If you are dealing with missing teeth and are looking for a way to restore both the look and function of your smile, dental implants are an extremely effective and popular choice!
Dental implants come with the benefits that they will look and feel just like natural teeth, not to mention that it’s a permanent procedure that with the proper care can last you a lifetime. However, it’s important to understand what this procedure entails and effectively prepare for it, especially its quite lengthy healing period.
Keep reading to learn everything you need about healing after dental implant surgery!
How Long Does It Take To Heal?
Dental implant surgery requires a healing period of around 4 to 6 months. The reason why it can take such a long time for your body to heal has to do with how the surgery works.
Essentially, a dental implant is made up of 3 elements:
- The metal implant, an element that slightly resembles a screw;
- The abutment, which connects the implant to the crown;
- The dental crown, the part of the implant you can see.
The surgeon makes an incision into your gum and places the implant where the natural tooth used to be. After, the process of osseointegration takes place, which essentially means your jaw bone and surrounding tissue are healing and binding to the implant, keeping it firmly in place.
Getting the abutment and crown before osseointegration is not possible, since that would mean the implant is not stable enough to support the rest of the dental implant.
What Is The Aftercare Process Like?
Caring for a new dental implant is extremely important and can have a direct impact on your healing timeline. While the actual steps you need to take can depend on your specific circumstances, there are some general rules to be mindful of during the healing period:
- Keep your teeth clean;
- Don’t brush directly on the implant site, use saline water or gently mouthwash instead;
- Eat on the other side of your mouth;
- Opt for soft foods that don’t require a lot of chewing in the first days post-up;
- Don’t take part in demanding physical activities 1-2 days post-up
Will There Be Pain After The Procedure?
Yes, you may feel some discomfort soon after surgery, but the symptoms will usually go away quite quickly. Most patients don’t feel any sort of discomfort one week post-op.
Some symptoms you can experience include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Sensitivity to heat or cold
- Mild bleeding, etc.
Your surgeon will likely provide some medicine to manage pain and swelling, so be sure to take your treatment!
Healing after implant surgery can be delayed by:
- Nutrition
- Smoking
- Certain medications
- Medical conditions, etc.
But Dr. Ethan Park can help provide you with more advice on how to properly care for your implant.
Please book a consultation at Camellia Dentistry today!
