How Long is the Recovery Process for Implants? Dental implants involve surgery, and just like many other surgeries, there is a recovery process. At Rai Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, we want you to recover quickly and get your bite function in order again. Understanding the recovery process for dental implants is important. You must remain patient and take care that healing continues with no delays or complications arising. Fortunately, with the post-op care instructions that our dental implant dentist provides you, you can experience a smooth recovery.What Does Implant Surgery Involve?Placing dental implants involves affixing an implant post, usually crafted of titanium or zirconia, into the jaw. It is a surgical procedure that requires the dentist to fasten the implant post through the gums into the jaw. After the surgery, you will have a recovery period lasting several months. The number of implant posts varies based on whether you are receiving a single-tooth implant or you are scheduled for a multiple-tooth implant procedure. What Happens During the Recovery?During recovery, your bone will fuse with the implant metal. In the recovery process, the implants osseointegrate, meaning the metal post and the jawbone bond together and become one. As such, they form a strong foundation for the replacement teeth. It is only after the healing of the implant post that a patient receives their replacement tooth, which may be a crown, denture, or dental bridge. How to Ensure a Smooth RecoveryTo make your recovery process smooth and complication-free, you should adhere to a number of recommendations. First, you should make sure you are not doing anything that brings unnecessary stress to the healing implant. Avoid eating crunchy, hard, or extremely chewy foods. Consider soft foods that do not require heavy chewing. This way, you lessen the pressure or stress you put on the implant and allow it to heal successfully. Further, clean your mouth and the implants carefully and gently. Using a soft toothbrush helps avoid tearing the gum tissue that is healing. A mouthwash rinse gets rid of dental plaque, bacteria, and leftovers or deposits that could ruin the health of the implant, remaining teeth, and gum tissue. When cleaning around the implants, ensure you reach the surrounding gum tissue very gently. Water-based flossers or irrigators are recommended because they can spray and dislodge any leftovers or food particles stuck between the gum tissue and implant without harming the soft tissue. Regular checkups with our dentist is crucial to ensure the implant and the mouth in its entirety are inspected for any potential issues like gum disease, loose implants, cavities on surrounding teeth, wearing down of the replacement teeth crowns, and other issues. What is the Recovery Period?Your mouth will recover from implant placement in about three to six months, but every case is different. Some patients recover quickly, while others take longer. Your wound healing ability and the care you give to the healing implant site will dictate the duration taken. Visit us at Rai Oral Surgery & Dental Implants to learn more about tooth implants and what to expect during and after the surgery. Give us a call at (757) 777-9883 to schedule an appointment. |
