Dentist in Calgary provides tips on how to mentally prepare for dental implants
Dental implants are often referred to as the “gold standard” for tooth replacement for patients who are facing tooth loss, but the procedure for placing the implant can invoke anxiety and dental fear. At Lake Chaparral Dental Care in Calgary, AB, Dr. Palka Sawhney Sharma understands that it can be difficult to decide on the best treatment for you and then mentally prepare for the procedure. She and her team of dental professionals are here to help guide you every step of the way, from tips on how to get ready for your implant placement to thorough after-care guidance to help make your recovery as rapid as possible.
Learn as much as you can in advance and ask lots of questions
A lot of anxieties and fears can be alleviated with knowledge. Fear of the unknown is a very real issue, and the way to prevent it is education! We encourage our patients to learn as much as they can about the dental implant procedure and to ask as many questions as they want. In your initial consultation, we will go over what to expect before, during, and after your dental implant placement, and we are just a phone call away to answer any questions that you may think of after your consultation. Topics we encourage our patients to learn about include:
- What the dentist will do during the procedure
- How long it will take
- The level of pain to expect afterwards and what pain management options are available to you
- How to reduce swelling and inflammation
- When to call the dentist if something doesn’t seem right
- The benefits of dental implants and patient success stories – these can help reassure you that it is well worth the process!
Enjoy your favorite foods the day before the procedure
The foods you can eat will be limited in the first few days after the dental implant procedure, so we encourage you to treat yourself the day before and enjoy your favorite foods! You may need to fast for a certain time period before your surgery, so make sure to plan your meals and snacks around these requirements.
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Get a good night’s rest
It can be hard to quiet your mind and get to sleep when you are nervous about something but try to get a good night’s sleep before your procedure. Relaxation techniques such as mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, or gentle yoga before bed are all good tactics to help you drift off to sleep.
Wear comfortable clothes
Loose, comfortable clothing can help you feel more relaxed than if you are wearing tight-fitting or uncomfortable apparel.
Bring a friend or family member
You will need someone to drive you home from your procedure because you may be groggy from medications or anesthesia. Bringing a trusted friend or family member with you to the appointment can have the added benefit of easing your anxieties, as you can talk with them in the car and while you are waiting to take your mind off the procedure.
Plan out and prepare for your first few days after surgery
As a general rule, it is a good idea to plan to take a few days off of work after your procedure so you can focus on resting, healing, and taking care of yourself. You may want to stock up on good books, movies, card games, and other low-key activities that you can do at home by yourself or with a friend or family member while you rest and recover. It is also a good idea to avoid planning any important social or family events for about a week after your surgery so that you can ensure you are feeling up to them.
Post-surgery, you will need to eat very soft foods such as smoothies, soups, soft noodles, and applesauce for a few days while your mouth begins to heal. Preparing some foods in advance so you don’t need to worry about cooking can alleviate some of the stress about your dietary restrictions in the initial recovery period. You can make foods and freeze them so they are easy to pull out when you are hungry and planning a trip to your local smoothie or milkshake shop can be a fun treat to look forward to. Dr. Sawhney Sharma can also recommend vitamins or other supplements that can help give your body the nutritional boost it needs for optimal recovery.
We are here to help and answer your questions!
At Lake Chaparral Dental Care, we care about your comfort and want you to be well-informed and confident about your dental implant process. Dr. Palka Sawhney Sharma is always happy to answer questions and encourages patients to call or schedule an appointment if they have any questions or concerns, they would like to address in advance of their procedure. Call our Calgary, AB office at (403) 768-2271 at any time!
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