Healing After Dental Implants: What to Expect
Dental implants take a lot of patience in the first year, as your body heals, fuses the implant with the jawbone, and you take care of your oral health post-surgery. However, the somewhat lengthy procedure and aftercare are well worth it for the long-term tooth replacement you will get to enjoy for possibly the rest of your life. In this blog from White Dental Spa, we’re discussing what you can expect after undergoing a dental implant procedure.
How Long Will it Take for Me to Heal?
It typically takes about four weeks to heal from Dallas dental implant surgery, but this can be longer or shorter depending on your health, lifestyle, and how involved your procedure was. Smokers, diabetics, patients receiving multiple dental implants, and patients who required bone grafting surgery can all expect a longer road to recovery.
The real waiting game lies in the osseointegration process, which is when the titanium post that is implanted into your jaw becomes fully integrated with the jaw when the bone grows around the implant. Unlike initial healing time after surgery which is relatively fast, osseointegration will take 3-6 months.
However, once the process is complete, you will have a fully functioning tooth that acts just like your natural teeth. You can enjoy all your favorite foods with the comfort and security of an implanted tooth restoration.
What Post Surgery Symptoms Can I Expect?
Immediately after oral surgery, you can expect the following symptoms:
- Bleeding at the site of the implant for up to 72 hours
- Swelling
- Numbness for a few hours from local anesthesia
- Discomfort or pain at the implant site
The following are symptoms that you should not be experiencing after implant surgery and could be a sign of a complication or implant failure:
- Infection
- Receding gums
- Excessive bleeding lasting longer than 72 hours
- Loose or fractured implant
- Nerve/tissue damage or injury
Thankfully implant failure and infection are incredibly rare. Dental implants have a 95% success rate over 10 years.
How Do I Reduce Bleeding & Swelling?
Right after your implant surgery, you will be given gauze at the site of your implant to bite down on for about 30 to 60 minutes to stop the bleeding. If bleeding continues, replace it with fresh dampened gauze after cleaning out old clots with fresh water.
However, do not spit after implant surgery. When you need to dispel something in your mouth, lean over a sink and let it leak out instead of spitting. Suction such as sucking through a straw, inhaling such as smoking cigarettes or vaping, and spitting are all prohibited during your recovery.
This is because suction will dislodge your blood clots and increase your risk of developing a dry socket, which is very painful. If bleeding persists, instead of using gauze, you can try biting into a damp caffeinated tea bag that contains tannic acid.
This will help to promote blood clotting and stop excessive bleeding. However, if bleeding is severe or lasts for longer than 72 hours, contact your Dallas dentist right away, as this could be a sign of a serious dental emergency.
How Do I Care for My Dental Implants?
While you are still healing, you will need to stick to soft foods and chew on the opposite side of your mouth. However, once you are fully healed, you are free to eat whatever you want and use the implant just like a real tooth.
Cleaning and maintenance are the same as for your natural teeth, just brushing twice a day and flossing as well as attending regular dental appointments. In the meantime, you can elevate your head at night to reduce swelling and use a cold compress to relieve facial swelling. Do not smoke, eat chewy or hard food, drink alcohol or hot beverages, and abstain from strenuous activity while healing.
Implant Dentistry at White Dental Spa
Are you interested in getting dental implants? First, we need to make sure you have adequate oral health and a strong jaw by performing an oral exam. To find out if dental implants are right for you, contact us at (214) 484-1064 to schedule a consultation online with Dr. E-Jan Tung or Dr. Quinn Liu at White Dental Spa today.