Dental implants are amazing prosthetic devices that have allowed millions of people to replace their lost teeth with beautiful, lifelike, and functional restorations that may last a lifetime with proper care. While implants work, feel, and look just like real teeth, they require a few months after being placed to fuse with the jawbone and establish the sturdy foundation they need to exert maximum chewing force and stay in working order for as long as possible. Read on to learn more about the post-operative recovery process.
Will Recovering After Receiving Dental Implants Hurt?
Dentists use anesthetics and sedation treatments to render the process of placing a dental implant completely painless, but you can expect some soreness in the days following your procedure. This can be managed by taking prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication as instructed or applying a cold compress.
Most patients report that recovering from dental implant placement is much more comfortable than recovering from a tooth extraction. However, contact your dentist’s office if your pain seems to be getting worse after several days or if you notice signs of infection such as fever, fatigue, or an unpleasant taste in your mouth.
When Can I Eat After Surgery?
After surgery, it’s best to fast for at least an hour so the anesthetic has time to wear off. Eating while one’s mouth is still numb can lead to painful lacerations of the tongue and cheeks and possibly enamel damage. When eating, take care to avoid chewing around your new dental implant. It’s a great idea to stick to a soft, cold, mild diet that minimizes acids and refined sugar until you can enjoy tougher or spicier fare comfortably. A few excellent foods for when you are recovering after dental implant placement include:
- Ice cream
- Yogurt
- Steamed veggies
- Boneless white fish or chicken
- Oatmeal
- Smoothies
- Soup
- Pudding
- Bananas
Can I Smoke After Dental Implant Surgery?
Tobacco use in any form exposes the gum tissues to harmful chemicals that gradually exhaust and erode them while making it harder for them to heal and fight infections. This can be especially destructive after dental implant surgery since it can interfere with the healing process and prevent the implant from properly integrating with the tissue of the jawbone. Since smokers have a higher rate of dental implant failure, it’s a great idea to quit smoking for several months after having them placed and ideal to quit for a lifetime.
Replacing your lost teeth with dental implants can set you up for many years with a beautiful smile and excellent oral health. By adhering to your dentist’s instructions, you can help ensure that your implants remain in great shape for decades.
About the Author
Dr. Gus Bal earned his dental degree at Boston University’s Goldman School of Dental Medicine and completed a fellowship in implant dentistry at New York University. He has been voted as ‘Best Dentist in Scarborough’ several years in a row by the Readers Choice Awards. His office in Nepean offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as implant services. To learn more about the dental implant placement process, contact his office online or dial (613) 727-0990.