Your journey to successful healing is underway as soon as you leave your dentist’s office with your newly placed dental implant.
But, after the surgery, there is still much to be done. The guide below will guide you on what to do when caring for implants after surgery.
Looking at dental implants before and after images will also help you visualize how the treatment works for you. Consult with your dentist as well to get clear picture of the procedure.
So what usually happens after surgery? Below are the most common questions asked by patients. Read further for more details.
Will there be pain after the implant procedure?
Because of the anesthetic, you will not feel any pain during or after the dental implant. But you may experience some soreness for a few days afterward, but this is normal and should subside quickly.
During this time, you will not be allowed to eat anything solid and may experience some pain a few days after the anesthesia wears out.
This is normal and should subside within a couple of days. To relieve pain, take over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, as your doctor or dentist recommends.
Will there be swelling or bruising around the implant?
After your dental implant procedure, you may experience some swelling and discomfort.
Thus, to help with the healing process, your dentist will ask you to rinse with a saltwater solution for 2-3 weeks. This will decrease the swelling and prevent infection.
You may also be given antibiotics before your surgery if there is any possibility that bacteria could enter the surgical site.
These medications help protect against infection and reduce the risk of postoperative complications such as an abscess or bone loss around the implant.
What should I avoid after my implant treatment?
Here are some tips on what you need to do:
- Don’t smoke or chew tobacco for one month after the procedure. Smoking damages blood vessels and nerves, which can affect healing and increase your risk of complications. Cigarette smoke also increases the risk of gum disease.
- Don’t eat hard or sticky foods for one week after the surgery. This includes nuts, popcorn, chips, ice cream, and hard candy. These foods can damage your newly placed dental implant and cause bleeding or infection in your mouth.
- Drink plenty of water during this time to help flush out bacteria from around the surgical site. Drinking plenty of water also helps with healing because it keeps your mouth moist and helps prevent gum tissue from drying out too much around the implant area.
What will happen with the stitches around the implant?
Your dentist will place stitches around the implant. These will be removed at your next appointment. The stitches are usually dissolvable and will dissolve on their own.
If you have particular concerns, ask your dentist to explain what you should do. Make sure you understand the instructions before you leave the dental office.
Final Thoughts
The immediate postoperative care instructions may seem overwhelming if you’re new to dental implants.
But if you follow these instructions, your implant will heal as it should, and you won’t have any problems with it in the future.
