Dental Implants Q&A: Should They Hurt?

From the moment you consider dental implants (and likely for the rest of your life), you will find that you occasionally have questions. As we always note, we will be happy to answer all inquiries that enter your mind on the topic! Of course, you won’t be surprised to learn that we have answered just about anything you can imagine, which often includes questions about implants and pain. If you are experiencing any measure of discomfort, we urge you to come in for a visit. In the meantime, answers to some common questions may offer help.

Questions and Answers

Question: Should I expect some amount of discomfort after I receive my dental implants?

Answer: Right after you receive your implants, you can most certainly expect some discomfort for about three days or so. This is simply the result of undergoing a surgical procedure. However, you will not have to deal with any of this pain. Instead, we will set you up with instructions and any necessary prescriptions to ensure you are comfortable during the recovery process.

Question: A friend of mine experienced facial bruising after dental implant placement. Is this normal?

Answer: It is entirely normal to experience some amount of bruising and swelling for the first few days immediately following your surgery. This is the natural result of surgery and will resolve very quickly. We will offer you instructions to alleviate discomfort and minimize inflammation.

Question: Is it normal for the area surrounding my dental implants to hurt long after surgery? What if they’ve always been comfortable but now they aren’t?

Answer: This is not normal. After a few days of discomfort and swelling, you should quickly begin to return to feeling comfortable. You should also then quickly adjust to having implants in your smile. If something doesn’t feel right, call us immediately to schedule a visit.

Schedule A Visit If Something Changes With Your Implants

If you notice a change with your dental implants and the tissues surrounding them, the best decision you can make is to head in for a checkup with us. Schedule the time you need in Rohnert Park, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-584-1630 to schedule your visit today.

Dental Care: Following The Rules

There are many reasons you may visit us for dental implants and other types of oral surgery. In many instances, the factors that lead you to us will be completely unavoidable. In others, however, you may experience problems with your oral health that you could have very easily prevented with some simple yet helpful efforts. Not sure how to reduce your chance of problems like missing teeth? We can help! Just remember: Follow the rules and you’ll be in good shape.

Listen To Your General Dentist

When you visit your general dentist, you are going to be given suggestions for how to keep your entire smile as healthy as possible. This will generally include scheduling twice-a-year dental checkups and dental cleanings, as well as caring for your oral health at home with dental hygiene. Did you know that this can help you avoid problems like tooth loss, which can eventually lead to a need for dental implants? It’s true! Find a general dentist you trust, follow the rules, and you can expect your smile wellbeing to remain protected.

Jump On Restorative Care Needs ASAP

In order to prevent serious problems with your smile, remember that when your dentist suggests you schedule a procedure to restore your oral health, you should do so immediately. Patients often overlook the fact that most concerns are progressive. Your decay, infection, gingivitis, TMJ problem, and more will get worse and worse if you ignore them. Treat them, and you can often save your tooth, avoid the need for dental implants, prevent functional problems, and keep a healthy smile instead.

Keep Your Smile Healthy To Avoid Problems

Learn more about how to reduce your chance of tooth loss and other issues that may require oral surgery, so you can maintain a healthy intact smile. Schedule the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.

World No Tobacco Day: What It Means To You

As we head further into spring, did you know that World No Tobacco Day is right around the corner? Whether you use tobacco or not, this day (on May 17th, 2017) is a time to recognize the impact that tobacco can have on your life, the lives of those around you, and very importantly: On your oral health! It is, of course, a good reminder that the use of this substance can lead to severe problems for your smile. Let’s review!

If You Don’t Use Tobacco

If you don’t use tobacco, you may wish to recognize this day by continuing to avoid it. Whether you previously smoked cigarettes and have since quit, used other types of tobacco, or have never touched it, you know that your decision to avoid it is best for your oral health, for your body, for those you love, and for the environment. Keep up with this decision and your smile will remain extra safe as a result.

If You Do Use Tobacco

If you do use tobacco, World No Tobacco Day is a good moment to reflect on how you feel about this decision. If you’re interested in quitting, we can quickly provide you with a long list of reasons choosing to do so is extremely beneficial for your oral health today and in the long run. To name a few good things, you’ll be greatly decreasing the likelihood that you will face oral cancer, stained dental work (like implant crowns), problems with implant success, decay, and gum disease.

If You Want Help Quitting

If you’re not sure how to quit but you’re interested, talk with us. We can provide you with a wealth of resources, so you reach your goal.

Protect Yourself From Tobacco With Our Assistance

Ask for help if you want to quit the use of tobacco but you’re not sure where to begin and we will assist you. Schedule the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.

Implant Dentures: Your Quiz!

When you’re taking the time to research your dental implant options, you will discover that there is more than what initially meets the eye. In addition to having access to a treatment that can replace one tooth at a time, you have access to options that let you replace multiple teeth at a time. One such treatment for tooth loss is implant dentures. Never heard of them? A bit unsure about the specifics? You can learn a lot more with our quiz (and then come in for a visit to get your journey started)!

Quiz Questions: True or False?

  1. True or False: If you would like to replace multiple teeth, you may select single implants and crowns or you may select multiple implants and full or partial dentures.
  2. True or False: Implant dentures are supported by the dental implants placed into your jawbone. This is different from traditional support, which comes from your dental arch and the natural suction your mouth creates.
  3. True or False: Choosing implant-retained dentures allows you to enjoy the benefits of implants, while putting forth a more budget-friendly investment than single implants require.

Quiz Answers

  1. True. You have the option of choosing either. Some individuals prefer to replace each tooth individually. Others prefer to enjoy the stability of implants, while taking advantage of a larger prosthetic to replace multiple teeth at once.
  2. True. This type of prosthetic is crafted to fit over implant posts instead of resting on your dental ridge. You can expect exceptional stability as a result.
  3. True. When you choose implant dentures, you will be receiving multiple implants but not a full set for each empty space. As a result, the investment will be smaller and potentially better for your personal budget.

Consider Implant Dentures For Teeth Replacement

Learn more about implant dentures and your many options by coming in to see us for a consultation. Schedule the time you need in Rohnert Park, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-584-1630 to schedule your visit today.

Oral Health Protection: All About Lists

When you’re doing your best to protect your oral health, it’s easy to start feeling a bit inundated with details and things to remember (all while focusing on the millions of other daily tasks life requires of you). In order to ensure you can address your smile needs with ease, we suggest you consider getting a bit serious about keeping lists. Ready to hear more about how much this can help? We are happy to explain.

What Makes Lists Helpful?

When you realize just how far-reaching the aspects of caring for your oral health can become, the idea of keeping lists is often quite a load off! For instance, you need to remember to practice your preventive care, to see your general dentist, and to keep your bathroom stocked with dental hygiene items. You may also need to keep up with scheduling and showing up for your visits with us, following our suggestions, and coming in for continued care. With lists, keeping it all sorted and staying ahead of the game remains easy and you remain free of smile-related stress.

What Types Of Lists Should I Keep?

When you’re considering the best way to organize the details of your oral health, it’s all about what works for you! However, to get you started, we have some suggestions that may make organizing the details much simpler to approach, including the following:

  • Keep a “General Dental” list, which may include everything you need regarding your home care (such as a shopping list for essential products)
  • Next, keep an “Appointments” list, which can include any and all appointments that you need to schedule and that you have already scheduled with your general dentist or our practice
  • Consider a “Travel List” to ensure you never leave home without the products and items you need for your smile

Keep Your Oral Health Safe With Helpful Tips

We are happy to help you keep your oral health in excellent condition with some simple tips (that can make all the details easier to track). Schedule the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.

2 Important Reasons To Brush And Floss

When asked about the foundation of a healthy smile, you probably answer on autopilot with something regarding the importance of brushing and flossing. Fortunately, you are right on track! However, if pressed a bit further, do you think you can explain the significance of your dental hygiene as it applies to your oral health on a much broader spectrum? What does it have to do with dental implants, for instance? To ensure you feel the magnitude of your smile care (and understand that your efforts are certainly worthwhile), we would like to share with you a couple reasons to keep up with your brushing and flossing.

#1: Dealing With Other Issues Is More Than Enough

What are you coming to see us for? Do you require jaw surgery? Are you dealing with impacted wisdom teeth? When you come to our practice for care, you’re experiencing something that’s more complex than is treatable by your general dentist. As a result, the last thing you probably want is to have to pile problems like tooth decay and gingivitis on top of your present concerns. Practice dental hygiene and keep teeth clean, so we can focus on your oral surgery needs and guide your smile toward exceptional condition.

#2: You’ll Keep Your Dental Work Longer

Do you have dental implants? How long would you like them to last? A year? A few years? How about for the rest of your life? To promote implants that remain clean and that remain successful, your main focus should rest on dental hygiene. When you keep teeth and gums clean, you prevent problems like inflammation that can cause implants to fail. See? Brushing and flossing really do protect you in more ways than you may have imagined (and it only take minutes of your time every day).

Focus On Dental Hygiene For Success With Dental Care

Find out more from us regarding how to best keep your smile completely healthy, so you can enjoy comfort, function, and a wonderful daily quality of life. Schedule the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.

Do I Really Need X-Rays?

Sometimes (in many instances), we will need to take X-rays of your oral structures. You might ask yourself why this is necessary, what it allows us to do, and why we can’t just look closely at what we can see with our eyes alone and go from there. To help you feel more confident about coming in for the comprehensive treatment plan you require to protect your oral health, we offer some helpful details about advanced imaging and why it’s part of your care.

We Need To See Everything

Of course, we can gain a lot of information by talking with you about your smile and by looking at your teeth and surrounding structures. They provide details and hints. However, making estimations and guesses about what’s happening beneath your teeth, within your teeth, and within the supportive framework surrounding your smile is not at all precise. For the precision necessary to offer accurate diagnoses and care, we need a way to see the tissues that are not visible on the surface. This is where advanced imaging comes in, giving us the insight required.

Care Requires Detailed Planning

Why do we need advanced imaging to plan, you wonder? Let’s take dental implants as a solid example. In order to ensure you are in fact ready for implants, we need to see how your jaw health is. If it passes, we can move forward. If not, we may need to perform bone grafting. Then, we need to create a very detailed strategy for the placement of your implants to promote optimal healing, alignment, and more. How can we see deeper into your tissues for a complete visual of your smile? With advanced imaging, of course. Have additional questions? We are always happy to answer them.

Achieve Optimal Case Planning With Advanced Imaging

Coming in for the X-rays and imaging you need is essential to receiving the precise treatments and care for a healthy, complete smile. Schedule the time you need in Rohnert Park, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-584-1630 to schedule your visit today.

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Oral Surgery Post-Op Meds: Things To Consider

After you undergo oral surgery, you (like many patients) may return home with a prescription for strong pain reliever that are specifically suggested for patients who have received treatments like jaw surgery. This is, of course, something that gives you the security you need, knowing you will be able to remain completely comfortable following your surgery. Does that mean that you will always require an Rx? Will you be able to function on such medication and still work? We gladly answer these and other frequent questions.

You May Need More Than OTC Options

It’s entirely possible that you may be able to rely on over-the-counter medications to alleviate any inflammation and discomfort that you experience after oral surgery. However, it is also common practice to prescribe something stronger if necessary. Speak with us about your preferences and your discomfort tolerance, so we may decide together about the best decision for your needs.

You Might Need Time Off From Daily Tasks

If you do end up relying on prescription medication after oral surgery, it is important to remember that it will result in some minor impairment that will require you to stay home from work, class, or other obligations (and you will need to avoid driving until the medicine is out of your system).

Drug Storage And Disposal Require Extra Thought

Remember that you cannot just shake your extra pills into the trash bin, garbage disposal, or toilet bowl. Instead, you will need to thoughtfully rid yourself of them as described on the package or you will need to bring them to a local drug collection location provided by your community to keep the drugs out of our water systems. Otherwise, the drugs can end up in drinking water, harming aquatic life, and more.

Make Good Choices For Your Smile

Let us know if you require assistance with your oral health, so we may offer our comprehensive oral surgery treatment options. Schedule the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.

How to Relax During Visits

We know that for many of our patients, certain dental visits can feel more stressful than others. In some instances, just coming in for a consultation can result in heightened nervousness. Whether you end up with butterflies in your stomach for particular treatments or if dental anxiety is a consistent part of your life, we would like to remind you that we understand! It is, of course, our hope to guide you through the care your smile needs, while helping you feel reassured and peaceful. To help get you started on the right track, we offer some ways to relax that you may not have considered before.

Ask Us Questions

Are you someone who tends to overanalyze everything? Who simply likes all of the information? Who begins to feel uneasy when you have a question but you don’t feel like you have immediate access to a reliable answer? If so, you are like a lot of people! To reduce any unease you experience during visits, we strongly suggest you ask your questions during dental visits instead of keeping them bottled up.

Relax, Relax, Relax

It’s often a matter of remembering that you’re at a dental visit to promote your oral health. Everything we do is to provide a positive impact on your smile and supportive structures. So, release your tension, relax your body from head to toe, and remind yourself that all you have to do is rest during your dental visit, while we do our job!

Ask About Sedation

We offer a comprehensive selection of dental sedation options. Speak with us about them and how they may help address your particular needs.

Learn More About How To Enjoy Your Visits

Speak with us about sedation if you would like to come in but are having trouble accessing care because of serious anxiety. Schedule the time you need in Rohnert Park, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-584-1630 to schedule your visit today.