Dental implants are considered one of the best ways to replace missing teeth because of the many advantages they provide. Of all the treatment options, they’re the only one that is inserted directly into your jawbone to function as a standalone structure. As a result, they tend to be stronger and last longer than alternatives like dental bridges or dentures.
You may already be aware that there’s a lengthy recovery process after your implant procedure for your mouth to fully heal. Did you know, though, that you can potentially speed it along by ensuring that you get enough vitamin D? Keep reading to learn more about how it helps and how you can boost your levels!
What’s Involved in Dental Implant Recovery?
During your surgical procedure, your dentist will place a support rod, usually made of titanium, into the socket of your missing tooth. Then, before it can be capped with a dental crown, your mouth must heal. It can take anywhere from 3-6 or more months to fully recover because your jawbone must fuse with the metal pole in a process called osseointegration. If your restoration doesn’t successfully merge with the bone tissue, then it’s more likely to fail.
How Does Vitamin D Support Dental Implants?
Vitamin D is a key ingredient that helps your body in a few different ways. It lowers the chances of developing certain conditions like multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. More importantly for your teeth, it also builds and maintains new bone growth because it allows your body to absorb calcium and phosphorus from the foods you eat.
A vitamin D deficiency could hinder your implant recovery because your body will have a harder time creating sufficient bone growth to properly fuse with the support rod.
How Do I Get More Vitamin D?
A simple blood test can identify whether you have appropriate levels of vitamin D and if your dentist determines that you’re deficient, don’t lose hope! It’s not hard to increase your intake because this ingredient is created naturally with exposure to sunlight. You can get the amount you need by spending about 20 minutes in the sunshine during peak hours. If there’s bad weather or you can’t get outside for whatever reason, you can also obtain vitamin D by eating fatty fish, egg yolks, and other foods that are fortified with it like milk and some brands of cereal. It’s also available as a supplement in pill form.
Thankfully, it’s easy to increase your vitamin D levels so that you can have a swift and seamless dental implant recovery!
About the Practice
At Capron Park Dental, people of all ages benefit from several dentists who offer a full array of oral health services to meet even the most complex dental needs, including dental implants. They can complete each step of the process using state-of-the-art equipment so that you don’t have to find an additional provider for surgery. Their dedication to excellence has earned them several accreditations and certifications so you can trust that you’re in good hands throughout your procedure. If you’re interested in dental implants and would like to schedule a consultation, you’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (508) 222-5950.