Dental Implants

Additional procedures that may be required during implantation:

1. Bone augmentation procedure.

When there is insufficient bone tissue in the area of missing or unerupted teeth to place an implant, bone augmentation—or, in other words, a bone-building procedure—is required prior to dental implant surgery. This is necessary when the area of the missing teeth has been empty for a long time, without any chewing load, leading to bone resorption (deterioration) and, consequently, a reduction in the height and width of the jawbone. During the bone augmentation procedure, the patient’s own bone or a bone substitute is added to the missing area. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia or, at the patient’s request, under sedation.

Depending on the bone restoration method used, dental implantation is performed 4–6 months after augmentation—that is, once the bone has healed—or bone augmentation and implantation are performed during a single surgical procedure.

2. Sinus floor elevation procedure (open or closed technique).

Sinus floor elevation is a surgical procedure in which the height of the alveolar ridge is increased by adding bone to the sinus floor. The goal of the procedure is to create sufficient alveolar ridge height to allow for successful implant placement. Bone is added to the floor of the sinus and covered with a special protective membrane. After this surgery, a waiting period of 6–9 months is required; during this time, the bone placed in the sinus integrates—it becomes vascularized and is incorporated into the patient’s own bone. At that point, the implants can be placed. In certain cases, implants can be placed during the sinus lift surgery itself, thereby saving 6–9 months of time. The method used for the sinus floor elevation procedure is determined individually by the dentist for each case.

Recommendations After Dental Implantation

Dental implant surgery is generally well tolerated by the body and therefore does not cause significant discomfort. Of course, everyone’s experience is different. Sometimes patients take pain relievers on the day of surgery, but it’s not uncommon for some to not even need them. Occasionally, the dentist prescribes antibiotics after the procedure.

Here are a few things patients who have undergone the implantation procedure should know:

• Do not eat for several hours after the procedure.
• On the first day after the procedure, avoid very hot or hard foods and avoid chewing vigorously.
• Do not drink coffee or black tea on the first day.
• Do not consume alcohol for one week after the procedure, and avoid smoking for as long as possible (smoking and alcohol hinder wound healing).
• If you experience pain, take only the pain medication prescribed by your doctor.
• Do not brush your teeth with a toothbrush on the first day of the procedure. For the remainder of the period (as specified by your doctor), brush your teeth gently using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Rinse your mouth with a special mouthwash (following your doctor’s individual recommendations).
• To reduce swelling in the cheek, it is recommended to apply ice wrapped in a towel to the cheek, repeating this at intervals.
• For the first day after the procedure, try to spend as much time as possible sitting or standing so that your head is not lowered.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity for about a week.

Also, remember—if you experience persistent pain after implantation, pain when swallowing saliva, severe swelling, or a fever, it is recommended that you seek medical attention immediately.