Dental implants restore more than just patient smiles; when you work with an experienced dental team, they can help restore your confidence as well.
What to Expect After Dental Implant Surgery
Dental implant surgery is a relatively large procedure. Knowing what to expect from the days, weeks, and months that follow can help you identify signs that your body is healing. Here is what to expect.
In the First Few Days:
You can expect swelling accompanied by a bit of pain in the first few days that follow your procedure. You may notice a bit of bleeding as well as some bruising. During this time, you will want to make sure to take your antibiotics in order to avoid infections.
In the First Weeks:
Your stitches should begin to dissolve within a few weeks and the pain will decrease. You may feel a slight aching in your jaw, this is normal, so do not be alarmed.
In the First Few Months:
You might find it hard to eat hard foods within the first few months. Combat this by only eating soft foods. Avoid chewing actions that irritate the surgery area and talk to your dentist about more comfortable alternatives.
Tips to Heal After Your Surgery
Follow these tips to ensure your healing process goes off without a hitch!
1. Do Not Skip Brushing Your Teeth
Brushing your teeth is still an essential part of healing. With that being said, make sure you exercise extreme caution while brushing, especially around the surgery site.
2. Book Your Follow-Up Appointment
Booking your follow-up appointment allows a professional to evaluate your healing process. They will make sure your body is accepting the implant(s) and is on its way to healing fully.
3. Eat Softer Foods
Swap hard food for softer alternatives to avoid pain and irritating your implant. For example, instead of raw vegetables, cook or steam them to take away the crunch.
4. Avoid Hot Liquids
Hot foods and liquids can disrupt the healing process. Heating the bone near the implant area can cause the implant to fail. Talk to your dentist about your own personal specific healing plan.
5. Avoid Spicy Food
Spicy food can irritate open wounds and complicate implant healing. Avoiding extreme spice is critical to proper healing.
Signs to Watch For
When your implant is healing, paying close attention to the healing process can help catch potential issues before they come up. If you notice any of these, contact your dentist immediately.
1. Intense Radiating Pain
Pain should gradually improve following surgery. If you notice that it gets worse, this is a sign that your body is having trouble healing.
2. Swelling that Does Not Improve
If the swelling gets worse or does not begin to decrease, call your dentist and make sure that the fluid building up is not causing problems for your implant.
Now that you know what to expect and what to look out for, feel free to talk to your dental team at Riverview Family Dental in Corunna about the best plan for you. Free Consultations for Dental Implants are available!
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