What To Expect Once You Get Dental Implants

Dental implants are used for aesthetic purposes and to aid in better dental hygiene. Implants help prevent teeth from shifting and misaligning, conserve your jawbone, and provide comfort when eating and drinking. As with any oral surgery, dental implants require a specific care routine to support the healing process.

The following will help you understand what to expect in the days after your dental implant surgery.

The Day Of Surgery

For the first hour following your dental implants, you can expect some light bleeding, swelling, and discomfort. You should keep the area tightly packed with gauze to help control the bleeding. In most cases, it’s not advisable to remove the gauze within the first hour. After this initial timeframe, however, you should change the gauze as often as necessary, which is typically every 30-45 minutes.

For 24 hours after your surgery, avoid heavy rinsing or probing the area. But do keep up with your regular dental hygiene. Lightly brush your teeth the day of surgery. Just take extra care to avoid the implant area.

The day you receive your dental implants you should relax and avoid strenuous activity and smoking, and maintain a diet of soft foods and clear liquids.

How to Care for the New Implant

It is common to experience continued swelling, light bleeding, and discomfort for 2-3 days following the dental implants procedure. 24 hours after your surgery, however, you should begin rinsing the area with a saltwater solution at least 2-3 times a day, or as often as needed. You can now brush the implant site as well, but make sure you are using a soft bristled toothbrush and brush gently to avoid disturbing the healing process.

You may experience a sore throat or dry lips after oral surgery. Treat these symptoms as necessary. They will typically subside naturally in a few days.

After three days, the swelling and pain should be minimized, making it possible for you to begin eating a solid diet.

Managing The Pain

Your oral specialist should offer medication to help you manage the pain. For additional pain relief, consider applying a cold or warm compress to the side of the face covering the implant site, replacing it as often as necessary. Applying pressure with gauze packs will also help to reduce the pain. You may find that wetting and fluffing the gauze will help you find a more comfortable, secure fit over the implant area.

When To Contact Your Oral Specialist

You may notice odd postoperative symptoms, such as discoloration, bruising, or feel sharp edges with your tongue. These are normal and should go away naturally during the healing process. If you experience persistent heavy bleeding that does not reduce when consistent pressure is applied, severe pain that does not go away, or do not see consistent improvement in the days following your dental implant surgery, you should contact your oral specialist immediately. He or she will most likely suggest a follow-up visit to ensure that the implant site is healing properly.

At Specialty Dental Care, we are dedicated to providing quality, comfortable care to all of our patients. Contact us today for information on dental implants and for all of your future dental care needs.