Recovery from Surgery to Place Dental Implants
At Suburban Oral Surgery & Implant Center, both Dr. Allan Libunao and Dr. Jeffrey Hawkins of Bolingbrook have committed themselves to helping patients have healthy and beautiful smiles. This is achieved through the use of dental implants, an ideal option for treating tooth loss and restoring the beauty and function of a smile.
It's important that patients who are getting dental implants have realistic expectations about the treatment process, which is why we'd like to focus on healing right now.
About Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically placed into the jawbone and gum tissue of the patient's dental arch. These posts act as supports for dental appliances such as bridges, dentures, and even individual dental crowns.
In order to qualify for dental implants, patients need to have sufficient bone density and healthy gum tissue in place. They should also be in good enough health to tolerate oral surgery without major risk to general health.
Common Side Effects After Oral Surgery
After undergoing oral surgery, the following side effects are very common:
- Discomfort and soreness
- Bruising and swelling
- Swelling of the gum tissue
- Tenderness of the jawline
In general, these side effects are most pronounced for a week to two weeks, with significant reductions in their severity. Any discomfort can be addressed using recommended pain medications, and issues with bruising and swelling can be addressed by using cold compresses as directed.
Activities to Avoid After Oral Surgery
After undergoing oral surgery, it's important that patients avoid the following activities until their oral surgeon advises otherwise:
- Strenuous physical activities
- Eating hot/cold in temperature foods
- Eating hard and crumby foods
- Eating spicy foods
- Drinking hot/cold in temperature beverages
- Use of drinking straws
- Consuming alcoholic beverages
- Use of tobacco products
In general, patients should be able to return to most of their normal activities by the end of two weeks. Patients should avoid using drinking straws until the incision sites have fully healed as this can lead to problems with sutures.
Consuming alcoholic beverages and use of tobacco products should be avoided throughout the healing process to avoid infections and other serious complications.
The Process of Osseointegration
During the healing process, it's important for osseointegration to occur. This means that the dental implants fully fuse with the jawbone and gum tissues. Only when osseointegration is completed will the dental implants be ready to support a dental appliance.
Attend Follow-Up Visits as Scheduled
Multiple follow-up visits with your oral surgeon will be scheduled in order to ensure that you are healing properly and are free from complications. Be sure to attend all follow-ups and to contact your oral surgeon or dentist if you have any urgent concerns.
How long will it take before the implant dentistry process is completed?
In general, the healing process for dental implants can take up to seven months, though this varies from patient to patient. Again, it's crucial that osseointegration occur before the bridge, denture, or crown is placed.
Contact Suburban Oral Surgery & Implant Center
For more information about dental implants and if they are the ideal option for you and your needs, be sure to contact our advanced dental care center today. Dr. Allan Libunao and Dr. Jeffrey Hawkins look forward to your visit and helping you get the treatment you need to experience excellent dental health.