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Answering A Few Of The Most Common Questions Concerning Recovery After A Dental Implant

If you are missing one or more teeth from your smile, it can make you feel like showing off your teeth is just out of the question. One of the best ways to get your full smile back is through dental implant treatment. If your dentist has recommended a dental implant, you may find yourself a little apprehensive about the procedure and recovery after it is all over.

Here are a few of the most common questions concerning recovering after a dental implant and the answers you will definitely want to know:

How painful will the dental implant be after surgery?

After the surgery, you will have some discomfort at the surgical sight and maybe even a small amount of bleeding. You may notice that your gums are somewhat swollen and tender as well. Your dentist may give you a prescription to help with pain, or they may recommend that you take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

How soon can you start eating regular food?

While the surgical site is healing, your dentist will likely recommend a soft diet. You should eat these softer foods anywhere from 10 to 14 days after implant surgery to make sure you do not cause any damage to the soft tissue or push the new implant out of line while you chew.

What are the signs and symptoms that there is something wrong with the implant?

Your dentist will likely give you a list of things to look for after surgery that would indicate that something is wrong. While the list of signs and symptoms can differ depending on the type of implant you receive, you should be on the lookout for

  • Sudden severe pain in the area
  • Severe swelling of the soft tissue around the implant
  • An implant that looks out of line with the rest of your teeth
  • A fever
  • White or yellowish discharge from the implant site
  • Loose stitches in the first few days of recovery

What length of time will it take to fully recover?

Recovery time with dental implants can have an array of affecting factors, such as age and whether or not bone grafts were used. However, most cases take anywhere between two and four months to completely heal.

When you understand the recovery process after a dental implant procedure, you will feel much better about the whole process. Make sure you talk openly with the surgeon about any questions and concerns you have well in advance of surgery. To learn more, contact a company like Prospect Periodontal & Implant Center with any questions you have.


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