Welcome to the third installment of this four-part article series in which we speak to a panel of experienced Colorado Springs family dentists on tooth loss and the virtues of dental implants. In our previous article installment, it was explained that dental implant procedures are typically done in a separate appointment so that your dentist or surgeon had adequate time to plan treatment in greater detail. Now, let’s take a look what happens on D-day!
On the day of my procedure, what can I expect?
Does it hurt to have implants placed?
“In preparation for treatment, the gum surrounding the implant site will be thoroughly numbed so that you don’t feel a thing throughout the procedure,” explain the dental implant dentists in Colorado Springs. “If you’re really nervous, anxious or uncomfortable, you can speak to your dentist or surgeon about also receiving sedation. This’ll help the treatment whizz by without you really registering what’s going on, but you’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you home.”
What is involved in sedation? Is it true that it makes you feel awful afterwards?
“The sedative medication used by most dental implants surgeons is easily metabolized by the body, so once its effects have worn off, most patients don’t feel anything other than a little tired. It’s extremely unusual for patients to experience “hangover” symptoms. If you have in the past, you may be slightly allergic to certain sedative medications and you should mention this to your dentist or surgeon.”
“With regards to how sedation works, there are three primary modes of administration: (1) nitrous oxide gas, which is breathed in through an oxygen mask, (2) Intravenous sedation, which is administered directly into the vein and (3) a pill, which is usually taken 30 minutes to an hour before the procedure. The method used varies depending on which dental implant surgeon you go to in Colorado Springs, so just speak to yours during the planning stages of your treatment.”
After sedation and anesthesia and before I’m allowed to return home, what exactly happens during dental implant treatment?
Stay Tuned for Part 4
To find out more about the journey involved in getting teeth replaced with dental implants, stay tuned for the final installment of this four-part article series.