At Radiance Dentistry here in Irving, we are pleased to help patients who are missing teeth achieve a beautiful and fully functional smile again. This is often achieved through the use of dental implants, which are artificial tooth roots surgically placed in the bone and gum tissues. Dental implants are able to support a crown, a bridge, or a denture when a patient is missing teeth.
We get many questions about the healing process required to get dental implants. Let’s take a moment to go over some of the basics of recovery.
WHAT TO EXPECT IMMEDIATELY AFTER SURGERY
Following your oral surgery, it’s no uncommon to feel groggy or tired from the effects of anesthetic. This will wear off over the course of the day. You’ll also note discomfort or soreness, which is normal. Patients should get ample rest after the procedure, resting with their back and head propped up by pillows to avoid lying down flat.
EARLY SIDE EFFECTS AND HOW TO MANAGE THEM
The most common early side effects experienced after the oral surgery are soreness and swelling around the lips and cheeks. Any pain you experience can be addressed by taking the recommended medications. Both swelling and soreness can be addressed by applying a cold compress to the affected area of the face as directed by your oral surgeon. Pain and swelling will gradually abate as you continue to recover.
It’s not uncommon for patient to experience minor bleeding from the mouth. If there is serious or steady bleeding from the mouth, be sure to contact your oral surgeon for further instructions.
ACTIVITIES TO AVOID AFTER THE ORAL SURGERY
After oral surgery, patients are advised to avoid strenuous physical activities until they are advised otherwise by their surgeon. Smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco should be avoided until the end of the implant dentistry process as this can cause serious damage to the gum tissue and increase the risk of infection.
Patients will be asked to avoid the use of drinking straws for several weeks. The suction created by the drinking straw can cause the blood clot in the incision site to come loose, and can also affect any sutures that are in place.
YOUR DIET AFTER ORAL SURGERY
After oral surgery, patients should eat a diet of soft foods that are lukewarm, avoiding the dental implant/tooth gap when possible. Avoiding spicy foods or foods with crumbs is a great idea in the first week or so of healing as this will prevent irritation and other issues with the tender gum tissue.
WHAT IS OSSEOINTEGRATION?
Osseointegration is a process in which a foreign object such as a dental implant fuses with the living tissue of the body. In this case, the dental implant would fuse with the jawbone and gum tissue.
WHY OSSEOINTEGRATION IS CRUCIAL FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS TREATMENT
This fusion of the implant and the gum and bone tissue is very important for effective implant dentistry. If the fusion does not occur, the dental implant will not be stable enough to support a crown, bridge, or denture. The dental appliance cannot be worn and used until osseointegration is completed.
HOW LONG DOES OSSEOINTEGRATION TAKE?
This varies from patient to patient, but it can take up to seven months or more. Sometimes less time is required for full recovery and osseointegration.
ATTEND ALL FOLLOW-UPS WITH YOUR DENTIST
During your recovery, you will have several follow-up visits with your dentist to monitor the progress of your healing. This will also help determine how much longer your recovery requires for osseointegration to be completed. Be sure to attend all of these follow-ups as they occur.
LEARN MORE ABOUT IMPLANT DENTISTRY
If you would like to learn more about dental implants and how they can help you have a healthy and beautiful smile, be sure to contact our advanced dental care center today. The entire team here at Radiance Dentistry looks forward to your visit and helping you achieve optimal dental health and wellness.