Dental implants are a common fix to address tooth loss from decay or injury. As the premier oral surgeon in Reno NV, RTOS uses the latest technology and techniques to ensure the success of dental implants and minimize any discomfort. Our highly-skilled team strives to provide you with the best results and complete satisfaction when looking in the mirror.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root affixed to your mouth’s bone structure. The implant acts as an anchor, allowing an artificial tooth to be placed into the space to match your other teeth. An implant is commonly made up of three parts: the implant itself, the abutment, and the crown. Today’s implants are virtually unnoticeable, and offer superior function and looks over ‘flippers’ and bridges.
Dental implants are not for everyone. You must have healthy gums and sufficient bone strength to mount the implant. Luckily for those searching for ‘oral surgery near me’ in Northern Nevada, RTOS now integrates cutting edge software and a piece of equipment that can analyze your unique bone structure to determine the best course of action when proceeding with a dental implant procedure.
Reno Tahoe Oral Surgery & Implant Center now utilizes the new X-Guide™ Dynamic 3D Navigation System from X-Nav Technologies. With X-Guide™, implant procedures result in less post-op discomfort, faster recovery, and a smile that functions just as great as it looks.
The X-Guide system elevates our surgeons' control and precision throughout the entire implant process, including during virtual planning and the placement itself. Think of it like a GPS for the surgeon’s drill. X-Guide utilizes a 3D treatment plan to provide turn-by-turn guidance during surgery, giving the doctor the ability to make precise movements for more exact drilling of the implant's intended slot. With the X-Guide system in our dental practice, same-day guided surgery is now a reality for more patients. We have adopted the X-Guide so patients like you can receive implants that are functional, aesthetic, and optimally-placed based on your unique anatomy.
Consultation
Before your procedure, the surgeon will pre-plan the ideal implant location using X-Nav’s advanced software. Your mouth is unique, so by gaining a 3D view of your anatomy, our surgeons can map out the optimum drill path, obtain detailed nerve visualizations, and even “place” virtual teeth. This equates to smaller incisions, preservation of your tooth structure, and efficient use of your valuable time.
Procedure
During your surgery, the doctor will utilize a small, lightweight X-clip in your mouth that matches to your digital plan with a specialized, radiation-free camera system. This gives the doctor a 3D view of your jawbone, soft tissue, surrounding teeth, as well as the digital treatment plan to follow. The X-Guide navigation technology provides the surgeon with turn-by-turn guidance along the surgical path while they utilize a digital hand piece to perform drill movements.
Medical neurosurgery has been performed similarly for many years, but digital planning & navigation tools now make it even more precise. The X-Guide system allows our surgeons to make the most informed adjustments to account for your surrounding structures. This heightened accuracy results in less discomfort, and a strong foundation for a brilliant smile. If you’re looking for dental implants in Reno NV, chat with our friendly staff to book a consultation. We’re happy to guide you through the process!
Post-surgery, no matter how large or small the procedure was, is a vital step to recovering on time. Treating a dental implant is like treating regular teeth. It can take up to six months to fully heal, assuming that you treat them right from the start.
Our patients tend to ask us this question: do implants need extra care?
Taking care of your implants is not difficult and it really comes down to how much you take care of your mouth and gums. Immediately after the implant is placed, you probably won’t feel a lot of pain or discomfort thanks to numbing and sedation. Once it wears off, we highly recommend taking any prescribed pain medication or over-the-counter options like ibuprofen, acetaminophen or naproxen.
Other important tips to keep in mind during the oral surgery recovery phase include:
During the first five to seven days after surgery, stick to soft foods exclusively. Don’t eat spicy foods or drink hot liquids either, or even drink alcohol in the first few days.
The easiest soft foods to eat include yogurt, pudding, ice cream or milkshakes, and cooled down soups or purees. Some swelling is normal after oral surgery, but it increases two or three days after the procedure - contact your oral surgeon.
Dental implants don’t give you the ability to fully chew immediately, so there’s a lot of foods you need to avoid to stay healthy. This applies to not only hard and solid foods but also foods that are a challenge to chew, such as potato chips, raw carrots, and popcorn.
Dental implants are different from real teeth because they aren’t made of enamel or even the thin outer covering on a tooth. Implants can’t develop cavities, but they’re still susceptible to other dental conditions - including implant failure. Experiencing inflamed or swollen gums, chewing problems, pain, or discomfort can indicate that you’re practicing poor oral hygiene habits.
Brushing should be accompanied with flossing, since dental floss can reach those challenging places in your gum line. We recommend using floss threaders for your dental implant area. Just finish the cleaning routine with mouth rinse to strengthen the enamel of your natural teeth, and you’re on your way to feeling refreshed!
Save your teeth and put down the cigarette – it’s been proven that spending time with non-smokers, in addition to exercising, can reduce cravings and potential withdrawal symptoms.
Make sure to quit any bad habits that would lead to additional oral issues or impede on the healing process. After all, avoiding cigarettes will help with your general health, even if it’s not easy to quit smoking. In the long-term, it’s worth it because a buildup of tobacco on your mouth and teeth will worsen gum disease and periodontitis, leading to potentially higher dental implant prices and procedures.
Tooth extractions carry a small risk of complications like post-surgical infections or dry sockets, even if the latter does not occur from implant surgeries alone.
After a week or two, your implant should completely heal. It can have some tenderness but not any noticeable bleeding or pain. Other possible complications include an improperly placed implant which can cause infections.
Our team at Reno Tahoe Oral Surgery Dental Implant Center stresses that anytime you develop dental pain after surgery, it’s important to follow up with your dentist and oral surgeon to determine the cause. All in all, a tooth extraction is the best way to prevent infections and get back on track to better health.
It’s never a fun feeling to hear that you need a tooth pulled, but sometimes it’s best in order to prevent infections or worsening symptoms and get you back on track. Another stressor for many is the cost of visiting a healthcare provider.
Dental implant costs can vary from patient to patient. We make every effort to provide you with the finest care and convenient options after your tooth extraction and recovery. Feel free to call the offices here at Reno Tahoe Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center to ask about procedures, billing, or other questions about Reno implant prices.
Find Dental Implants Near Me In Reno NV
Dental problems can range from small issues like sore gums to requiring full-blown facial surgery. A dentist will typically perform dental exams and offer preventative care among other dental services. But for serious issues, such as impacted wisdom teeth, a trip to your regular dentist, unfortunately, won’t do you any good. Instead, you’ll need to see an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS).
It’s pretty normal for patients to first see their dentist when an oral problem arises. However, when the issue runs outside of the regular dentistry scope, it’s very likely that the patient will be referred to an OMS for treatment. The most common procedures performed by a Reno oral surgeon are wisdom teeth removal and dental implants. But is the oral surgery referral really necessary, or can anyone just schedule an appointment for surgery? Let’s take a look at this below.
Do I Need a Referral to See an Oral Surgeon in Reno?As with most surgical procedures, it can seem like a long process. Thankfully, you can contact an oral surgeon to get yourself scheduled. This is done for several reasons and will depend on the oral surgeon you see as well as your insurance policy. A majority of OMSs require a referral to provide the patient with quality continuity of care. Insurance companies often require referrals to ensure the patient’s coverage of services and will likely deny paying for things like wisdom teeth removal or dental implants without going through the proper procedures.
The steps to getting a referral from your dentist to see an oral surgeon are as follows:
The first thing you need to do to get a referral for oral surgery is to address your dental problems with your dentist. Bringing up your concerns will help your dentist determine if an oral surgeon needs to be involved and when it’s appropriate to make an appointment. The sooner you address your concerns, the sooner you and your dentist can find the best solution.
In doing so, your dentist will assess the severity of your dental problem and whether or not you’ll require surgery to renew your smile. A dentist will easily be able to determine if wisdom teeth extraction or getting dental implants will resolve your problems and will be happy to refer you to an oral surgeon to alleviate your concerns.
To find the best oral surgeon in Reno, talk to your dentist about the OMSs they recommend. An oral surgeon is a dental professional who has additional training in surgical techniques that allow them to perform reconstructive surgery on the face, oral cavities, head and neck, and mouth and jaw. Oral surgeons like Dr. Redlinger provide wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, bone grafting, and even pre-prosthetic surgery.
Your dentist will offer the best oral maxillofacial experts in Reno for your treatment, so you can trust that you’ll be in good hands.
Before booking your surgery with the first oral surgeon your dentist recommends, however, be sure to meet with them in person to ensure they’ll be a good fit for you. Many oral surgery practices are happy to offer a consultation prior to scheduling any surgery. Not only does this give them the chance to examine your mouth for themselves, but it helps you decide if they’re the right OMS for you.
Dr. Redlinger is a board-certified dental specialist that provides a full scope of oral surgery including dental implants to replace missing teeth, dental implants to support ill-fitting dentures, tooth extraction, bone grafts, and wisdom teeth surgeries.
Come meet Dr. Scott M. Redlinger DMD, MD Reno's expert Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon so he can develop the right treatment plan for you!
