What Should I Know About Recovering After Dental Implant Surgery?

Dentists regard dental implants as the best way to replace lost teeth because they work, feel, and look exactly like natural pearly whites. These remarkable restorative devices can provide maximum stability and chewing power because they are surgically inserted into the jaw where they fuse with their surrounding bone tissue through the natural process of osseointegration. Here’s a brief guide to what you should know about the recovery process after receiving dental implants so you can avoid complications and enjoy a healthy restored smile.

When Can I Eat After Dental Implant Surgery?

You may remove the gauze pieces that were placed in your mouth to have something to eat about an hour after surgery. However, it’s important to stick to soft, mild, room-temperature foods for the first twenty-four hours. Spicy, crunchy, hot, or cold foods can irritate the healing gum tissues and possibly alter the implant’s position in the jaw. Avoid chewing around the area of the dental implant and refrain from drinking through a straw, as these actions can dislodge the blood clot forming over the surgical wound, resulting in a painful condition called dry socket.

Will There Be Any Discomfort?

Most patients report that receiving a dental implant involves significantly less discomfort than having a tooth extracted. However, some discomfort is to be expected, so your dentist will prescribe an appropriate pain medication or recommend an effective over-the-counter variety. The local anesthetic used during dental implant surgery should begin to wear off within two to four hours, so you may find that your discomfort increases during this period. It’s best to begin taking your pain medicine as instructed an hour or two after surgery.

Will I Need an Antibiotic?

Dental implant placement surgery requires the patient to receive antibiotic therapy afterward to prevent infection in the treated area. Always follow the dosage instructions on the bottle until you have taken all the medicine prescribed. Failing to do this can allow harmful bacteria to develop resistance to the antibiotic you first received, leading to infection and the need for more powerful antibiotics later.

The recovery period after receiving dental implants is crucial to ensuring that the restorations establish the sturdy foundation they need to work well and last for many years. Following your dentist’s aftercare instructions is a great way to ensure a smooth recovery.

About the Practice

Drennan Family Dentistry offers the finest oral health services in Fort Worth. Led by Drs. Terry L. Drennan and Jade Carlson, the staff ensures that each patient enjoys courteous treatment and compassionate care in a clean and friendly office environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dental implant services. To learn more about dental implant surgery aftercare, contact the practice online or dial (817) 732-5522.