So you have made the decision to transform your mouth with dental implant surgery. This life-changing dental procedure will give you beautiful, functional, and natural-looking teeth. Whether you need one or a mouth full, dental implant surgery is a step in the right direction.
You have likely heard how these implants can positively impact your life and your dentist has likely gone over the timeline and procedures with you - but what happens after the dental implant surgery? What can you expect?
Recovery Time
Recovery time will vary based on how many implants you are having or how many precautionary steps you take, such as following your dentist's instructions. Taking time off of school or work is usually not warranted after dental implant surgery, but you may want to consider taking a day if possible - just in case.
A few factors may impact the amount of recovery time you may need, such as the number of extracted and implanted teeth, the health of the bone, if bone grafting was required, and your body’s own ability to heal.
It is normal to experience some level of pain after dental implant surgery, however, the pain you experience is not enough to keep you from engaging in your normal day-to-day activities and should be gone within a few days post surgery.
Tips for a Speedy Recovery
If you want to move toward a speedy recovery, there are a few tips you can follow. Remember, the better care you take of the implant site and your oral health in general, the faster you will heal. You should always refer to the post operative instructions provided by your dental office.
Bite down on clean gauze for bleeding. Slight bleeding is common after any oral surgery. If you experience it, bite down firmly on the gauze for about 20-30 minutes and it should subside. Repeat if necessary with a clean piece of gauze.
Don’t touch the incision site. You may be tempted to touch the area with your finger or your tongue, but don’t. Leave it alone.
Avoid drinking out of straws. Don’t spit or smoke either. These actions can dislodge the blood clot that forms and can lead to more bleeding and a slower healing process.
Take over-the-counter pain medication. Should you have any discomfort, over-the-counter pain medication such as Advil should be all you need.
Avoid physical activity. You should plan on resting and taking it easy after your dental implant surgery.
Contact your dentist if something seems out of the ordinary, if the bleeding continues, the swelling doesn’t seem to be subsiding, or the pain seems unbearable.
Let’s Talk Dental Implants at Life Dental Specialties
If you are getting ready for dental implant surgery or are interested in dental implants but want to have an idea of how it all works, then you have come to the right place. Learn more about dental implants, the procedure and timeline, what to expect after, and more from Life Dental Specialties. Contact us at one of our convenient locations.