The recovery process for dental implants can be uncomfortable. The entire treatment involves several interventions with an oral surgeon in Chicago, and the healing period can be long as you need the mouth to heal and the implant to fuse with the bone before getting the final crown placement.
While discomfort and pain are common, extreme discomfort is not. In fact, an unbearable ache may be an indicator of implant infection, which is crucial to identify quickly. To help you understand what to expect after implant surgery and navigate the recovery period smoothly, we came up with this guide.
Recovery Period After Implant Dentistry
It is normal to experience discomfort or pain while the dental implant is healing. Implant placement is a surgical procedure that involves sutures and, in some cases, even making a cut on the bone, so it’s expected that you will need some downtime.
Whether you are getting a single implant or more, this is just how dental implants heal. For this reason, common symptoms like bleeding, pain, swelling, and other symptoms do not indicate a problem.
Things you should not worry about include:
Bleeding
There will be some bleeding from the implant site for 48 to 72 hours following surgery. Bleeding from your nose may also occur if your implant is on the upper arch or if you had a sinus lift, too.
In most cases, bleeding isn’t as severe. It's simply that saliva thins out your blood, making it seem worse.
Bruising
You may notice some facial bruises two to three days following the procedure, but they will disappear on their own.
The blood rises to the surface of your gums during healing, which is another reason why the soft tissues in your mouth may appear black, blue, green, or yellow.
Swelling
For about two days following the procedure, you may experience swelling around your mouth, cheeks, and eyes. This is typical, particularly if you had bone grafting.
Applying a cold compress for roughly 20 minutes can reduce it. However, the swelling should go away on its own after four days. Contact your dentist if the swelling persists, the area feels hot, or you start to feel feverish, as these symptoms could indicate an infection with a dental implant.
Discomfort
In the days after the surgery, you might experience some discomfort. After all, there is a new, strange object in your mouth and bones. In addition to a sore throat and difficulty swallowing, your lips may feel stretched and dry.
However, the pain and discomfort should subside four days following the procedure. If it subsides, contact us.
Dizziness and Nausea
It is normal to feel dizzy or even nauseous after leaving the office, especially if you have anesthesia. It should go away in a couple of hours.
For a few days, refrain from exerting yourself or bending over in order to keep the dizziness from coming back.
Fever
It is normal to have a fever after oral surgery, but it should not exceed 101.5°F. If so, contact us right away.
Factors That Impact Implant Recovery Time
It is hard to predict with precision how long your recovery will take because every patient is unique. There are some factors that play a big role in your recovery period, though, like:
- The number of implants: If more implants were inserted, healing could take longer, as the bone and gums would have to endure more stress during the surgery.
- Placement of implants: Location also plays a big role, as the lower jawbone heals more quickly than the upper arch.
- Your smoking habits: Nicotine constricts vessels, and blood is not free to flow to the soft tissues as efficiently, which slows the process down.
- How long the tooth had been missing before surgery: If the tooth has been missing for a long time, the implantologist may need to make an incision in the bone, prolonging the healing period.
- If sinus lifting or bone grafting were required: This also means extra healing time.
Dental Implants Aftercare
Proper aftercare for oral surgery begins immediately after surgery. Sedation will leave you confused and tired, so you should arrange for someone to drive you home.
Do not rinse your mouth out too harshly or touch the implant area. Other care tips you can follow are:
Control Bleeding
Saliva redness or bleeding from the implant site may persist for up to 72 hours following dental implant surgery. To control it, you can bite down on gauze for approximately an hour.
Additionally, avoid unnecessary bleeding by refraining from strenuous activity. And it is not just physical exertion or heavy lifting—using a straw, smoking, or forcefully spitting can all make blood clots more likely to form.
Manage Pain
Advil, Aleve, and Ibuprofen are the most widely used over-the-counter pain relievers; however, they may disrupt the osseointegration process. As a result, oral surgeons frequently suggest Tylenol to treat pain following implant placement.
Follow the directions on the package and take it right before the anesthesia wears off or when you feel that the discomfort is too great.
Minimize Swelling and Bruising
It is common for your face and gums to swell and bruise the day following surgery. The discoloration will peak two to three days later after surgery and go away on its own. You can apply an ice pack to the closest part of your face to subside it.
Wear it for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, rest, and repeat for 48 hours.
Maintain Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is essential throughout the healing phase. The surrounding environment must be clean for your implant's soft tissues to heal, as infections are the number one cause of implant failure.
After surgery, brush your teeth, as usual, skipping the implant. After each meal, rinse your mouth with a glass of warm water and a teaspoon of salt to get rid of food particles.
For at least a few days, avoid using an electric toothbrush or water flosser.
Long-term, be sure to keep up a regular oral hygiene regimen that includes daily flossing, mouthwash, and brushing. Although implants are immune to cavities, infections of the soft tissues surrounding them can result in implant failure even after the wound has healed.
Follow Dietary Instructions
For at least three days, stick to soft foods like smoothies, creamy soups, and yogurts. Avoid foods and drinks that are too hot or too cold, though.
If you did not receive a full mouth of implants, try chewing on the side where your natural teeth are once you are able to eat solid foods again. Stay hydrated, but don’t use a straw. Make sure your diet is nutrient-rich to keep your body as strong as possible during the healing process.
Get Check-Ups with an Oral Surgeon in Chicago
Fourteen days after the procedure, you should visit 2030 Dental Implants to get the stitches removed. While some stitches dissolve on their own, you should still come in for routine exams. We will examine the state of your mouth and determine whether healing is proceeding as it should.
So, if you’re due for a check-up—or you noticed that any of these symptoms have extended for a little too long, contact us!
