Preventing Tooth Decay To Maintain Healthy Teeth

Preparing For Your Dental Implant Procedure: Four Steps To Take

Getting dental implants is a great way to restore your smile and replace missing or damaged teeth. Before you head to the dentist for this procedure, there are a few things you can do in advance to help make the process go smoothly. Here are some steps to consider making before your appointment.

Schedule Personal Days

Depending on the time of day you choose for your appointment, you may need to take the day off of work. However, you may want to consider taking additional time off as well. This can give you the time you need to rest and recover after the procedure, and it also means you can take prescription pain medication without worrying about driving to work. If you operate heavy machinery for a living, your employer may even require you to stay home while taking prescription pain medication. Plan on taking at least one personal day after the procedure, and clear it with your employer in advance so you can be sure you have the time off you need.

Plan For Prescriptions

Your dentist may prescribe pain medication to help with discomfort after the procedure, and he or she may also prescribe antibiotics to help prevent infections as you heal. Ask your dentist about sending these prescriptions to your pharmacy of choice the day before your appointment. Picking up the prescriptions ahead of time means you have one less thing to worry about after your procedure is over. Your dentist may also be able to send you home with a prescription as well, so be sure to ask about the different options available.

Arrange For A Ride

Your dentist may use any number of anesthesia and pain management treatments during the procedure, and some of them may leave you groggy or confused. This can prevent you from being able to safely drive yourself home. Even without these treatments, you may find that the discomfort makes it difficult for you to focus on driving. If possible, ask for a friend to accompany you to the dentist. You can also arrange for a taxi or ride sharing service to take you home. Be sure to have payment set up in advance for either of these options so you don't have to worry about paying through an app or finding a credit card. Some transportation services will let you pay in advance to avoid this issue.

Ask For Discharge Instructions

Your dentist will likely go over post-procedure care instructions before you leave, but you may want to ask for these instructions in writing. Pain medication and anesthesia may make it difficult to remember these instructions, and having them written down can make it easier for you to know what you should and shouldn't do in the days after your procedure.

Talk with your dentist about any concerns you have before your appointment so you can feel confident about what will happen during and after your dental implant procedure.


Share