Healing After Dental Implants: What To Expect

While a dental implant is considered a serious surgical procedure, most people might be surprised to find out the process itself is really straightforward. After getting the metal root implanted into the bone, people will usually require a 6-month healing window until the process can move along, and they can get the dental crown attached.

However, it doesn’t mean you should expect 6 months of pain and discomfort. If you’re thinking about getting dental implants, here is everything you can expect during the healing process.

A Healing Timeline for Dental Implants

Dental implants are done under anesthesia, so it’s very likely you will feel no pain in the first few hours after getting the procedure. However, as the anesthetic wears off, it’s likely to feel some pain and even notice a bit of bleeding, especially in the first 1-2 days.

Here is a rough timeline of how a dental implant heals, and the symptoms you can expect:

• First Day – You can experience swelling, pain, and a bit of bleeding during the first day. Your dental surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to care for a dental implant during healing, such as not brushing directly on the site, or eating soft foods that don’t require lots of chewing.
• 1 Week Post-Op – Some discomfort and even traces of blood can still be present, but much lower in intensity. You may still have to be mindful with your brushing technique over the implant site, and chew your food on the other side of your mouth.
• 2 Weeks Post-Op – At this point, both the bone and gum tissues are healing around the implant, and you should feel no more discomfort.
• 4th-6th Month – By this point, your tissues should be fully healed, and you should not encounter any issues in the previous months, such as swelling, pain, or bleeding.

Factors That Can Impact the Dental Implant Healing Timeline

Every person is unique, so the healing timeline following a dental implant can greatly differ from patient to patient. Some factors that can delay healing can include:

• The patient’s health
• Lifestyle choices (such as smoking)
• Poor oral hygiene
• Diet
• Complications of the procedure

It’s important to monitor your dental implant closely and contact your dentist right away if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Severe pain, especially if it starts a few days after the surgery
• Profuse bleeding
• Fever
• Numbness or tingling in your jaw, cheeks, or mouth, especially near the implant site
• Gum recession, etc.

Interested in Dental Implants? Digital Dental Studio in Dedham Can Help

If you’re wondering if you are a good candidate for dental implants, we at Digital Dental Studio would be happy to assist you, and provide the best recommendation to replace missing teeth and improve your dental health!

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Anna Vishart online, or call us directly at (781) 471-7934 today.

For more dental implant recovery information check the following resources:

How long does it take to recover from dental implants

A complete guide for eating after dental implants