How Dental Implant Recoveries Work

Everyone wants complete and beautiful teeth; however, trauma and diseases happen, some people lose a tooth. And dental implant surgery is one of the best dental surgeries to replace missing teeth. You can feel both excitement and anxiety as your surgery approaches. It’s normal that you will feel nervous about the dental implant procedure pain or how long it would take to heal. Osseointegration usually takes between three and six months in most situations. Understandably, some individuals may be reluctant about the length of time to heal following dental implant surgery.
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The recovery period differs from person to person. With a simple dental implant placement that requires little to no bone grafting, you can expect post-operative pain and edema are minimal to non-existent. Keep on reading to know more about dental implant recovery!

What Is A Dental Implant Surgery?

Dental implant surgery is advisable for those with missing or damaged teeth as this procedure replaces the tooth roots with artificial teeth. For those who cannot have dentures or bridgework constructed due to the lack of natural tooth roots, getting a dental implant could work for you.

Dentists install a dental implant metal post in your jawbone to support fixed bridges, crowns, or dentures that are permanently attached to your teeth. Once the dental implant is in your bone, the dentist attaches a piece called an abutment to it. This piece is used to attach the artificial tooth or teeth.

The primary benefit of implants is that they provide a strong foundation for your new teeth. Your bone must first mend securely around the implant for this to work. The complete procedure might take many months since bone healing requires time.

What To Expect

In most cases, dental implant surgery is conducted as an outpatient procedure, with time between surgeries for recovery. The entire process can take months to complete. The first few months are devoted to healing and bone growth in your jaw. Dentists can combine some steps depending on the situation or the specific procedure, but here are the steps involving the dental implant process:

• Damaged teeth removal
• Jawbones preparation (if needed)
• Dental implant placement
• Bone growth and bone healing
• Abutment placement
• Artificial tooth placement

In some cases, you may need bone grafting before having dental implant surgery due to a thin or soft jawbone. The bone graft is your implant’s solid base. Rebuilding a jawbone may be done using several types of bone graft materials. Depending on your situation, you may choose to use a natural bone graft, such as one taken from another part of your body, or a synthetic bone graft, such as a bone substitute that can give you support for the growth of new bone. You can ask your dentist which option works best for you.

How Long Does Recovery Take

Dentists get this question a lot since some patients have work or other commitments. On average, dental implant healing time could take up to 6 months. This allows for complete healing before the crown is set. Although, dental implant recovery time undoubtedly varies significantly across patients.

Here are some factors which can influence the healing process:

Osseointegration

To replace the tooth’s root portion, a dental implant is inserted into the bone. Osteointegration might take a few months after the implant is inserted. This surgical procedure permits the bone to fuse to the implant and is strong enough to hold a tooth in place. Typically, the process takes 2-4 months to complete. Once osseointegration has happened, the crown may be placed to the dental implant, and you can begin chewing on your favorite foods and using the implant without any problems.

Medication

Implant placement can be considered as a minor surgical procedure; thus, the recovery process could not take too long. Dentists usually require patients to take over-the-counter pain medication to alleviate any dental implant pain or discomfort. Ibuprofen is the most effective over-the-counter pain medication, and it is also a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine.

Typically, you can come back to your dentist about 14 days after your surgery.

Special Circumstances

The implant process may take longer for those who need extraction since the dentist will have to wait for the bone to grow before putting the implant back in the tooth. A bone graft is often placed in the tooth socket to keep the bone open. This makes it easier to put the implant in the future, so it will be easier to do so.

There are cases where the implants are placed on the same day; although this might speed up the healing time, you must note that not all patients are candidates for this.

Dental Implant Surgery Recovery FAQs

How long do I have to wait for the implant to take?

After initial healing, implants integrate (bind or fuse) with bone. However, this depends on the individual case as some implants can be loaded immediately, but more loading will be performed.

It would be best to visit your dentist from time to time to ensure that the dental implants heal properly.

Will I need a break from work?

You have to rest a lot, so it would be best to take some time off work. A day or two would be fine, just refrain from engaging in work commitments or any big social work after the treatment. Prevent throbbing and bleeding by limiting your activities the day before surgery. You should see your dentist if the bleeding persists.

Can I wear my dentures after the procedure?

No, you are not yet allowed to use dentures immediately after the treatment. After having implants placed, your dentist will provide you with detailed instructions on how to care for your denture or set of teeth.

Call Smile Fort Wayne to know more about the Dental Implant Recovery

Proper and excellent oral hygiene creates a big contribution to the healing process. Call the most reputable dentist in Fort Wayne to know more about dental implants and how they would benefit you. Smile Fort Wayne’s staff and dentists would be happy to see you happy with your beautiful teeth!
Call Our Office Today at (260) 432-0561