Dental implants have been utilized for years as a way to replace missing dentition in the mouth. Unlike other restorations, implants work on their own and don’t require surrounding teeth to be compromised or damaged. Most implants can last for decades without showing signs of damage or wear. This allows them to become a permanent part of your smile and a great way to improve your self-esteem. Implants are often used to replace just one missing tooth at a time, but multiple implants can be placed to hold a bridge or even denture in place.
How Long Will it Take to Heal After Implant Surgery?
In order to place your new dental implant, we’ll create an incision through the gums and implant the restoration deep into the bone. You will experience some pain, swelling and tenderness for the first few days following the procedure. This is your body’s normal response to trauma, so it’s to be expected and shouldn’t be anything to worry about. Keep in mind that patients heal differently. One person may be pain-free and comfortable in two or three days following implant surgery while another person still has some discomfort and swelling a week or two later. The key to helping the implant and surgical site to heal correctly is to keep it clean. If you fail to keep the area clean, bacteria can infiltrate the wound and cause an infection. This can have an impact on how your implant heals and functions in the future. The implant itself will fuse naturally with the bone in anywhere from three to nine months, again depending on the unique individual and their ability to heal.
Important Post-Operative Instructions
It’s a good idea to avoid smoking, drinking alcohol and drinking hot beverages for a few days following surgery. All of these habits can contribute to post-operative complications and the inability for you to heal fully. If you’ve been provided with an oral rinse, you should use this according to the instructions as a way to keep your mouth clean and free of bacteria. If you experience severe swelling, pain and tenderness days, weeks or even months after the procedure, it’s a good idea to come in for an exam. While pain and swelling are normal following surgery, it should not be severe enough to affect your daily life.
If you’re interested in learning more about dental implants as well as our office’s hours, call us today so that our staff members can further assist you.
