Recovering from Dental Implant Surgery

If you’re missing teeth, you may want to consider dental implants instead of using a traditional prosthesis (e.g., removable partial or denture). At Bonita Beach Dental, we can use dental implants to replace one tooth, several teeth, or an entire arch.

Are Dental Implants Right for You?

Determining the best tooth-replacement option involves comparing dental implants with traditional solutions like dentures and partials. Here's a breakdown to help you decide:

Longevity

• Dental Implants: With proper care, they can last a lifetime.
  
  
• Dentures/Partials: Typically need replacement every 5 to 10 years.

Jawbone Health

• Dental Implants: Stimulate the jawbone, preserving facial structure and preventing bone loss.
  
  
• Traditional Prostheses: Lack of jawbone stimulation can lead to bone resorption and facial structure changes.

Maintenance

• Dental Implants: Function like natural teeth, requiring regular brushing and flossing.
  
  
• Traditional Prostheses May become loose over time, necessitating adhesives that can be cumbersome to clean.

Comfort and Functionality

• Dental Implants: Feel and operate like natural teeth without food restrictions.
  
  
• Traditional Prostheses: Can cause discomfort, may trap food, and often come with dietary limitations.

Aesthetics

• Dental Implants: Designed to look and feel like your natural teeth.
  
  
• Traditional Prostheses: While they can mimic the appearance of real teeth, they may not feel as natural.

Choosing the right option depends on individual needs and preferences. Consulting with an experienced dentist is crucial to determine the best solution for your situation.

How Long Does It Take To Recover?

Several factors determine how long your dental implant recovery takes.

These factors are:

• The number of teeth Dr. Grady Scott extracts.
• How healthy your jawbone is.
• If you need to have a bone graft.

Lifestyle choices also play a role in the healing process. Patients who smoke or use other tobacco products should quit at least two months before their dental implant surgery.

After surgery, they should refrain from using products that contain tobacco for at least a month. Following this recommendation is crucial because the nicotine in these products causes the blood vessels to narrow. This slows blood flow, which could complicate the recovery process.

The Healing Stages After Dental Implant Surgery

You should expect to experience some discomfort after surgery. However, most patients state that their symptoms subside within a few days.

The Post-Surgical Phase of Care

After dental implant surgery, patients should expect to experience some side effects. These side effects may include gum and cheek inflammation, minor bleeding, bruised gums, and pain around the implants.

Addressing post-surgical side effects:

• Help stop bleeding by biting down on a folded piece of gauze for 30 minutes.
• You can use ice to reduce inflammation. The soft gel packs work well during this phase of recovery. For the first two days, hold the ice against the outside of your cheeks for 20 minutes. Once 20 minutes have passed, remove the ice pack. You can reapply it in 20 minutes: 20 on and 20 off. Make sure to place a cloth between your skin and the ice because placing it directly on your skin can damage your facial tissues.
• Dr. Scott may recommend over-the-counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or prescribe pain medication.

The Osseointegration Process

Osseointegration refers to the fusion process that occurs between the implant and the jawbone. Osseointegration usually takes from four to six months. Proper osseointegration allows you to eat, speak, and chew normally.

After Surgery, You'll Need To Follow a Soft Food Diet

About an hour after surgery, you should be able to eat something. However, for the first 24 hours, you'll need to eat soft foods and cool beverages.

You must refrain from eating hot foods, spicy foods, and drinking hot beverages. Doing so could increase inflammation, cause pain, and promote bleeding. In addition, you should avoid drinking through a straw because suction could dislodge a newly formed blood clot.

Foods you can eat during this initial phase of recovery:

• Applesauce
• Broth
• Mashed potatoes
• Cottage cheese
• Ice cream
• Yogurt
• Mashed-up bananas
• Oatmeal
• Scrambled eggs
• Smooth soups
• Smoothies (without a straw)

Caring for Your Teeth After Dental Implant Surgery

For the first few days after surgery, you can gently rinse out your mouth with warm salt water. This helps your surgical wounds heal and prevents infection. You can gently brush the other areas of your mouth with a soft-bristled, manual toothbrush.

Don’t smoke or perform any strenuous activities because these actions can hamper your body’s healing process.

Once the osseointegration process is complete, care for your implants just as you would your natural teeth. Continue brushing your teeth twice a day, and flossing at least once.

Have your biannual cleanings and checkups. During your check-up, your dentist in Bonita Beach will evaluate your dental implants.

Why Do People Choose Bonita Beach Dental?

We proudly offer every phase of dentistry to the Bonita Springs community and its surrounding areas. Whether you need a dental cleaning, would like to improve your smile with cosmetic dentistry, or want to restore your smile with dental implants, Dr. Grady Scott at Bonita Beach Dental can help.

We Want You To Feel Comfortable

If you feel anxious about receiving dental care, we can use IV sedation to help you relax.

Although every dental solution is beneficial, dental implants can change your smile completely. Please call (239) 947-5858 to schedule your complimentary consultation. If you prefer, you can use our online form to request an appointment or learn more about dental implant in Bonita, FL.

‍