Dental Implant Surgery: Recovery Period Tips

Dental implants may be one of the most effective, lifelike and long-lasting solutions available for missing teeth, and considered superior to the alternatives in virtually every way. However, the process to receive them is surgical in nature, and this means that patients who opt for dental implants should be prepared for both the surgery itself and an acute recovery period during which it is essential that they follow the instructions of their surgeon to ensure the best outcome from their treatment.
 

The dental implant procedure is carried out using a local anesthetic, and you may be eligible for sedation to help keep you calm and comfortable throughout the process. In some cases, it may be possible to have dental implants placed under general anesthetic. The locations of each implant post will be pre-determined, and these will be placed into the jawbone through holes drilled through the gums and into the bone. Unsurprisingly, it is the invasiveness of this element of the process that necessitates the need for a recovery period.

To help to minimize your risk of post-dental implant surgery complications and ensure you make a swift and comfortable recovery, here are our top tips.
 

Don’t smoke

One of the first things that your dental implant surgeon will have likely said to you is to avoid smoking, particularly in the period following your implant surgery. Smoking drastically increases healing times and the risk of complications occurring. This can increase the failure rate of dental implants.

Don’t be tempted to look at your sutures

It can be very tempting to try and pull up on your lips to look at your sutures and mouth, but this isn’t recommended. Not only could you have bacteria on your fingers that you then transfer onto the gums, putting you at risk of infections, but you could also inadvertently do damage to them or your gum tissue.

Follow the food guidance given to you

Initially, your dentist will recommend that you are put on a diet of pureed or finely-chopped foods to make eating easier. Eating anything too hard could cause damage to your jaw and sutures. It is essential that you follow any food guidance given to you by your surgeon to minimize your risk of damage or complications.

Take your pain medication as directed

You should expect some discomfort following your procedure and you will be able to take pain medication to help you to manage this. It is important that you take any pain medication as recommended by your surgeon to ensure maximum impact and to prevent this discomfort from affecting the healing process.

Don’t use a straw

Drinking through a straw should be avoided after a range of dental procedures, including dental implants. This is because doing so creates a vacuum in your mouth that could dislodge any blood clots that have formed as part of the healing process.

How long should the recovery from dental implant surgery take?

Typically, patients can expect it to take around a week for their symptoms to subside. However, every patient is unique and recovery rates can vary a little based on different factors, such as how many implants they have had.

Don’t be afraid to speak to the professionals

If you have any concerns during your recovery period, your dental implant surgical care team should be on hand to answer any questions that you have. Don’t hesitate to contact them if you need to.

For more information about dental implants, or to schedule a consultation to see if you are a suitable candidate for the procedure, please contact our experienced dental team today.