MedicalNewsToday.com reports that scientists have found a connection between oral and cognitive health . They believe that bacteria in the mouth, especially those that cause gum disease, may contribute to cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. All those findings further underscore the importance of maintaining optimal oral hygiene. It can keep your teeth and gums healthy and help maintain long-term brain health. Undergoing dental implant oral surgery is one of the best ways to help keep your oral health in check. Not only does it replace missing teeth, but it helps preserve your gums, jawbone, and remaining pearly whites. To that end, our caring team at TERSA Oral and Facial Surgery in Lutz, FL, put together this dental implant procedure and oral surgery guide. Read on for tips on preparing for and recovering from the treatment. Confirm Eligibility for Dental Implant Oral Surgery The first step in preparing for dental implant oral surgery is scheduling a consultation with a highly experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon. They specialize in surgical procedures of the: Mouth Jaws Face Neck Because of their more extensive training and experience, your best option for a doctor for dental implants is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon . During your consultation with one, you will undergo a comprehensive check-up to confirm if you are a good candidate for implant surgery. You will also learn whether there are "prerequisites" to help you enjoy the benefits of dental implants and facilitate smoother oral surgery recovery. Here is what you can expect during the consultation to determine if you can get dental implants . Density and Health of Your Jawbone Your oral surgeon will take X-rays and CT scans during the initial consultation. They will use these diagnostic tools to assess the density and health of your jawbone. It can help them confirm whether your jawbone will give your future, high-quality dental implants a solid, stable base. If there is not enough healthy jawbone, do not worry! Your surgeon can perform a bone graft. Doing so can boost the success rate of your dental implant surgery. Bone grafts use high-quality artificial or natural bone materials. They help fill in gaps and strengthen the jawbone to support implants . Your Oral Health’s Current State According to the U.S. CDC, the top three oral health problems that most affect people's overall health and quality of life are: Gum disease Dental cavities Tooth loss The first two are the leading causes of the third. All three can contribute to even more tooth loss! Moreover, gum disease and tooth decay can interfere with the placement and material of dental implants . For instance, cavities can result in gum infections, and infected gums may not heal properly . For these reasons, your surgeon must first treat existing problems as a crucial step to preparing you for oral surgery. Discussion of the Treatment Plan Your oral surgeon will discuss your implant eligibility and other tooth replacement options . They will explain all pertinent details, including: Advantage and disadvantages Treatment longevity Recovery timeline Dental implant cost vs. those of other options Payment and financing options Your surgeon will also explain all the prerequisites of a partial or complete mouth reconstruction plan . For example, they will inform you if you need treatment for tooth decay or gum disease before the surgery. Your doctor will also explain how many implants you need. They may tell you whether you need just a single implant or are better off with All-On-4 implants . Avoid Alcohol Before and After Surgery Alcohol is okay from time to time, but please refrain from drinking before and immediately after your dental implant oral surgery . It can impair your body's ability to heal and cause unwanted complications . Besides, as the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism points out, alcohol contributes to 200+ health conditions and diseases . So cutting back on its intake can do a lot of good for one's health. Get Good Quality Sleep Getting between 7 and 9 hours of restful, quality sleep is vital to good health. However, it is even more critical if you are undergoing All-On-4 dental implant surgery. Getting enough quality sleep can help you get through the surgery. Being well-rested can also help you feel more relaxed and calm and may even aid in a faster, better recovery . On the other hand, researchers of a study published on Thieme say that poor sleep may increase pain sensitivity . Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions to a T Your highly experienced and compassionate oral surgeon will provide a detailed plan on what you must do before, during, and after the surgery. For instance, they may require you to fast (not eat or drink anything eight hours before the procedure) if you are getting IV sedation . Following this can help ensure the sedative works correctly and that you will feel comfortable as your surgeon works on giving you your teeth for life . Your surgeon will also require you to have someone accompany you during the procedure. It is for your safety, as anesthesia can make you feel woozy or dizzy. Having a responsible driver bring you to and from the surgical facility can help you (and other road users) stay safe after your tooth replacement surgery. You will also receive a list of recommended foods and drinks to have and avoid immediately and days after the procedure. Soft foods, nourishing soups, and Jell-O are must-haves . On the other hand, you must avoid foods that are: Spicy Hard Crispy Require too much chewing Follow all those instructions to recover faster and enjoy your new high-quality implants from your oral and maxillofacial specialist in Lutz, FL. Prepare for a Successful Dental Implant Oral Surgery The success of your dental implant oral surgery depends not only on your oral and maxillofacial surgeon's skills and expertise. You must also prepare yourself by avoiding alcohol, getting enough sleep, and following your doctor's instructions to a T. If you are ready to enjoy a dazzling smile and full mouth functionality with high-quality implants, Dr. Andrés E. Guerra-Andrade and the team at TERSA Oral and Facial Surgery in Lutz, FL, are happy to help! Dr. Guerra-Andrade will use the expertise, knowledge, and skills he has honed for over a decade as an oral surgeon to help you achieve your oral health goals .  Learn more about the treatments and services we provide to the Tampa Bay community by calling us today!

Do you have a badly infected tooth that requires root canal therapy (RCT)? If so, you are not alone; RCT is one of the most common types of oral surgery . According to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), professionals perform about 15 million RCTs yearly! In addition to RCT, exodontia (e.g., wisdom teeth removal) and tooth implants are other typical dental surgery procedures. Done correctly, they can help improve and maintain optimal oral health and mouth functions. However, the success of your procedure hinges not only on the expertise of your oral surgeon but also on how you prepare for the surgery. The caring experts at TERSA Oral and Facial Surgery in Lutz, FL, have shared tips to help you prepare effectively. Read on to discover how to enjoy a smoother, more seamless oral surgery recovery. Professional Consultation and Evaluation The first step in preparing for oral surgical treatment is a comprehensive consultation with a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon . During this step, your highly skilled surgeon will do the following. Review Your History To confirm that surgery is the right step, your oral surgeon will review your: Medical, dental, and family history Current medications Previous surgeries Your surgeon will also ask whether you have allergies. Please let your doctor know, as allergic reactions to anesthesia are possible, albeit rare. Perform a Thorough Physical Examination Your oral surgeon will evaluate your oral health by examining your: Teeth Gums Surgical site You may also need X-rays or scans of the treatment area, especially if this is your first visit or you have a problem that may require emergency oral surgery . Discussion Your oral surgeon will discuss the necessary procedure, including: The steps involved Expected outcomes Anesthetic options Potential risks During this step, you can ask your doctor as many pertinent questions as possible. Please do not hesitate to have your surgeon address your concerns about undergoing emergency oral surgery . You can also ask about recovery timelines and post-operative care. The exact treatment you will undergo depends on your health concerns and goals. However, your oral surgeon may recommend one or more of the following oral surgeries : Root Canal Treatment (RCT) : To remove infected pulp and tissue inside an affected tooth Wisdom Tooth Extraction : To remove a problematic or impacted wisdom tooth Dental Implant Surgery : To replace lost teeth and tooth roots by placing dental implants into the jawbone Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery) : To correct jaw and teeth alignment for functional or aesthetic purposes Your individual health needs and preferences will influence the type of oral surgery and the specific preparation steps you must take. But please do not worry. You will receive comprehensive and personalized pre- and post-care instructions, provided you choose an experienced oral surgeon in Lutz, FL. Practice Better Oral Hygiene Habits Brushing your teeth twice and flossing once daily is vital to achieving and maintaining optimal oral hygiene. They help protect your pearly whites and gums from plaque, tartar, and germs that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. So, they are critical to oral health, whether your teeth are in excellent shape or you are about to undergo oral and maxillofacial surgery . Quit Smoking Quitting smoking is one of the best ways to boost and protect your oral and overall health. After all, smoking harms almost every organ in the body. Moreover, SmokeFree.gov explains that smoking even just a single stick of cigarette a day can already have adverse effects on the body's ability to heal wounds . It can also make tooth and gum pain worse. For those reasons, quitting smoking can be especially beneficial for people who are about to undergo oral surgery, whether it is for tooth extraction, RCT, or dental implants. By kicking the habit, you can prepare better for the procedure and reduce your risks of post-surgery complications. Avoid Alcohol An article published by Medical News Today talked about how consuming alcohol before surgery can result in the following: Severe complications during the procedure Increased bleeding Anesthetic interference Post-operative complications The same article notes that researchers advise patients to abstain from alcohol at least two to four weeks before the procedure . Abstinence can help lower the risk of surgical complications. Likewise, it is best to refrain from drinking for five to six weeks after your oral surgery . Arrange for a Companion and Designated Driver Anesthesia helps patients undergoing oral surgery have a more comfortable and relaxing experience. However, they can stay in the body for hours and may cause temporary side effects like: Confusion and drowsiness that can reduce one's ability to think clearly Impaired judgment and coordination Nausea or dizziness All those possible side effects may impair your ability to drive safely after your oral surgeon in Lutz , FL, has successfully performed your procedure. So, for your and other road users' safety, please have a responsible adult accompany and drive you to and from the surgical facility . Follow the Surgeon’s Instructions Your oral surgeon will provide detailed instructions on what you must do before, during, and after the surgery. The exact steps will vary depending on the surgery, but they may include: Fasting , including avoiding eating or drinking for a specific period before surgery (depending on the anesthesia) Medication adjustments , such as temporarily stopping using medicines like blood thinners before the surgery Wearing comfortable clothing on the day of the treatment Going on a soft diet for a few days after the procedure You may also have to take medications prescribed by your highly skilled oral surgeon in Lutz , FL, to help encourage smooth recovery. Please take these medicines as directed, especially antibiotics, which can help prevent infections at the surgical site. Prepare for Your Oral Surgery Consulting with a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, practicing better oral hygiene habits, and avoiding alcohol are all crucial steps and tips for preparing for oral surgery . If you need oral surgery, whether an emergency tooth extraction, RCT, or implants, please know that TERSA Oral and Facial Surgery can help. Our doctor, Dr. Andrés E. Guerra-Andrade, has been an oral surgeon for over a decade and has served the Tampa Bay community for over seven years . Dr. Guerra-Andrade will use his expertise, skills, and specialization in dentoalveolar procedures, as well as the help of his professional dental team, to help you achieve better oral health.  Call us today to request an appointment!