How to Prepare Your Body for Successful Implant Treatment

Supplements, Vitamins, and Homeopathies Promoting Bone Growth and Wound Healing 

Most of us know that vitamins keep us healthy, and many have a special role to play; but beyond that, what do vitamins do, and why do we really need them? Get all the essential facts on how to prepare your body for successful implant treatment below! 

Vitamins - D3, Magnesium, K2, and zinc, all play an important role in preparing t he jawbone and increasing the success of any implant or grafting surgery.  

Vitamin D3 has numerous benefits – it helps with better production of bone after implant and grafting surgery. It reduces the chances of infection and inflammation through supporting anti-inflammatory immune system activities. 

Some experts recommend that the system should be shored up with up to 7000iu of Vitamin D3 for at least one month prior to any surgery. It is essential to consider advice from your Medical GP or a Functional Medical Practitioner prior to any self -supplementation to ensure that this does not affect any pre-existing medical conditions or medication that you may be taking. 

Some foods contain ingredients that can trigger or worsen inflammation. Processed or sugary foods may do this, while fresh, whole foods are less likely to have this effect. Low carbohydrate and high fibre diets help with reduced inflammation and increased antioxidants. 

One day before and for the following two weeks consider the following, to assist wound healing: 

Anti-inflammatories such as Ibuprofen 400mg, three times daily, one day before surgery and one tablet before treatment (provided no history of asthma). Continue taking Ibuprofen 400mg for up to 4 days.

Arnica tablets/drops –used for treating paining, bruising, bleeding, swelling. 

Hypericum – anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, astringent properties -wound healing 

Calendula – anti-inflammatory, antibacterial (useful in wound healing). 

Propolis – anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial. 

Probiotics – helps with addressing the disruption in the gut bacteria caused by the antibiotics.  

Whilst these products are not normally advocated by Western Health Authorities, many people do use these products and find them to be very successful in supporting the healing process. 

Electrolyte Rich Water – It is recommended to sip 2 litres of water a day. This not only hydrates the body, but also helps to flush any toxins.

Laser Bio Stimulation – Laser light can be used to naturally accelerate the wound by healing, repairing, and speeding up the recovery process. 

Mouth Hygiene -It is essential to visit your hygienist at least one week prior to your surgery to help ensure that all localised gum inflammation has been addressed. If you suffer from gum disease (this may take longer to stabilise and so you may need to start up to three months before). Addressing the inflammation in your mouth/body also reduces the acidity in your body, which further enhances the effectiveness of the immune system and thereby the healing process. Currently the most effective and gold standard treatment to address this is GBT Therapy. 

After the surgery (not before), use non acidified Ester-C (1g vitamin C) to support the healing process. Taking vitamin C before the surgery can reduce the effectiveness of the local anaesthetic and is best avoid for obvious reasons! 

·       Avoid brushing or rinsing around surgical site as this may disturb the wound        and risk tearing the stitches. Do not pull at your cheek as this may disrupt the         wound healing.

·       For the first 48hrs maintain a cold, liquid diet (smoothies, frozen yogurts, fruit/vegetable uses) to ensure effective wound coagulation.

·       Up to 2 weeks maintain a soft diet(anything that can be squished between your fingers).

·       Use icepacks to control the swelling. For three hours – 10 mins on 5 mins off and repeat.

·       Sleep propped upright with two pillows or even in an armchair for the first 24 hours.

If you have further questions on how to prepare your body for successful implant treatment, send us an email reception@integrateddentalcare.com.

Schedule your appointment here! 

Schulze-Späte U, Dietrich T, Wu C, Wang K, Hasturk H, Dibart S. Systemic vitamin D supplementation and localbone formation after maxillary sinus augmentation – a randomized, double-blind,placebo-controlled clinical investigation.  

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Choukroun J, Khoury G, Khoury F, Russe P, Testori T,Komiyama Y, Sammartino G, Palacci P, Tunali M, Choukroun E. Two neglected biologic risk factors in bonegrafting and implantology: high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lowserum vitamin D. 

J Oral Implantol. 2014;40(1):110–4. doi:10.1563/AAID-JOI-D-13-00062 

Bryce G, MacBeth N. Vitamin D deficiency as a suspectedcausative factor in the failure of an immediately placed dental implant: a casereport.  

J R Nav Med Serv. 2014;100(3):328–32.  

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