Dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth, but it’s reasonable to have a few questions about what to expect after having them surgically placed. Luckily, great multitudes of people have already received dental implants and gone through the recovery process, so these questions are easily answered. Here is a list of common questions patients ask about recovering from dental implant placement surgery as well as their answers.
Can I Expect Any Bleeding After Leaving the Office?
After your dental implants are placed, you may experience some bleeding from the surgical sites for up to seventy-two hours after surgery. Your oral surgeon will place pieces of gauze on the wounds to help limit the flow of blood, and biting down on them firmly for the first hour after the surgery will help reduce your bleeding. It’s important to remember that spitting, rinsing, or blowing your nose can aggravate the wounds, so do your best to avoid these actions. You may experience bleeding from the nose if your implants were placed in the upper jaw or if you also received a sinus graft.
When Can I Eat After Receiving Dental Implants?
Once an hour has passed after surgery, you can remove the gauze covering the surgical wounds and enjoy some food. However, take care to stick to soft foods that aren’t hot for the first twenty-four hours after the procedure, as hot or crunchy foods can stress the wounds and interfere with the healing process. You should also abstain from drinking from a straw during this initial twenty-four-hour period, as this can also hinder the healing process.
Should I Expect Any Discomfort After Surgery?
The local anesthetic administered during dental implant placement will start to wear off after two to four hours, so you may begin to feel some discomfort then. You may experience more discomfort if your surgery was more extensive. You can expect your dentist or oral surgeon to prescribe pain medication or recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever to help you stay comfortable. After the procedure, begin taking this medication after eating something but before the anesthetic starts wearing off.
Getting dental implants is nothing to be scared of and can restore your smile and protect your oral health for a lifetime with proper care. Your dentist will be happy to answer any other questions you have about the process at your consultation or before your surgery.
About the Author
Dr. J. Travis Kobza earned his dental degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and completed a one-year General Practice Residency program at UNMC Omaha. He is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Nebraska Dental Association. His office in Falls City, NE, offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry in addition to dental implant services. To schedule a dental implant consultation, contact his office online or dial (402) 245-2243.