How long does it take to recover from dental implants: a guide

One of the most intimidating aspects of receiving dental implants is knowing what to expect in the hours, days, and weeks following the procedure. Although it might seem scary to walk into our office and leave with a brand new smile, most patients enjoy a simple recovery with less downtime than they think. Here is what to expect after dental implant surgery and a few tips to help you to speed recovery.

When can I resume regular activity?

Since recovery is different for everyone, you may not have enough energy to return to your normal activities right after surgery. But if you’re feeling up to it, you may be able to return to work on the very same day.

However, we do recommend that you rest at least 48 hours after your surgery as this helps with the healing process and limits after surgery bleeding. Stick with soft foods and liquids for a few days, and you will find the process going a lot better for you. Beyond that, do what you feel comfortable doing.

Since the dental implant process is over the course of several months, it’s best to have Dr. Vishart monitor your progress. But once you complete the healing period of at least 6 months, normal activities can be enjoyed with full confidence.

What Are Some Important Dental Implant Recovery Tips?

After undergoing dental implant surgery, you can get a brand-new start with new dental restorations. After your surgery, the recovery period is not as bad as many people think it is, even if some find the 6-month healing process intimidating.

To make your recovery even faster and easier, here are some tips to help you after your surgery:

Cold compresses – Bruising and swelling are common place following implant surgery although this varies greatly from one person to another. Cold compresses can help manage the situation and also help reduce pain and discomfort.

Take your antibiotics – You’ll be prescribed antibiotics to prevent infections and improve the acceptance rate of your implant. Take the full course, as prescribed.

Adjust your diet – Following surgery it’s important that you stick to soft foods that won’t get lodged in any gaps or sutures. Foods such as apple sauce, soup, eggs, and mashed potato which require very little chewing are ideal. You can gradually introduce harder foods as your body heals, but a soft food diet for the first weeks is essential.

Brush thoroughly and floss daily – In the 24 hours following your surgery, you’re likely to have too much swelling and pain to be able to brush or floss, but as soon as you are able, it’s important to continue your daily oral hygiene routine. Maintaining a healthy mouth by brushing twice a day, and flossing daily, is always important, but it’s even more important when you’re caring for dental implants.

Exercise is important, but it can wait – Exceeding yourself can cause excess bleeding. Wait a few days to pick up your exercise routine to ensure the safety of your incision.

Make healthy lifestyle choices – Drinking alcohol and smoking can dry out your mouth and reduce your blood flow, interfering with the healing process.

Dental Checkups – Even if you do all of the things listed above perfectly, it still will not exempt you from making that all-important six-month visit to your dentist for a check-up. They are important because from time to time implants do fail. At your first six month visit following the installation of your dental implants, your dentist will check for bone loss. The health of your gums will also be checked and special equipment will be used to clean your implant.

Implants and smoking.

It is common knowledge that smoking is bad for your health, and for oral health even more so. Smoking could affect the success of your dental implants because nicotine lowers blood oxygenation and slows blood flow and healing, which are three important components to recovering after dental implant surgery.

It is possible to be a smoker and still get dental implants. However, the best advice we can give you is to stop smoking all together. Or even if you wait until after you have fully healed, smoking still can impact the success of your dental implant treatment, and even lead to implant failure.

If you are a smoker and wish to undergo dental implant surgery, you will need to commit to not smoking for at least one week prior to surgery and up to two months after your implants have been placed. We also recommend brushing and rinsing your mouth at least twice a day to minimize some of the damage. Finally, be sure to visit us for regular cleanings and dental exams.

How do I take care of my dental implants after they are healed?

Dental implants provide a permanent solution for people who have lost teeth. They fully restore your ability to eat, talk, smile, and fully enjoy life again.

They can also last for decades before they need to be repaired or replaced, but it is essential to care for them properly. Just like your natural teeth, problems can arise if you neglect to care for your implants.

Remember to take proper home care and practice good oral hygiene:

• Carefully brush twice a day
• Floss with tape or use a water flosser
• Rise twice a day with mouthwash
• Visit us regularly for dental exams and cleanings.

There is no guarantee that your dental implants will last forever, however, when they are properly placed and looked after, they can last a lifetime.

At Digital Dental Studio, we strive to help our patients achieve the smiles of their dreams. If you are considering dental implant surgery, we will work with you to help you understand both the surgical procedure itself and the steps that must be taken afterward to ensure your recovery is as successful as possible. To learn more, schedule an appointment today.