You’ve done the research and talked to your dentist, and you’ve decided that dental implants are the right tooth replacement option for you. Even though you’ve made your decision, it’s normal to feel nervous as the date of your surgery approaches. You may be worried about pain, complications, or just the way that your smile will look when you’re done. No matter what the source of your fear or anxiety is, there are some ways that you can put that anxiety to rest so that you feel calm and ready on the day of your surgery. Here are some strategies that can help.
Understand Your Anesthesia Options
With the date of your surgery approaching, you might be feeling anxious.
Your dentist wants you to feel comfortable during the surgical procedure, which is why you’ll be offered some type of anesthetic to keep you from feeling pain during the surgery. There are a number of different options, ranging from a local anesthetic to sedation to general anesthesia. The important question is what will make you the most comfortable.
Dierent people have dierent worries. If you are concerned that you may feel pain, you may feel better with sedation. If you are worried about the side effects of sedatives or general anesthesia, you may be better o with a local anesthetic. And if you have great difficulty keeping still, you may be a good candidate for general anesthesia. Understanding your options and choosing the one that’s likely to work best for you can help ease your mind about the upcoming surgery.
Speak With Someone Who’s Had Implant Surgery Before
Talking to someone who’s been through implant surgery before can help set your mind at ease about complications and the recovery process. If you don’t have any friends with dental implants, you may be able to nd a forum online for people with dental concerns where you can talk to someone who can tell you a little about what to expect.
Alternatively, your dentist may be able to put you in touch with a patient that’s been through the surgery before. If your dentist has a patient who is willing to meet with you, you could not only learn about the recovery process from someone who’s been through it, but it will also give you a chance to speak to someone who’s been treated by the same dentist, which can make their experience even more useful to you.
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
Your new smile will make it all worthwhile.
It’s important to remember why you’re getting implants. Dental implants look more realistic than other tooth replacement options, and they function almost exactly like regular teeth. You’ll regain most of the bite force that you had with your natural teeth, and the implants will even stimulate your jaw bone, helping prevent bone loss in your jaw.
Keeping focused on the reason why you’re having dental surgery can help you get past your anxieties. Think about how great you’ll feel when it’s all over with and you have a bright new smile to ash every chance you get.
If you’re considering dental implants, it’s a good idea to talk to your dentist as soon as possible. Contact us to request information.
