Many Australians suffer from missing teeth. They face embarrassment, chewing problems, potential jawbone issues, and an increased chance of infection.
Dental implants are an excellent option for those with missing teeth. A dental implant is permanent, lasts a lifetime, looks like a natural tooth, requires no special care, and promotes healthy bone growth. However, because dental implants require multiple surgeries, some people may be hesitant to choose them over other tooth restoration options.
With proper tooth implant post-operative care and pain medications, your recovery from dental implant surgery could be less uncomfortable than you may think.
Dental Implant Surgery and Dental Implant Post Operative Care
The most critical time for proper tooth implant post-operative care is the few weeks following your first surgery. During this surgery, your dentist inserts one or more dental implants, small titanium screw-like rods, into your jaw. While it will take up to six months for your jaw bone to fully fuse to the dental implants, a process known as osseointegration, your swelling and discomfort should reduce within two weeks.
At the Digital Dental Implant Institute, we use a cutting-edge flap-less keyhole surgical technique which offers a far quicker recovery rate than standard implant procedures. During your free consultation at your local dental clinic, we can explain the benefits.
To help ensure your recovery process goes smoothly, follow your dentist’s tooth implant post-operative care instructions. There are also a few other tips to help speed up the recovery process and make you more comfortable.
Rest
One of the most crucial components when recovering from surgery is rest. While most implant surgeries require only a local anaesthetic, some patients prefer twilight sedation to eliminate dental anxiety. If your dentist used anaesthesia, you might feel drowsy and nauseous for up to 24 hours after your surgery. Stay with a loved one and don’t drive yourself home.
Take over-the-counter pain medications to relieve discomfort and swelling.
If you cannot rest due to the discomfort, speak with your dentist about prescribed medication to help you recover.
When resting, keep your head elevated to reduce inflammation.
Sleep with several pillows to allow the blood to drain away from the incision site.
Avoid Intense Exercise
Intense exercise like running, aerobics, or sports could dislodge blood clots and increase your discomfort. Sports like volleyball or football also come with a risk of facial injury from a ball. Until your incision has healed, an impact on your jaw could disrupt the healing process and cause significant discomfort.
Even mild activity like bending and lifting heavy items should be avoided to minimise pressure around the surgical site.
Ice Packs
Most patients will experience swelling in the jaw after dental implants surgery. In addition to taking certain pain medications, you’ll want to ice your jaw to reduce the swelling.
You can either wrap a towel around ice or purchase reusable ice packs. Be sure to have a layer between the ice and your skin. Use the cold pack intermittently for 5-10 minutes at a time.
Eat Soft Foods
Eating hard, chewy foods could cause damage to your incision area. It will also be quite uncomfortable. Instead, prepare nutrient-rich soft foods such as smoothies, soups, porridge, and scrambled eggs.
You should also avoid drinking out of a straw, and very hot or cold drinks and food.
Don’t Smoke
Smoking can slow down the recovery process and introduce toxins into your gums. If you’re a heavy smoker, speak with your doctor about alternatives before scheduling your surgery. Be honest with your dentist about your smoking habits when discussing dental implant surgery during your initial free consultation, since it can affect the healing timeline.
Contact Digital Dental Implant Institute to Restore Your Smile
If you have missing teeth and want a permanent, safe solution, call DDII today at (02) 4058 2836 to schedule a free consultation. We’re happy to answer all your questions about dental implants, the recovery process, and whether it’s right for you.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
