Jaw alignment for an implant – What should be considered?
If a jaw augmentation has to be performed before implantation, this represents a lengthy therapy process. The bone graft must first grow in for at least six months after surgery before the implant can be placed. The implant has to grow in again for about half a year.
If the affected area is visible, the patient may have to bridge this waiting period with a temporary denture. It must also be noted that some medications and general illnesses make jaw augmentation and implantation difficult, if not impossible. An example of this is Parkinson’s disease medication, which has been proven to impede or even completely prevent the healing of transplants and implants. Immunosuppressants and drugs that influence bone metabolism, such as bisphosphonates, are also contraindications for surgery. Nor can the procedure be performed on patients with incomplete jaw growth, underage patients, or drug-dependent patients.
Pain with jawbone reconstruction
During jaw bone augmentation (jaw bone augmentation), no pain is to be expected due to the local elimination of pain in the area of the surgical site. Most patients report only a slight feeling of pressure during the insertion of the bone material. Following jaw bone augmentation, slight pain may occur, but this can be quickly relieved by careful cooling and the use of a light analgesic.
In this case, it is important to make sure that no painkillers that have a blood-thinning effect (e.g. Aspirin®; ASS) are taken. Blood-thinning analgesics increase the risk of secondary bleeding many times over. The pain should disappear almost completely within the first week after the jawbone reconstruction.
Nutrition for jawbone development
Within the first few days after a jawbone augmentation procedure has been performed, a few things should be taken into account in the diet. In order to avoid pain and excessive strain on the surgical site, the patient should refrain from eating foods that are too solid for the time being. Even food with hard edges should be removed from the diet for the time being.
After a jawbone reconstruction, the patient usually does not have to specifically avoid special foods. Experts still disagree on whether dairy products such as cheese or yogurt can be eaten without problems. Many dentists assume that the bacterial pathogens that exist in this type of food can have a negative influence on wound healing or even provoke infections.In order to strengthen the jawbone in the long term, patients should ensure a bone-friendly diet after successful surgery.
This means that certain vitamins and trace elements should be consumed in sufficient amounts. On the one hand, bone substance requires a balanced calcium balance, which can be maintained through a diet of milk and dairy products. In addition, the fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A and vitamin K) are essential for the jawbone. In order to mature healthy collagen, a diet rich in vitamin C should also be followed.
