Dr. Kalil Abide believes that every phase of treatment is important to patient wellness and optimal results. This goes from the initial consultation and planning phase to the implementation of a treatment and the recovery period. People in and around Jackson can now smile with confidence thanks to this measured and carefully planned approach to dental wellness.
Dental implants are an excellent treatment option for missing teeth, though it’s a treatment option that is very dependent on proper planning and a good recovery process. We’d like to consider the latter right now in broad strokes.
What to Expect in the Early Days of Healing
In the early days of healing after dental implants surgery, patients can expect a fair amount of pain and discomfort. The area along the dental ridge where the implant posts were placed will be particularly sore. Bruising and swelling around that part of the mouth is not uncommon either. Tenderness around the treated area may persist as well.
Keep in mind that this is all part of the recovery process and that pain, discomfort, swelling, and discoloration will fade with time.
What to Avoid During Recovery
While you are recovering from dental implants surgery, there are a few activities that you should avoid. These include:
- Smoking
- Drinking alcoholic beverages
- Bending
- Heavy lifting
- Strenuous physical activities
- Using a drinking straw
- Exercise
Your oral surgeon will be able to provide you with guidelines and info about when you can resume the above activities.
Adapting Your Diet to Your Healing Experience
In the early stages of recovery, it’s important that you adapt your diet to your situation. This means eating soft foods so you do not have to chew a great deal and cause soreness in the process. Avoiding spicy foods or foods that are hot or cold in temperature is also important early on. Spicy foods can cause serious irritation, which foods that are hot or cold can lead to issues with sensitivity or soreness.
The Importance of Osseointegration
The most important aspect of healing after surgery is osseointegration. This is a process by which the dental implants fuse with the living tissues of the mouth, essentially becoming part of the patient’s mouth just as natural tooth roots. Without osseointegration, the dental implants will not be stable enough otherwise.
Osseointegration can take a few months to occur, which is why oral surgeons and dental health specialists take things deliberately when it comes to the recovery process.
Attend All Follow-Up Visits
It’s important that patients attend all follow-up visits with their oral surgeons while they recover. These follow-up visits help ensure that patients are healing properly and that they are not experiencing any serious issues or complications.
Ask Questions and Voice Concerns
Whenever a question or concern arises, patients should feel free to voice them to their oral surgeon and the staff at the practice. It’s important to have peace of mind as you heal, and getting answers to questions and responses to concerns is an important part of effective healing.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
Overall recovery from dental implant surgery can take around 7 months to a year, though this can vary a fair amount. Your healing time may vary, though a general timeline for your recovery can be provided during the consultation process at the practice.
Contact Harmony Dental Care
For more information about dental implants and how they can help you achieve the healthy and beautiful smile, be sure to contact our advanced dental care center today. Dr. Kalil Abide and the team at the practice are here to help.