Things to Keep in Mind After Dental Implant Placement
Posted on 11/16/2020 by Dr McMurray
Dental implants are one of the best options for restoring missing, decayed, or damaged teeth. They are permanent, incredibly natural in appearance, and fully restore your ability to eat and speak normally. Here are some things to keep in mind after you have one or more dental implants placed.
Recovery Process
Every patient is different, so your recovery process will depend on your unique case. At your initial consultation appointment, we will discuss what you can expect in terms of healing time, discomfort you may experience, foods you should eat while your implant heals, et cetera. In general, healing time depends on how many implants you have placed, the state of your teeth and jawbone before implant placement, and certain lifestyle factors. For instance, a patient whose jawbone has deteriorated significantly might require bone grafting along with their implant surgery, which would result in a longer recovery time. Patients who smoke can also expect a longer recovery time, as smoking interferes with the healing process. If possible, we recommend quitting smoking a week or two before implant placement and not smoking at all during the recovery period.
Most patients can expect to experience some discomfort after implant placement, as you would with any oral surgery. The amount of discomfort will vary from patient to patient, but could include minor bleeding, swelling, or bruising near the site of the procedure. We might prescribe pain medication and a soft food diet for the first week or so after your surgery, or longer if your procedure is more complex and requires bone grafting.
Follow-Up Care
We will give you specific instructions regarding oral hygiene and self-care at the time of your appointment. We will also schedule follow-up appointments to make sure your implant is healing properly and remove any stitches, so make sure you keep these appointments. Once your implant or implants have healed, you should be able to care for them as you would your natural teeth. Dental implants have a 95 percent success rate, and should last your lifetime as long as you care for them properly. Call our office today to learn more about dental implant placement.
Oral Surgeon Gilroy • About South Valley Oral & Facial Surgery We believe your smile is a work of art; it deserves as much care and attention as any masterpiece. Give us a call in San Jose, Gilroy or Los Banos today! South Valley Oral and Facial Surgery, 5595 Winfield Blvd, Suite 202, San Jose, CA 95123-1220, 408-479-9449, svofs.com, 10/7/2024, Tags: dental implants San Jose CA,
