What to Expect After Dental Implant Surgery
Taking care of your oral health is one of the most important aspects of overall health maintenance. Not only do you have to ensure your teeth are cleaned daily, but your gums should also be protected. By not being aware of this, you may become susceptible to various health deteriorations.
Sometimes, it may lead to your teeth coming out for a particular reason. To rectify this issue and recreate your smile, dental implants may be the way to go. Dental implants can be seen as an oral prosthesis, which forms a base. After this base has been put into its respective position, a replacement tooth can be fitted into it.
Dental implants can also come in various forms, depending on your specific needs. Your dental surgeon may put in a fixed bridge, for example, or a full or partial denture. Each implant comes with its specific benefits and drawbacks. You should always consult a professional like Prosthodontic Associates for their advice before heading into an operation.
Getting dental implants is a very detailed operation, and you must be in good standing to undergo it. The recovery process is just as vital. Let’s learn what to expect after a dental implant surgery:
How long does a dental implant procedure take?
A dental implant procedure usually does not take very long. Some dental implant operations can be relatively simple, without the need for subsequent visits. On the other hand, your particular circumstances may require you to regularly check in with your dental surgeon. Some patients may have tricky situations, which necessitate multiple procedures.
In most cases, a dental implant procedure should take approximately one hour per implant. After everything has been wrapped up, you can begin to think about recovery. The healing process will also take some time, so you must be patient while waiting out the downtime.
Dental implant discomfort
One of the most common feelings to experience immediately after your procedure is a bit of discomfort. Although the operation itself can be relatively harmless, bleeding of the gums is expected. In addition, you may feel some bruising of your gums and the skin that surrounds it.
Short-term pain near the position of the implant should also be expected. These are, generally speaking, short-term issues that will fade away in less than twenty-four hours. If the discomfort leads to pain or lingers after one day, you should treat it with some over-the-counter medicine. Should the pain become unbearable, you’ll need to seek a health professional for care.
Dental implant care after surgery
Generally speaking, slight pain and discomfort are the two most common things to expect post-operation. However, dental implants can be relatively harmless just as long as you keep a few things in mind. To truly make the most out of your recovery journey, always follow your dentist’s instructions.
These individuals will be able to provide you with the best possible guidance. Sometimes, it will take a bit of saltwater rinse each day after the initial operation day. At other times, you may need to be prescribed medication to expedite the recovery process. When in doubt, follow the guidance!
No matter the extent of the operation, you will always need to keep your dentist up-to-date on your status. To make things easy on your end, schedule your follow-up appointments for two weeks post-operation. Or your dentist will require you to schedule a check-in much quicker. By doing this, you’ll be back to normal in a relatively quick fashion!
Dental implant recovery time
When it comes to actual recovery expectations, everyone’s circumstances will differ. As mentioned previously, your particular dental implant operation can impact your healing. For the most part, the less complicated the operation, the faster it will recover. The more complex it is, the longer the recovery time is to be expected.
Patients should take into account their various lifestyle choices as well. Contrary to popular opinion, these lifestyles can greatly impact its recovery time. For example, if you play sports at a rigorous level, your recovery time can dwindle, despite your intentions. Always stay on the safe side of things and play it safe!
What to eat after dental implant surgery
Of course, you’ll eventually have to get some food in your stomach. However, you shouldn’t aim to just eat your normal food sources, especially immediately after the operation. Solid foods should mostly be avoided for the short term.
Try your best to consume foods that are easy to consume overall, such as soup or instant oatmeal. Ensure that these foods are at a moderate temperature and not too cold or hot to taste!