When I finish a patient’s preliminary care for dental implants, they often ask the same question. Namely, they wonder what they should do next to prepare for the placement surgery. Their concern is only natural; a dental implant surgery is a big deal, even as it’s vital to the results they want.
I find that prepping nervous patients for implant surgery can relieve their anxiety. With that said, here are the recommendations I offer to help them prepare.
Get Your Home Set Up
A patient needs lots of rest after a dental implant surgery. To make this relaxation easier, you could ensure your space is clean and ready beforehand. Some examples include picking up your room, moving things closer to your bed or armchair, or “cozying up” the area. These actions would let you sit back and start healing right when you get home.
You should also stock up on soft and liquid foods to eat while you recover. These kinds of items are crucial, as hot, spicy, crunchy, and hard stuff would irritate your mouth and risk implant failure. As for which soft and liquid foods to get, consider pudding, warm soup, apple sauce, etc.; these sorts of dishes are the ones you’ll have at first. You can also get things like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and pasta – foods that are safe to have in the coming weeks.
Plan Your Transportation
If the surgery’s anesthetic isn’t enough to calm you, the dentist can add dental sedation to the mix. (It’d make you feel greatly relaxed and worry-free.) However, note that sedatives often impact a person’s ability to drive safely and effectively. You’ll need to ask a friend or family member to take you to and from your appointment. Not only will they keep you safe and get you home, but they’ll also reassure you that someone you trust is nearby.
Stick to Any Pre-Op Instructions
In the days before your surgery, your surgeon will give you detailed pre-op instructions to follow. Stick to these rules to lower the risk of complications during your procedure. Furthermore, quickly run through the instructions with your dentist when you get them; it’s better to clear up any confusion sooner rather than later.
Of course, it’s easier said than done not to worry about dental implant surgery. But I (and other implant dentists) gladly work with patients to ensure they get the resources to be confident in the process. If you want to feel good about your next steps, simply talk to your dental provider.
About the Practice
Ellicott City Smiles is based in Ellicott City, MD. Led by an amazing team of talented dentists, our practice seeks to make your grin as strong, beautiful, and long-lasting as possible. We thus offer a wide range of custom dental treatments, including in-house dental implant placement. Whatever need your smile has, rest assured that our team is on it! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (410)-465-3224.