Healing After Dental Implants – What To Expect As You Recover
Whether you’re already the proud new owner of a dental implant in Shirley, or you’re visiting Nashoba Valley Dental to get your implant in the near future, you may be wondering what to expect as you heal and recover. So in this blog, we’ll break down all of the details, and explain what you can expect from the process.
How Long Does It Take To Heal?
It usually takes about 1-2 weeks to heal from your initial surgery. However, this doesn’t mean you’re ready to get an implant restoration like a dental crown. After your initial healing is complete, the titanium implant will need to continue to bond with the jaw bone. This can take up to 3-6 weeks, and this process is called “osseointegration.”
So be patient. While you can get back to your normal routine after a few weeks, you’ll need to wait a bit longer to complete the implant treatment process.
What Can I Expect As I Recover?
That’s a great question! Let’s go over some of the things that you should expect after your initial implant placement.
- Bleeding – You’ll get a gauze pack to absorb blood, which should slow down within a few hours of your surgery. Some spotting and pink saliva are normal for up to 24-48 hours, but bleeding should stop by this time.
- Pain & discomfort – Overall, pain tends to peak and fade within 2-3 days of your surgery. Fill any prescriptions given to you by Dr. Annese, and take ibuprofen, naproxen, or similar OTC medications if you don’t have a prescription.
- Swelling & bruising – Swelling and bruising are normal when healing from a dental implant. Your face will look puffier than usual. Similar to pain, this usually peaks and fades after 2-3 days. Icing the cheek near the affected area can help with swelling and discomfort.
- Diet & lifestyle changes – You will need to eat a diet of mostly soft foods for at least a week after your treatment. For the first few days, stick to liquid foods like yogurt, smoothies, and ice cream. After this, you can move on to mashed potatoes, macaroni, and similar foods. You can mostly go back to your regular diet after a week, but should still avoid hard, tough, and crunchy foods for at least two weeks after your procedure.
You also should not use straws or spit forcefully for a few days after your procedure, since this can damage the blood clots around your implant. You must quit smoking for at least 2-3 months to get dental implants, too. Consider this as an opportunity to quit permanently!
- Oral care & hygiene – Do not brush the implant site directly for about 3-4 days after your treatment. Brush the rest of your teeth normally. You can use a prescription rinse or saltwater rinse to clean the extraction site.
Restore Your Smile With Dental Implants From Nashoba Valley Dental
Dr. Annesse is an expert implant dentist in Shirley, Groton, and Lunenburg. With his help, you can restore your missing teeth and get the smile you deserve. Dr. Annesse will ensure the best outcome for your case, and will provide you with a comprehensive set of recovery instructions to follow to protect your oral health after your surgery.
So don’t wait. Contact us online or give us a call at (978) 425-9088 to schedule a consultation and get the help you need. Dr. Annesse is always accepting new patients at Nashoba Valley Dental.
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