Dental implants can help you regain your confidence, giving you the beautiful smile you once had. Although it requires a short and minimum invasive surgery, the result is well worth it in the end. Once your dental implant is inserted, your recovery process begins.
Implant recovery time is different for everyone, but it doesn’t have to be scary. If you understand what to expect during this time and how to manage the healing process, things will feel much more manageable. Here are 5 facts about the dental implant recovery process that may help ease your mind before undergoing this procedure.
1. Implants Take Time To Heal
Typically, it will take the implant to fully integrate into the bone between 3-6 months, on average 3 months on the lower jaw, and 4 months on the upper jaw. This is pretty universal in humans if they are healthy and have minimum health conditions Your dentist can give you an approximate time frame after examining your mouth and observing healing progress.
During the initial healing process, you may have to avoid certain foods and avoid harsh oral hygiene practices that may disrupt the healing. You may also experience initial discomfort, swelling, and tenderness in the area around the implant. Avoid activities that may cause irritation, such as smoking. This will help facilitate the healing process and reduce the amount of healing time.
Healthy habits can also help speed up the healing. Try to keep stress levels low, get plenty of rest, and maintain a balanced diet. There are many popular misconceptions about dental implants and the kind of food you need to include in your diet. But in general, dental experts recommend that you avoid alcohol and carbonated beverages and eat soft foods such as cooked/baked beans, fish, avocado, bananas, and healthy juice.
2. Dental Visits Will Continue For Some Time
At Lincoln Crossings Dental Care in North Huntingdon, PA your dentist will schedule follow-up visits during the healing process. The frequency of these appointments will depend on your specific situation and the amount of healing progress you’ve experienced.
During these visits, your dentist will check the healing progress of the implant site. They will also perform a cleaning and check your bite to make sure everything is healing as it should. It’s important to keep these appointments to ensure that healing is progressing as it should. Your dentist may also suggest slight changes to your dental routine to help facilitate healing.
3. You Must Maintain a Healthy Diet And Good Oral Hygiene During Recovery
During recovery you should practice good oral hygiene habits, like brushing your teeth with a soft brush and flossing. Continue to eat healthy, balanced meals and stay hydrated. This will help keep your mouth healthy during the healing process. You may also want to consider investing in an oral hygiene device, like a waterpik, to help maintain your good dental hygiene during this time.
4. Certain Activities Should Be Avoided
In the first few days post-surgery the mouth should be allowed to rest and heal before engaging in strenuous activities. This can help reduce the risk of bleeding and other complications. You can walk, do some light yoga, or stretch but should avoid lifting weights or doing intense training.
It is also advised to avoid chewing on the side of the mouth where the surgery was performed. This will give the mouth time to rest and heal. Your doctor will also recommend avoiding eating foods that are difficult to chew, such as crumpets, for the first few days after surgery.
Last Remarks
Dental implants are a safe, effective and permanent solution for missing teeth, and are recommended by many reputable dentists like Dr. Stryker. The procedure is not nearly as invasive as people think and recovery times are often very short and cause minimum impact to your daily routine. Take the necessary steps to ensure a successful recovery, and you will see your new dental implant in no time at all.
