Dental Implants – Las Vegas, NV

Day-to-Day Benefits

• Enjoy all your favorite foods: While traditional restorations like dentures and bridges restore around 25-30% of your original biting power, dental implants can renew 80% or more! You’ll be able to munch on all kinds of foods comfortably and without any restrictions, such as apples, steaks, nuts, and any of your favorite treats.
• Straightforward maintenance: Since dental implants will be embedded in your jawbone and feel like natural teeth, you won’t have to practice any special techniques to clean them. Patients will simply need to brush, floss, rinse with mouthwash frequently, and visit their dentist for checkups and cleanings every six months to make the most of them.
• Improved confidence: With a firm foundation for your new pearly whites, you won’t have to worry about them shifting or popping out of place. This means you can feel free to show off your smile confidently and enjoy meals comfortably, improving your overall quality of life.

Health Benefits

• Jawbone preservation: Whenever you lose a tooth or teeth, your jawbone will lack the stimulation necessary to maintain its structure. Without blood circulating to the bone tissue, it’ll begin to deteriorate, altering your facial shape. Since dental implants serve as your new permanent roots, they’ll provide the stimulation needed to promote stronger bone tissue. This means you can preserve your jawbone and keep a more youthful appearance in the long run.
• Maintain better oral health: Partial or full dentures will mostly rely on natural suction to the gums for support. Without proper care, you may have a higher chance of gum irritation, sores, or infection. Dental bridges require removing some of the enamel from healthy adjacent teeth to make room for the crowns. Over time, these pearly whites can end up at risk of decay, damage, or even extraction. Dental implants are supported by your jawbone, providing a more stable and healthier solution for both your remaining teeth and gums.

Long-Term Benefits

• An incredible success rate: Dental implants typically have a high success rate of 95%, even 10 years after being placed.
• Long-lasting results: Unlike dentures and bridges which usually last around 10 years with proper care, dental implants can go as far as several decades to a lifetime!
• A money-saving solution: On top of having increased longevity, you also won’t have to replace your restorations as frequently as other tooth-replacement options like dentures and bridges. This can essentially save you much more money down the road.

What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

After your surgery, it’s important to preserve the blood clot that will form. This will help your gums heal around the implant posts, so it’s crucial you don’t disturb the surgical sites and disrupt this process. Here are a few things to avoid after your procedure:

• Drinking from a straw
• Brushing directly on or around your implants
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Placing your tongue or finger on or near the implant site
• Eating hard or sticky foods

Common Side-Effects as You Heal from Dental Implant Placement

It’s important to know what symptoms to expect as you’re healing from your surgery so you don’t feel panicked or anxious when they occur. If you notice that your pain, discomfort, or bleeding doesn’t subside within the first few days or gets worse with time, please call us. Here are some common side-effects you can expect following your surgery:

• Minor discomfort, which can typically be relieved with prescribed or recommended over-the-counter medications.
• Intermittent bleeding, which can be managed by gently pressing a sterile piece of gauze on the surgical site.
• Swelling of the gums that can last for a week or more. Typically, this can be helped by placing a cold compress on the outside of your mouth.

Your Diet After Dental Implant Surgery

Just like with a tooth extraction, it’ll be important to stick to soft foods for the first few days to preserve your blood clot and allow your gums to heal around the implants. Some foods we recommend purchasing before your surgery include:

• Protein shakes
• Smoothies
• Ice cream
• Yogurt
• Cold soup
• Mashed potatoes
• Scrambled eggs
• Pasta
• Pudding

Post-Op Health & Oral Hygiene

It’s crucial to maintain good oral hygiene after your dental implant placement to keep an infection from developing and prevent the accumulation of bacteria within the mouth. Make sure to:

• Brush your teeth like normal, paying extra careful attention when cleaning around the implant placement sites.
• Rinse your mouth with salt water two to three times a day, especially following meals, to clean around your implants. Instead of spitting the water out, let it pour out of your mouth into the sink to keep the blood clot intact.
• Don’t use mouthwash containing alcohol.

What to Do After Your New Teeth are Attached

Over the next three to six months following your surgery, your dental implants in Las Vegas will fuse with the jawbone. This will allow our team to secure your final restorations to them. You’ll likely feel some sensitivity, swelling, or bleeding in your gums, but this should subside within days following the attachment of your prosthetic. After that, you’ll be able to fully enjoy your newly restored smile!

Can I take dental implants out?

No, because they are designed to serve as a lifelong solution for missing teeth. An implant post is surgically placed into the jaw, which your bone will fuse to through a process called osseointegration. After you’ve finished healing, the post can remain in place forever with the proper care. Only a trained dental professional can take them out, like in cases of failure. While you can’t remove the posts, some implant dentures can be taken out for easy cleaning.

Does it hurt to get dental implants?

You’ll require oral surgery to insert the posts, but you won’t feel any pain during the process. Your jawbone doesn’t have any nerve endings. Not to mention, sedation or anesthesia will be used to ensure you are comfortable. However, it’s normal for your mouth to feel sore once the effects of any numbing agents dissipate. An OTC pain reliever and applying cold compresses will reduce your discomfort. A cold compress will also minimize any swelling or bruising. It’s best to eat softer foods until your dentist instructs otherwise.

What are the signs of dental implant failure?

Dental implants are the most reliable method of treating tooth loss. Generally, the risk of implant failure is less than 5%, which is often caused by an infection called peri-implantitis. If the infection is detected and treated early, you can avoid losing your smile. Contact your implant dentist in Las Vegas right away if you develop inflammation, redness, or bleeding around the post. Don’t wait to see your dentist if pressure on the implant causes pain, or the post feels loose. Your dentist will find the source of the problem and provide the best treatment to avoid dental implant failure.

How long do dental implants last?

A dental implant is proven to last for 30 years or longer; however, various factors affect the life span, like its location. Back teeth experience more pressure from chewing, so implants replacing molars may have a slightly shorter life expectancy. You can get the most from your investment by limiting hard or chewy foods. Your oral health and lifestyle habits are also essential for preserving your investment. Committing to a solid oral hygiene routine at home and visiting your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups. Your dentist will recommend breaking any bad habits that can harm your smile, like smoking, using your teeth to open bottles, or chewing on your fingernails. Wear an athletic mouthguard if you play sports and ask your dentist for a nightguard if you grind or clench your teeth. With the right maintenance, you’ll never have to worry about having your dental implants replaced.