How Long Is The Recovery Process For Implants
Stuart, FL
 Do you want to get a dental implant procedure but are worried about the recovery time? Most patients respond well to dental implants and recover as early as three months after the surgery, while others may take over eight months to recover.
Patients who require a bone graft will have to wait anywhere from two weeks to three months for a bone graft to heal. This is why there is a large interindividual variability in recovery rates due to a number of factors, including the patient’s age, health, jawbone density, and even the expertise of the oral surgeon.
Our dentists, Dr. Colin M. McKinney and Dr. McKinney at Colin M. McKinney, DMD, go above and beyond to ensure that your dental implant procedure is as smooth as possible with minimal recovery times. However, it is crucial to follow your dentist’s post-op instructions because they can significantly improve your healing time.
What You May Feel a Few Days After Dental Implant Surgery
Like any other surgery, dental implants can be mildly painful and fairly uncomfortable, especially in the first few hours. It is common for patients to feel: | • |
Bleeding for the first 72 hours after surgery
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Swelling in the surgical site for at least 48 hours
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Pain and uncomfortable sensations for at least another week |
Recovery Depends on the Dental Implant Procedure
The recovery time also depends on the type of dental implant procedure. For example, one or two dental implants are quicker to heal as opposed to several dental implants. A complex procedure with several implants, complications, and bone grafts will require several months to heal. Your post-op instructions may require you to eat soft foods for the next several weeks to allow the bones and gums to heal properly.
Tips to Expedite the Recovery Process for Dental Implants
There are several steps you can take to improve the recovery time after dental implant surgery and maximize the longevity of your implants.
Eight Hours of Sleep
Many patients underestimate the impact that sleep has on recovery rates. Patients should opt for at least eight hours of sleep per night so that the body can do what it does best: heal itself. Failing to get enough rest can compromise the immune system and make it difficult to fight off infections and complications that may arise after dental implant surgery.
If you are facing difficulties getting enough sleep, get in touch with our dentist for a consultation. You may have to make lifestyle changes, such as turning off technology devices at night and putting on an eye mask to optimize the circadian rhythm.
Drink Water
You should drink at least eight cups of water every day to stay hydrated. Fluids play an important role in thinning the blood and transporting oxygen to the surgical site. You may be asked to avoid drinking fluids that may dehydrate you, such as coffee and soda.
Oral Hygiene
It is important to take good care of your oral health to minimize the risk of infections. For example, an outbreak of peri-implantitis can have devastating effects on your recovery process and increase it by as much as three to four additional months. Make sure to brush your teeth twice a day and floss using an implant friendly floss.
For more information and dental implant FAQs, get in touch with us at Colin M. McKinney, DMD. Call us at (772) 266-2223 to book an appointment today! |
