Your Guide to Preparing for Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implant day is on the calendar, and suddenly you’re wondering how to prepare for dental implant surgery and how you’ll feel during the dental implant recovery process. Here’s the reassuring part: dental implant surgery is a common restorative dental procedure that is often easy to recover from. And with a 10-year implant survival rate of 96%, you’ll likely only need to undergo this procedure once in your lifetime. 

Continue reading to learn how to prepare for procedure day and set you on the track to a faster recovery with tips from the best dentist in Redwood City 

How to Know if Dental Implants are Right for You 

Dental implants are a durable, long-term tooth replacement solution for those with one or more missing teeth who want a tooth replacement that looks and feels completely natural. While dental implants are popular and common, they aren’t for everyone. You must meet certain specific criteria to be considered eligible for treatment. Candidates for dental implants must have: 

• Healthy gums, with no signs of early gum disease
• Enough jawbone to support an implant 
• A commitment to good daily brushing and flossing

Before setting a surgery date, your dentist will check your bone density with a 3D scan, known as a cone-beam CT, and then discuss risk factors that can slow healing, such as: 

• Smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco use
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Certain medications
• Signs of active gum disease
• Previous history of poor dental health 
• Deterioration of the jawbone if it’s been a while since you lost your tooth

Dental implants are an excellent option if you are frustrated with dentures that slip or move, or if you want to replace a traditional dental bridge with a more stable, permanent tooth replacement. Unlike dentures or bridges, dental implants help prevent jawbone loss and provide stability that closely mimics natural teeth.

Getting Ready for Dental Implant Surgery

A smooth dental implant experience starts before you ever sit in the chair. Here’s what you should know to feel organized and comfortable before, during, and after your procedure:

Medications That Can Affect Dental Implant Surgery

Like with any surgical procedure, your medication list matters: 

• Bring a full list of everything you take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen, diabetes medications, and supplements like fish oil or turmeric, so your dentist can give you clear, safe instructions. 
• It’s important not to stop prescription medications on your own, especially blood thinners or other anticoagulants, because these can affect your overall health. If necessary, your dentist can coordinate with your primary doctor or cardiologist to adjust them safely. 
• If you are prescribed antibiotics or a prescription mouth rinse before surgery, follow the timing exactly, even if it feels tedious, because those small steps help keep the surgical site clean and protected as your body heals.

Preparing for Dental Sedation for Dental Implant Surgery

Fasting before implant surgery depends on the type of dental anesthesia you are having. If you are scheduled for IV sedation, you will usually need to stop eating and drinking for a set number of hours. If you are not having IV sedation, your office may allow a light meal, but it is important to follow the exact instructions you are given. Whether dental sedation is planned or not, you will need to plan for a ride home because you may not feel well enough to drive yourself, or the plan not to use sedation could change during the procedure.

What to do the Day Before and Day of Surgery

The day before and the morning of surgery are the worst times to let your nerves get the best of you. To help keep yourself calm: 

• Following any brushing and flossing directions your dentist recommends, including using any rinse your dentist prescribed 
• Set up small comfort basics at home, like ice packs in the freezer, pain medicine you are cleared to take, and a couple of pillows to keep your head slightly raised when you rest
• Arrange for a ride home and for someone to be with you for the first 24 hours, even if you do not plan to have dental sedation
• On surgery day, wear soft, comfortable layers, bring an easy-to-remove jacket, and leave valuables at home

What to Eat After Dental Implant Surgery

After implant surgery, your mouth will be sore for a few days. Stock your kitchen ahead of time with soft foods, like smoothies, yogurt, soups, scrambled eggs, and protein shakes. After a few days, you can start adding foods that require a bit more chewing, like scrambled eggs or oatmeal. For the first week or two, you’ll want to avoid any crunchy, hard, or chewy foods, as well as spicy or very hot foods, and alcohol. 

Where to Find a Dentist Who Offers the Best Dental Implants in Redwood City 

A missing tooth can affect many things, from how well you can speak and chew to your confidence in photos and even your oral health. Those looking for the best restorative dentists in Redwood City for dental implants turn to Dr. Tara Firouzi, Dr. Shahrdad Kazerani, and Dr. Zachary Hollander. We plan every dental implant procedure with careful measurements, clear timelines, and the highest level of detail to ensure the final result is secure and natural-looking. 

You can expect a calm, comfortable experience in our state-of-the-art clinic, with an expert team that explains and coordinates each step so you know what’s coming next and never feel unsure.