Dr. Wanda Mejia of Westchester TMJ & Aesthetics has chosen to focus her career on TMJ, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and Full Mouth Reconstruction (also referred to as full mouth restoration and full mouth rejuvenation). Our Full Mouth Reconstruction process begins with a comprehensive consultation and examination. Our amazingly talented team utilizes the latest in innovative dental technology to assess your oral health thoroughly and design a customized treatment plan tailored to fix your problems and attain your goals.

Your full-mouth reconstruction plan may include a combination of dental procedures such as implants, veneers, crowns, bridges, and specialized TMJ treatment to achieve optimal oral health. We are a holistic practice, which means we consider the whole body and mind as we plan your treatment plan. When all parts work harmoniously, our full-mouth reconstructions are life-changing.

Types of Dental Implants

Dental implants are often an integral part of a patient’s full-mouth rehabilitation. There are many types of dental implants, but regardless of what kind you have, the care instructions after placement of the implants are very much the same.

Dental implants allow dentists to replace an entire arch of teeth with only four titanium implant posts, which can be done in just one surgery. Even if some of your teeth need to be extracted, you can have a brand-new smile in one day. One massive advantage of teeth in a day is that a bone graft is unnecessary with this type of dental implant, making this an affordable, appealing choice for many of our patients facing a full mouth reconstruction.

Traditional dental implants usually require more than four titanium posts to be implanted into the jawbone, but the after-care instructions are basically the same as those for teeth-in-a-day implants.

Post-Surgery Care of Dental Implants

On the day of dental implant surgery,

  • Even though you may want to spit, do not. Instead, you can use a tissue to wipe your mouth as needed, or you may swallow your saliva.
  • You cannot use a straw.
  • You can’t smoke.
  • Keep your fingers and tongue away from the surgical area; even if your hands are sanitized, keep them out of your mouth. Resist the urge to touch or feel the implanted regions.
  • Get as much rest as possible.
  • Wait to return to work until you receive medical clearance.
  • Wait to exercise until you are advised it is safe to do so.
  • Eat and drink only the foods and beverages we have listed as safe.
  • Call our dental office with any questions or symptoms that continue longer than they should.
  • You will be informed about the expected duration of pain and tenderness. If these symptoms continue beyond the expected time, please contact the office.
  • You will receive detailed instructions for caring for your dental implants after the surgery.

Using a straw, spitting, smoking, and touching the surgical area can dislodge the blood clot that is forming, and this will likely cause bleeding. Smoking will likely lead to severe problems and can be disastrous to your health as you recover from dental implant surgery. Here are some other issues you’ll want to know about as you heal from dental implant surgery.

Bleeding

Some minor bleeding is expected following your dental implant surgery. The bleeding will typically subside quickly and stop within an hour or two. You’ll experience oozing for a few hours after the surgery; keep gauze on the surgical area according to Dr. Mejia’s directions.

Swelling

Swelling following surgery is common, and swelling may increase for 24–48 hours before it subsides. Some patients experience facial bruising after implant surgery, but that is a rare occurrence.

Diet

Avoid chewing on the implant areas and follow the diet instructions carefully. Following our directions to the letter will allow you to eat and drink your favorite things more quickly.

Oral hygiene

Brush and floss according to our dentist’s directions. When possible, soft, gentle brushing and flossing are vital to allowing the dental implant areas to heal.

Sutures

Your dissolvable sutures will be gone in four to ten days.

Restoration Placement

A dental crown can be attached to a dental implant once the implant has fused to the bone through the process of osseointegration. The length of time the bone must heal varies and depends on many factors, including the number of implants you get and how stable they are in your mouth.

Medications

Take prescription medication as instructed, and call the office if you have any unusual side effects.

Contact Westchester TMJ & Aesthetics to Learn More

If you have questions about the after-care of your dental implants, please contact Dr. Wanda Mejia by calling (914) 594-6854. You may also fill out our online contact form, and one of our team members will reach out to answer questions or assist with scheduling.