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3 Things You Should Know About the Dental Implants Recovery Period

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Dental implants are highly effective in replacing missing teeth. But it takes time to get successful results. What should you expect as you recover?

1. Do’s and Don’ts

Do

  • Take ibuprofen for pain three times a day for three to four days.
  • Take anti-nausea or antibiotics as prescribed.
  • Sleep with your head elevated for three to four days to minimize swelling and pain.
  • Put gauze over the dental implant surgical site and apply pressure to minimize any bleeding. Report excessive bleeding that persists for longer than 30 minutes.
  • Minimize swelling by applying ice (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) to the side of your face near the surgical site.
  • Eat soft, room temperature or cold foods.
  • Begin gently rinsing your mouth with warm salt water the day after surgery. Rinse every two to three hours for the first three days. For the following two weeks, rinse after meals and at bedtime.
  • Resume any prescription medications that you regularly take, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
  • Keep your follow-up appointments to monitor your implants, teeth, and gums.

Don’t

  • Don’t exercise strenuously for the first few days after dental implant surgery.
  • Avoid brushing or floss your teeth in the area of the surgical site.
  • Avoid eating crunchy or chewy foods.
  • Don’t drink alcohol for at least 72 hours after implant surgery. It restricts blood flow and inhibits healing.
  • Don’t suck liquids through a straw. It increases bleeding and can dislodge the blood clot
  • Avoid smoking because it restricts your blood flow and slows down the healing process.
  • Don’t touch the surgical site or sutures.

2. Healing Time

Healing time includes implant surgery and bone grafting if needed.

Bone grafting

If you receive bone grafts, it will take 4 to 12months for the bone to heal and develop before you can receive dental implants. Adequate bone is needed to support implants and provide a successful outcome.

Implant surgery

It takes three to four months for your implant and jawbone to fuse. Meanwhile, you can wear a temporary crown.

Diagram of dental implant phases, including 1) implant insertion in bone, 2) healing process, 3) abutment attachment, 4) crown attachment.

Dental implant phases

3. Permanent Teeth

After your dental implant fuses to your jawbone, a permanent dental crown will be attached to the abutment, or connector, that is placed between the implant and crown. At times, prematurely loading an implant fixture with a crown can put too much stress on it and interfere with the healing process.

Each person’s biology is different, so don’t try to rush the healing process. Allow your dentist time to ensure healing is complete so you’ll have long-lasting implants that won’t fail and need to be redone.

Michael Szarek, DMD of Lowell, MA sponsors this post.

My dentist told me to back off of booze so I won’t need dental implants

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My dentist told me to back off of booze. I have some perio issues with loose teeth and she said that my drinking habits can be a contributing factor. Yes she told, not asked me to cut back on booze. I was almost going to be insulted but I figured if she is right, she is saving me money on dentures or dental implants. Then the thought occurred to me that she might have just been getting to try me to stop drinking so much because a few times she asked me if she smelled alcohol on my breath. Does alcohol have anything to do with gum disease? Thanks. Ron

 

Ron – Your dentist is looking out for your best interests. A recent (September 2015) article in the Journal of Periodontology Online, Alcohol Consumption and Periodontitis: Quantification of Periodontal Pathogens and Cytokines, reports the findings in a study that included non-drinkers, occasional drinkers, and regular drinkers.

Among regular drinkers, there were more instances of sensitive gums that bleed easily, and the need for periodontal (gum) disease care. Another symptom of periodontal disease is that gums start to pull away from the teeth, forming pockets between the gums and teeth. Even regular drinkers without periodontal disease exhibited deeper pockets than occasional drinkers and non-drinkers.

Why the difference between regular drinkers and occasional or non-drinkers? Alcohol consumption dries the mouth. A dry mouth contributes to plaque buildup, which inflames the gum tissue. Sensitive, inflamed gums bleed, and if left untreated, can separate from the teeth and in time result in full-blown gum disease.

If gums don’t properly adhere to your teeth, the teeth lack support and can loosen. Left untreated, loose teeth will eventually fall out, and yes, some form of tooth replacement, perhaps dental implants, will be recommended.

If you are a regular alcohol drinker, your dentist’s recommendation is correct. Consuming less alcohol can improve the situation.

It’s important for all patients to speak openly about their drinking habits with their dentist. This will help your dentist correctly advise you and assist you with preventive dental care and help you avoid the need for tooth replacement.

This post is sponsored by Lowell dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.