How Many Days Does it Take to Recover After a New Implant?

Recovering After a New Implant: How Many Days Does it Take?

With a success rate of over 97%, and lasting for 10 years or more with the right care, dental implants are a long-lasting solution to tooth replacement. But this long-term success begins with a crucial phase: recovery. 

Keep reading to find out how many days it takes to recover after getting a new dental implant, the food you can eat, and the precautions you should take.

What to Expect After Getting Surgery

On the first day following your implant surgery, it’s normal to experience some bleeding, swelling, and pain. Don’t be alarmed—these are natural indications that your body is beginning to heal.

To ensure a smoother recovery and reduce discomfort, it’s crucial to avoid disturbing the surgical site as it heals. Be sure to carefully follow all post-surgery care instructions provided by your dentist.

As you move into the second and third days, your healing process will continue. You may notice some minor swelling, mild discomfort, and bruising during this time, but these symptoms typically subside with proper medication and care. However, if you observe any increase in swelling or pain, or if other issues arise, it’s important to reach out to your dentist.

By about 8 to 10 days after the procedure, most people find they can resume their normal diet. In certain cases, though, a soft diet might be recommended for up to 6 weeks to ensure optimal healing.

What You Can Do to Speed Up Healing After Getting a New Implant

Healing after dental implant surgery is a critical phase that will impact the long-term success of your implants. To ensure a smooth recovery, it’s important to follow specific guidelines that promote healing and prevent complications.

Dos and Don’ts

Do:

• Follow your dentist’s instructions for post-surgery care.
• Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly.
• Use extra pillows to elevate your head when sleeping.
• Gently rinse with salt water 24 hours after surgery.
• Apply ice to reduce swelling as needed.
• Get plenty of rest to support your body’s healing process.

Don’t:

• Smoke or consume excessive alcohol, as these can delay healing.
• Engage in strenuous activities that could dislodge the blood clot.
• Skip your oral hygiene routine, as this increases the risk of infection.
• Eat hard or crunchy foods that might disturb the surgical site.
• Neglect to contact your dentist if swelling, pain, or other symptoms worsen.

After the Abutment and Crown Are Placed

Once you’ve moved past the initial recovery from your dental implant surgery, the journey isn’t quite over. Although you’ll no longer have restrictions on eating or oral care, your jawbone still needs time to securely bond with the titanium implant—a process known as osseointegration.

This critical phase can span anywhere from three to six months, influenced by factors like the quality and quantity of your bone, any personal risk factors, and the skill of your surgeon. 

When it’s time to place the abutment, the dentist will need to make a small incision in the gum tissue that has grown over the post to access it. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you may experience some typical side effects associated with the anesthetic. Afterward, it’s normal to feel some pain and soreness, but this should ease within one to two weeks.

During this healing period, it’s advisable to return to a soft food diet for a few days before gradually resuming your regular eating habits. After a couple of weeks, you’ll head back to the dentist to have your permanent crown placed. 

Fortunately, this final step doesn’t involve any incisions, so aside from some potential tenderness in the gums, you won’t face any restrictions on eating or oral care.

Visit One of the Most Trusted Periodontists in Hamilton for Your Dental Implants

If you are getting your first dental implant, we understand that you’ll have lots of questions. That’s why our team guides patients gently throughout the procedure, from the visit till you become comfortable with your implant.

Make an appointment with us today, and speak to an experienced dental professional who can advise you on the best way to correct your dental health while minimizing discomfort.