As you contemplate replacing your missing tooth with a dental implant, you need to think about the surgical process and the recovery. It is important to know how the procedure will affect your life immediately after the operation and in the long term. This is important so that you can prepare yourself both physically and psychologically. Continue reading to learn more about recovery from dental implants.
Will I Feel Pain After Surgery?
Although the surgery is quite invasive, the pain is relatively minimal because the surgeon will only make a tiny incision in your gum and drill a small hole in the jawbone. Since the bone doesn’t have a nerve ending, you won’t feel pain. Furthermore, your doctor will give you prescription drugs to relieve the pain and discomfort after the surgery.
Can You Eat After Dental Implant Surgery?
It is not advisable to eat immediately after the surgery because the wound is still fresh, and you have a set of gauzes meant to help you place light pressure on the surgical site. So, you should only eat something soft or have a drink after an hour or two when you can remove the first set of gauzes. For the first 24 hours after the surgery, you should not take hot drinks or use a straw. You should move on to more solid food as the days go by. But you should be guided by your comfort level.
How Much Rest Do I Need?
Since this procedure is quite invasive, you will be given anesthesia to keep you comfortable during surgery. Therefore, you should not attempt to drive a vehicle or operate a machine immediately after the surgery because the effect of anesthesia takes up to 24 hours to fade away completely. You should also avoid heavy lifting or any other rigorous activity for at least one week. Give yourself enough time to rest so that your body can recover quickly.
How Long Does Dental Implant Recovery Take?
Your recovery period depends on several factors. For instance, if you are replacing a single tooth without bone grafting, full recovery can take just a few days or weeks. But if you are replacing several teeth and you need a bone graft, the recovery period can take weeks or months. Other factors include your overall health, age, and hygiene. If you have other underlying health problems that might delay the healing process, your recovery from dental implants will take longer.