How Long Does Recovery Take After Dental Implant Surgery?

Are you missing one or more teeth and are tired of dentures? If so, you should learn more about dental implants. At first glance, dental implant surgery can seem time-consuming and complicated. However, it has an impressive success rate of 95 percent, and recovery is usually straightforward. The side effects and recovery time will depend on various factors. These include the number of implants, length of surgery, and dental health.

What Are Dental Implants?

Tooth implants are permanent alternatives to dental bridges and dentures. Dental implants are artificial roots surgically embedded into the jawbone to hold prosthetic teeth or bridges. However, most people think about the combination of the implant and prosthetic tooth when they use the term dental implant.

A missing tooth can weaken your jawbone. Since the implant sits in the jaw, it gives the jawbone something to grow around, leading to osseointegration. Once complete, this process will firmly integrate the dental implant into the jaw, creating a firm anchor for artificeal teeth.

Recovery Process

Since dental implants can last a lifetime, they are the best way to replace missing teeth. However, the comfort and stability they provide come with a price. The recovery time after dental implant surgery is one of the most protracted oral procedures, especially if it involves a bone graft. Still, dental professionals believe the two-week recovery period and six-month healing time are well worth the years of enjoyment they offer.

First Phase of Recovery

Immediately after the procedure to place the implant post, you will likely experience some tingling and mild pain. You may also experience minor bleeding, swelling, bruising, and soreness in the first 24 hours. Blurred vision, nausea, and dizziness can happen, but these symptoms are rare. Your symptoms should improve gradually. Pain medication can relieve acute pain and help transition you into recovery.

At first, you will want to take things easy. Avoid strenuous activity and rest as much as possible for the first three days or until you no longer need pain medication. Eat soft foods and avoid excessively spicy and hot foods as they irritate the treatment site. It would be best to avoid alcohol and cigarettes since they can interfere with the healing process and increase your risk of infection.

The Waiting Period

After the initial procedure and recovery, it would still help to give your jawbone adequate time to fuse to the implant. Based on bone quality and quantity, that can take anywhere from three to six months. Your dentist will monitor your progress regularly to test your implant’s stability.

Second Phase of Recovery

Your dentist will make an incision in your gum over the post to place the abutment. He/she will apply a local anesthetic beforehand. You may experience the same side effects of anesthesia. The pain and soreness you experience should disappear within two weeks. In the meantime, you should return to eating soft foods before resuming your complete diet.

After about two weeks, you will return to your dentist for the permanent crown placement. This process does not involve incisions, so you will not have unique eating or oral care instructions.

Conclusion

Dental implants are permanent, so you should treat them as lovingly as your natural teeth. That means maintaining excellent dental hygiene habits and seeing your dentist regularly. That will minimize the wear and tear on the implant and ensure the health of the surrounding gum.

For more on dental implants, call Progressive Dental & Associates in Matteson, Illinois. Call 708-980-0110 to schedule an appointment today.

How Long Does Recovery Take After Dental Implant Surgery?