The true success of dental implant installation surgery is verified after several weeks or months, when the artificial tooth root has already reached the stability needed to function like a genuine tooth. Throughout the post-operative stage, most of the tasks to maintain the implant lie on the hands of the patient, since the dentist will only mostly provide instructions on taking care of the implant to prevent it from getting dislodged.

Right after the surgery, the bone and the surrounding gum area where the implant has been placed would be tender. Most dentists would recommend a diet of soft foods in the first few days to a week of the post-operative stage. This will prevent swelling and bleeding, which often lead to infection.

The aim of the procedure is to allow the metal tooth root to completely fuse with the jawbone where it was implanted. Such a process is not completed overnight. It will take around six months for the bone to have a strong hold of the implant, enough for the bridge to function properly. During those months, the patient has to take care not to accidentally dislodge the implant.

Proper oral hygiene is also needed to keep bacteria at bay. Bacteria can cause the bridge to stain and deteriorate, as well as the gums to recede. The patient should floss and brush regularly using the type of brush and floss specified by his dentist.

Impacted wisdom teeth present a significantly higher risk of complications for middle age and elderly patients than those within the 15 to 25 age bracket. This is because existing medical conditions and lowered healing ability are common in the former. Aside from that, the risk of nerve damage and jaw fracture is also significantly greater.

Most elderly patients with impacted wisdom teeth are the victims of their own neglect. Yet there are some who claim they didn't worry about it because their dentists told them they shouldn't have any problems with their wisdom teeth. However, given that there's always a possibility for teeth to move and gums to recede over time, a number of elderly people could still develop problems with their wisdom teeth.

Since it's harder to address wisdom teeth problems in elder patients, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recommend that wisdom teeth be removed by age 25 to limit the complications and risks associated with the surgery. Furthermore, after the age of 25, asymptomatic wisdom teeth which are completely covered by bone and have complete root development should be monitored for problems that would necessitate removal.

Add to that, patients over 35 should have their wisdom teeth monitored annually via a panoramic radiograph and periodental probing. The dentist must then refer the patient to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon if symptoms or complications were to develop.

A cleft lip is a facial and oral malformation that is characterized by the physical split or separation of the two sides of the upper lip that can extend beyond the base of the nose up to the nostrils. A cleft palate, on the other hand, looks essentially the same, but the split or opening extends to or involves the roof of the mouth. Medical researchers report that these related conditions are a kind of birth defect that affect about one of every 1,000 newborns worldwide.

During pregnancy, the two areas of the face develop individually and come together, eventually fusing to form a whole. Part of this fusion involves the lips and the roof of the mouth coming together, yet unfortunately, in some instances, this process isn't completed properly before birth, thus leading to these so-called “orofacial clefts”.

There are certain genetic factors that could likewise increase the likelihood of a baby developing either one of these birth defects. For instance, females are more likely to develop cleft palates whereas males are twice as likely to be born with a cleft lip. Moreover, both conditions are more prevalent in certain races, namely American Indian, Asian, and Latino. Parents with a family history of cleft lip or cleft palate carry a higher risk of having a child with a cleft.

While removing an incisor may be quick and simple (some even do it with a string and a door), removing wisdom teeth is a bit harder. Wisdom teeth are usually deeply rooted that typical forceps aren't enough to remove them. This means that the post-operative care after a wisdom tooth removal surgery is also a little different from that of a typical tooth extraction. Here are some of the basic steps:

Bleeding is normal but if it keeps going for 24 hours, call the dentist right away. However, the easiest way to deal with bleeding gum is to gently bite on a gauze pad. Do not lie down flat as this will prolong the bleeding and with it the healing process. Eat soft foods until your gums are strong enough to take on hard ones.

The dentist might stitch the gum area where the tooth was extracted depending on the size of the wound. It may take some time for the stitched area to completely heal so be careful not to move it with your tongue. Do not use straw for few days to prevent aggravating the wound or cutting the stitch open.

If you want the wound to heal fast, do not smoke for a couple of weeks. The nicotine in cigars can potentially reduce the speed of blood clotting, causing the wound to stay fresh a lot longer than normal.

As much as you want to take care of them, your teeth can still be dislodged permanently in a number of ways. Disease, smoking, poor oral health, or even an unfortunate accident can be all that it takes to lose a tooth for good. However, you shouldn't have to worry about flashing gap-filled teeth since dental implants are there to help you rebuild your smile.

Unlike dentures, these implants are more permanent, more durable, and don't require adhesives to keep them in place in your mouth. They literally function as replacement teeth and won't hinder you from eating or speaking; having them is as if you've never lost a tooth in the first place! Additionally, your existing set of teeth need not be altered if you want to have dental implants installed, unlike tooth bridges.

You only need to have a lot of patience and time to prepare for the various dental visits required for dental implants. Any remnants of the dislodged tooth/teeth have to be removed first before the metal posts can be attached directly into your jaw bone. Dentists even require patients to pass a series of tests and checkups to see if they're suitable candidates for dental implants since unhealthy gums, a poor medical record, etc. can complicate the process.