You may experience some discomfort after dental implant surgery, but you can expect excellent results once the process is complete.
If you are missing one or more teeth, you may be wondering what your treatment
options are. Dental implants remain a popular and effective choice and are
suited to most people who are in good overall and oral health. But what is the
recovery process like? And is it really worth going through the procedure?
1. You can expect some discomfort
When you have your dental implant placed, your dentist will administer an anaesthetic. This means that you won’t feel any pain during the procedure itself. When the surgery is complete and the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off, however, you can expect some discomfort at the site of treatment. You may also notice some swelling and bruising, as well as some bleeding at the surgery site. The good news is that these side effects are temporary and should resolve within a week or so. Your dentist will recommend pain medications to help ease your pain during this time.
2. A soft diet is recommended
While you are recovering from your dental implant surgery, it is advisable that you stick to a liquid and soft diet while your mouth heals. Try to eat plenty of nutritious foods that will aid the healing process — some good options include oats, mashed fruits and vegetables like potatoes and avocadoes, yoghurt and cottage cheese. Blended soups and broths are also suitable, but just be sure to consume these at a lukewarm temperature in order to avoid irritation in your mouth.
It is best to avoid foods that are particularly chewy, crunchy or hard during your recovery period. You should also stay away from spicy and acidic foods as these can exacerbate any discomfort that you feel around the site of surgery.
3. Osseointegration takes a few months
When your implant has been placed, you will need to wait for it to fuse with your jawbone. This process, which is known as osseointegration, can take anywhere between two and six months to complete. As the bone and implant begin to fuse, the jaw bone will grow around the dental implant and strengthen over time. This will ensure that the implant remains stable, and will allow it to function just like a natural tooth root.
4. The final result will look and feel natural
The process of having a dental implant placed along with a replacement tooth does take some time, but most patients agree that it is well worth the effort. Once the implant has healed and fused with your jaw bone, your dentist may need to place a component known as an abutment. An abutment is used to connect your implant and your replacement tooth. It can take a few weeks for your gums to heal after this procedure.
The final step in the process is the placement of the replacement tooth, which will be custom-made to achieve a natural-looking aesthetic. Your new tooth will look and feel completely natural and will function just like your other teeth.
How can we help?
At Ironside Advanced Dental, we offer a comprehensive range of restorative dental treatments. If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to improve your oral health, as well as the form and function of your smile, we encourage you to come in for a consultation so that we can discuss your treatment options with you.
If you are a suitable candidate for dental implants, we will explain the process in detail to you and address any questions or concerns that you have. If you decide to go ahead with the treatment, you can expect fully restored tooth function, as well as a beautiful smile once the procedure is complete.
To find out more about dental implants, their benefits and what the process involves, please have a look here. To book an appointment, please contact us here or give us a call on (02) 9267 3495.