What to Expect After a Dental Implant

Dental implants are popular for replacing missing teeth. An oral surgeon usually does these implants and these are permanent fixtures made of titanium post. These posts are surgically anchored into the jawbone and topped with a replacement tooth, or teeth, depending on the individual patient.

Most people who have dental implants have successful surgeries. There are very few risks of dental implants and the recovery time is minimal. The technology to perform implants was developed over thirty years ago and 91 percent of patients receive upper implants report success, while 98 percent of lower implants are successful.

If you are considering a dental implant to replace missing teeth, you should understand what to expect after your surgery is over. Most patients recover quite well and after the area has healed, has no trouble with their implants.

When you go into surgery for your dental implant, you will most likely be put under local anesthesia and sedatives. Most patients only need one surgery, but some may need two, depending on the case. Immediately after the surgery, you will need one to two days of rest. During this time, you can expect bleeding and pain. You will need to change the guaze in your mouth frequently for the first twelve hours following the surgery. Your oral surgeon will probably prescribe you a prescription medication to help you with the swelling and pain. You can also use ice packs on your face to help with the swelling. As you are healing, you will not be able to eat solid foods, nor will you want to drink out of a straw. By the second day, you should feel well enough to eat soft foods such as soup, yogurt, pudding and ice cream. You want to make sure that you do not eat foods that are too hot. Your surgeon will recommend that you only rinse your mouth out with warm salt water during this time instead of brushing.

After seven to ten days, you will be feeling much better and will be able to participate in normal activities. Your gums may still be a bit sore and swollen, but you will be able to gradually add foods to your diet. You will know what you can eat. You will also need to remember that you will have stitches at the surgery site. Sometimes, the stitches come lose and this is very normal. Unless there is bleeding associated with this, you will not need to call your oral surgeon. You will also want to take special care when you brush your teeth. You may be given a special mouth rinse to aid healing.

In the next few weeks, you may experience slight pain while your bone begins growing around the new titanium post. This is normal and should not cause serious pain. It will be another six to twelve weeks before the jaw is healed enough to complete the process of placing the new tooth on the post. You will also be in contact with your oral surgeon during this recovery phase. He or she will recommend that you come in for regular check ups to make sure the recovery process is going well.