have to shy away from smiling or showing off your teeth!

Your oral health will improve: Along with enhancing your appearance, certain cosmetic procedures can improve your oral health as well. Treatments such as composite fillings and dental implants will restore missing or damaged teeth while doing so with your appearance in mind.

Any dental pain is eliminated: With crooked teeth or a misaligned bite, a lot of jaw, head, and neck pain can result. Certain cosmetic procedures can help alleviate TMJ issues and leave you pain-free!

You will get a self-confidence boost: When you look better, you feel better. Cosmetic dentistry can improve the aesthetic of your smile so that you can show it off for years to come. You’ll be smiling constantly with the confidence boost you get from cosmetic dentistry

You will make a better first impression: White and straight teeth are associated with good oral hygiene and overall better oral health. With a cosmetic procedure, you can create better professional and social interactions with a healthy, beautiful smile.

Call Us Today!

Located in Brooklyn, NY, Lublin Dental Center offers a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures for patients looking to improve their smile’s appearance and restore their oral health. For more information about the services we provide, or to schedule a consultation, contact us today!