Dental implants are the most excellent way to replace lost teeth since they work, look, and feel just like natural pearly whites, so you’re probably quite excited if you’re scheduled to receive them. Dental implants are placed through a specialized process to ensure that they can fuse with the patient’s jawbone so they can exert superior chewing power and last for decades if they receive excellent care. Here’s a brief guide to what you should know about the recovery process after receiving dental implants.
Will My Mouth Hurt After Receiving Dental Implants?
The dental implant placement process is minimally invasive and rendered completely painless by local anesthetics, and some patients may benefit from receiving sedation treatments to ensure that they can stay calm and comfortable throughout the procedure. While you may experience some mild discomfort in the treatment area in the days after your procedure, this should be temporary and easy to manage with over-the-counter pain relievers. Most patients report that receiving a dental implant is much more comfortable than having a tooth extracted.
However, pain that worsens instead of getting better may be a sign of complications that can compromise your new implant such as infection. Contact your dentist if your pain persists or becomes more intense after several days.
When Will I Have My Next Procedure?
After having your dental implant placed, you’ll need to undergo another minor surgical procedure to position an abutment piece on top of it. This component serves to securely anchor your restoration to your implant and give it the leverage it needs to function just like a natural tooth. However, you’ll only be able to receive your abutment piece after your implant has had some time to fuse to your jawbone through the natural process of osseointegration. Accordingly, your abutment procedure will be scheduled a few months later.
How Can I Take Care of My Dental Implant While Recovering?
Adhering to your dentist’s aftercare instructions is the best way to ensure a smooth and comfortable recovery process after receiving a dental implant. These will probably include:
- Abstain from spitting or drinking through a straw for several days after receiving your implant, as these actions can disturb the blood clot forming over the surgical wound and lead to a severely painful condition called dry socket.
- Take special care when brushing and flossing around the implant to avoid irritating the healing tissues.
- Avoid chewing around the surgical site.
- Stick to mild, soft foods while recovering, as acidic, sugary, crunchy, or chewy foods can interfere with your healing process. A few excellent options include oatmeal, soup, pasta, steamed veggies, bananas, and smoothies.
Knowing how to care for your recently placed dental implant can set it up to serve you faithfully for decades. Consulting with your dentist can help you understand the best way to keep your new teeth in excellent shape.
About the Author
Dr. Bryan Friedland earned his dental degree at Nova Southeastern University and completed his General Practice Residency at Long Island Jewish Hospital in New York. He has completed many hours of postgraduate coursework in dental implantology and is a Certified Invisalign Provider. His office in Pembroke Pines offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dental implants. To learn more about the dental implant process, contact his office online or dial (954) 450-6640.