Dental Implants Recovery Time and Care: Everything You Need to Know

Did you know that your teeth do so much more than chew food? They play a requisite role in maintaining your facial integrity, pronunciation, and enhanced facial expressions. However, if you happen to lose them, your quality of life will be affected.

This is why getting dental implants in Pearland, TX, is an excellent idea. You will be able to replace the tooth from the root to the crown. Therefore, tooth and jaw functions will be restored.

However, getting dental implants near you is a bit involving, primarily due to the healing process after the procedure. This is because you might need some time to heal since the jawbone and the implant have to fuse. Let’s dive into the procedure and how long it might take for you to recover from the implant surgery.

First Things First, How Is the Dental Implant Placed?

Our dentist can use various implant techniques and types of implants, depending on your needs. In some instances, additional procedures have to be performed to ensure that the implant placement is successful.

In any case, the procedure will go as follows:

  • Initial assessment. During your initial visit, our dentist will take x-rays and scans to check the state of your jawbone. Additionally, teeth impressions will be taken, and the color of your teeth will be recorded to ensure that tooth replacement looks natural
  • Tooth extraction. If the tooth that you wish to replace is still intact, then our dentist will remove the tooth after administering anaesthesia
  • Bone and gum grafting. If the x-ray shows that your bone has deteriorated, a bone graft will be performed to promote bone growth. Gum grafting can also be performed when your gums have receded
  • Inserting the implant. Once the above procedures have been performed, the implant can be inserted into your jawbone.
  • Abutment placement. Once the implant is placed, our dentist will screw the abutment, which connects the implant to the tooth replacement
  • Fixing the Tooth Replacement. When the abutment is in place, our dentist will cover it using a crown, dentures, or dental bridges

Recovery and Regrowth

The thing that sets implants apart is that they replace the tooth roots. However, for this to be attainable, you need to have a healthy jawbone. So, when the implant is placed in the jaw bone, your body needs to generate enough healthy bone to hold the implant in place. This is when the healing process commences.

When the jawbone grows around the implant and fuses with it is known as osseointegration. Over time, the implant will become a part of your body, even though it is an artificial root.

How long the jaw will take to heal after the implant has been placed will vary from person to person. But in most cases, osseointegration will take at least a few months before a crown or a denture is placed.

Three or so days after the surgery, you will be required to keep the area clean and dry. However, you can expect some swelling and bleeding as your mouth adjusts to the new root.

You will need to keep your dental appointments after the surgery so that our dentist can monitor the progress. These checkups will help our dentist determine when you will be ready for permanent tooth replacement.

Remember, the process can take anywhere between three to six months, depending on your specific situation and body.

How to Care for the Implant

After you undergo such surgery, you will need to take it easy since you don’t want to have issues with your implant years to come. Proper care is essential since your oral health depends on it.
Therefore, you need to treat your implants like your natural teeth. Remember that once the titanium post fuses with your jawbone, it becomes a part of your mouth. This means that it can be susceptible to dental issues like the other teeth.

After the surgery, brush the implant gently and avoid biting into hard objects and food that might damage the implant. Plus, avoid eating foods that can get stuck in the implant area, such as rice, popcorn, and nuts.

Also, steer clear from strenuous activities since these activities can promote bleeding, pain, and swelling, affecting the healing time.

Our dentist often recommends lifestyle changes such as changing your diet, quitting smoking, and practising proper oral hygiene to maintain and care for the implant.

Getting dental implants in Pearland, TX, is a good idea. However, you must be willing to follow the recommendations, and you will be fine. Contact us at Harmony Dental for dental implants near you.