Important points after implant placement

Dental implants are a surgical procedure for replacing missing teeth by placing a titanium post at the root of the tooth. In this article, we will review important post-implant care tips and ways to care for them that you should know before getting dental implants.

During your implant appointment, your dentist will use local anesthesia to ensure that you will not feel any pain during the procedure. For typical dental implant procedures, local anesthesia is sufficient to maintain comfort.

For complex cases that involve sinus grafting or bone augmentation procedures, your dentist may recommend a referral to an oral surgeon or periodontist, who will provide sedation for the procedure. Below are instructions on what to expect and how to care for the surgical site after surgery.

Postoperative Comfort, Pain Management, and Medication

After the implant procedure is complete, the local anesthesia (or numbing) will gradually wear off. This usually takes 1-4 hours. If the area is still numb after 24 hours, let your dentist know. Many patients experience no or mild discomfort after implant placement.

In some cases, there is moderate or even significant discomfort. Take pain medication as recommended by your doctor or dentist. In most cases, an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen (400-600 mg) or naproxen (200 mg) is best. It is a good idea to take pain medication before the anesthesia has completely worn off to optimize comfort.

If there is discomfort, it may get worse for 3-4 days before it improves. If your discomfort is severe or persists after 5 days, let your dentist know. If you are prescribed antibiotics, be sure to follow the instructions and take them completely until they are gone.

Bleeding after dental implants

Significant bleeding after dental implants are rare, however, it does sometimes occur. Unless your dentist instructs you otherwise, bite down on a folded piece of wet gauze to apply pressure to the area. Keep the pressure there for 1-2 hours. If bleeding is still noticeable after 1-2 hours, bite down on a tea bag for 30 minutes. Be careful not to pick your cheek or gargle or spit vigorously, as this can break up the healing clot and cause bleeding to start again. If your bleeding does not decrease or increase, please contact us.

Diet

Do not skip meals and try to maintain your normal calorie intake and nutrition. It is important not to apply pressure while the new implant site is healing. In the first week after your implant, eat softer foods such as eggs, pasta, fish, cooked vegetables, and smoothies.

You should avoid very hot liquids (hot coffee) or abrasive foods (nuts). After 1 week, you can eat regular foods, as long as you do not chew on the area where the new implant is located. Even after your gums have healed (1 to 3 weeks), your implant is still healing against your jawbone.

This process takes up to four months. Be careful not to chew food directly on the implant during this time. Avoid smoking while your wound is healing as it can slow down the healing process.

Eating and drinking

It is recommended to only drink cold drinks on the day of your surgery. It is important to stay hydrated. Avoid hot drinks, alcohol, and spicy or hot foods. Do not eat until the local anesthetic has worn off. Although eating meals may be challenging for the first few days, try to continue eating nutritious foods.

Try to choose softer foods and chew away from the implant site. It is best to avoid foods such as popcorn, seeds, or stone fruits, as they can get stuck in the implant area and cause infection. In general, most patients can return to a normal diet after seven to ten days.

Maintaining Oral Hygiene

One of the most important things to do after dental implant surgery is to keep your mouth clean. This will help prevent infection and help the wound heal. Rinse with warm salt water the day after your implant is placed, morning, evening, and after meals. You can brush your teeth immediately after your implant surgery, just be sure to avoid the area around the new implant. After about five days, begin cleaning the implant area thoroughly.

Good oral hygiene is essential for successful healing. Use a chlorhexidine mouthwash if prescribed by your dentist. Rinsing with warm salt water is also recommended the day after surgery and should be done four to five times a day, especially after meals. Be gentle when using mouthwashes and avoid vigorous brushing. Your dentist may encourage you to start brushing your teeth and healing abutments immediately, but be careful around the implant sites.

Healing Implant Pain

Treatment is generally straightforward with minimal discomfort. In most cases, dentists will leave the gums alone for a while to heal and fuse the implant to the jawbone. There is usually a healing period of six weeks to six months before permanent replacement teeth are placed. The stitches are usually removed or dissolved on their own after seven to fourteen days. Your dentist can give you some insight into what to expect.

Healthy lifestyle choices are essential for successful healing. Smoking significantly limits healing. The nicotine in smoke constricts blood vessels and reduces blood flow to soft tissues, which can affect the immune response.

This slows the healing process and affects the long-term health of the gums and bone. Smoking increases the risk that implants may not heal properly after placement and increases the likelihood of them failing over time. The healing process can also be disrupted by poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor dental care.

Recovery time will vary for each patient. Your recovery time will depend on your individual case and treatment plan. Your dentist will schedule follow-up appointments accordingly.

Can I wear my dentures after treatment?

Partial or complete dentures should not be worn immediately after surgery. If you have dentures that cover the implant area, you should wear them as little as possible to protect the implant site during its initial healing period. If temporary replacement teeth are used during treatment, they mustn’t put uncontrolled pressure on the underlying implants. Your dentist will give you specific instructions on how to wear your dentures or replace teeth after implant placement.

Dental Implant Success

The final word on important things to consider after implant placement is that, according to patients, dental implants are much less painful than tooth extractions or root canals. Placing dental implants is generally easier than people think. This is because the procedure is a very well-planned process. This means that aftercare and recovery are also usually simple and risk-free.

Your commitment to the outcome of your implant treatment is to maintain good oral hygiene. Cleaning your implants is not difficult, and once your dentist in Richmond Hill is satisfied with your dental implant care, your treatment will go well.