What’s The Healing Process After Dental Implants?

When it comes to dental implants, every patient has a unique set of dental needs that are being met. Depending on the complexity of your case or the location and number of dental implants you are receiving, recovery times may vary. In most instances, however, the implant site will be healed after just 1-2 weeks. Then, it’s just a waiting game for the implant to bond with your jaw tissue, a process that usually takes several months. In the meantime, you may be fitted with a temporary prosthetic from our Austin office to fill in any gaps in your smile.

What To Expect From The Healing Process

Most implant placements require nothing more than a small incision in the gumline, (and the jaw bone itself has no nerve endings to speak of), so the resulting pain and discomfort is far less than you might expect from oral surgery. Usually, over-the-counter pain medication, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, are sufficient to deal with any lingering soreness after the procedure. Dr. Matthysse or Dr. Chelkowski will provide you guidance on aftercare that is unique to your dental needs, but here are some helpful general tips to ease your comfort during your recovery after receiving dental implants.

• For the first 24 hours after treatment, avoid brushing or using mouthwash. To clean the implant site, gently rinse with a warm saltwater solution.
• Leave the gauze placed over the implant site in its place for at least an hour after the procedure. After that, it can be removed and you can eat or drink if you’d like. Stick to soft foods like yogurt or applesauce, and avoid any liquids that are overly hot or cold. Also, don’t use a straw for at least 24 hours. After a day or two, you can begin to expand your diet, but use your best judgement, and don’t eat or drink anything that causes you pain or discomfort.
• Don’t smoke or use any tobacco products. In addition to the health problems tobacco products cause, they can lead to infection and even implant failure.
• Avoid any strenuous activity for at least 3 days following implant placement. 

How Do I Take Care Of Dental Implants?

Once the implant post is fully healed, it’ll be fitted with a dental crown, and the implant restoration will be complete. If all goes well, you’ll be able to treat it just like a natural tooth. Practicing good hygiene habits, like brushing twice a day and flossing daily, will extend the life of the prosthetic, giving you a beautiful, functional, complete smile for years to come. 

Visit Us For A Complimentary Dental Implant Consultation

If you’re missing one or more teeth in Austin, give us a call at (512) 444-1133 or contact us online to schedule a complimentary implant consultation today! It’s a risk-free way to meet our team and find out if dental implants are a good option to restore your smile and your confidence.