Getting a dental implant is a process that requires several steps over a period of time. In the early stages of this procedure, your dentist will mount a post to your jawbone, and you'll then need to wait for the bone to grow around the base of the post. During this time, you'll see the other end of the post coming out of your gum; eventually, the implant will be mounted to this end of the post, and you'll have a new smile. It's important to keep an eye on the part of the post that you can see and to quickly consult your dentist if you notice any issues. Here are three issues that are rare, but for which you should watch.

Inflammation

The dentist has to make an incision in your gum to mount the implant post to your jawbone, so you can expect the gum around the post to appear a little inflamed and sore soon after the procedure. These issues should go away quickly, however, which is an indicator that everything is proceeding properly. You should monitor this area for any signs of inflammation. For example, if the gum appears red and puffy, this can often be a clue that an infection is present. You'll want to call your dentist to set up an appointment to check this issue.

Loose Post

In extremely care cases, you could notice that the implant post has loosened a bit. This is an indicator that it does not have a firm fit in the jawbone, and thus requires quick attention from your dentist. You shouldn't assess the strength of your post by pushing on it, though. You need to leave it alone to allow things to proceed as intended. If you're aware of movement, however — even if the likelihood is small — you should act quickly.

Bleeding

Because of the incision in your gum that was necessary to put the post in place, there may be a bit of blood present as the wound heals. If you're concerned about more bleeding than you feel is appropriate, however, you'll want to consult your dentist and describe the issue over the phone. It's possible that one of your stitches has come loose before the wound has fully healed, and this can often be the culprit for a bleeding issue. Your dentist will be able to evaluate the situation and add another stitch if necessary.

Contact a dental office like Smile City today for more information.