Dental implants restore a person’s normal dental function and appearance. But how soon after dental implant surgery in West Orange can you return to your normal daily routine? The number of days you should stay home from work after getting dental implants will depend on a few different factors. The most important goal, of course, is to ensure your mouth and implants heal properly. Keep reading to learn about the variables that could affect your recovery timetable and tips to speed up your return to work.
Factors That Can Affect Recovery Time
The recovery time for dental implant surgery can vary from person to person depending on a number of factors, such as those listed below.
Number of Implants
In general, patients who receive only one or two implants face the easiest recovery. If you are planning to replace a single missing tooth, you will likely have a short timetable for returning to work. However, if you will be receiving multiple implants, you may want to schedule your surgery around a long weekend. Doing so will allow more time for swelling and other post-surgical effects to subside before you return to your job.
Bone Grafting
Dental implants rely on integration with the jawbone to provide maximum support for replacement teeth. If your jawbone is not strong enough, your dentist may recommend a bone graft. This procedure involves taking bone from elsewhere in your body to replace and regenerate lost bone in your jaw. Minor bone grafts are unlikely to have a big impact on your recovery. More complex bone grafts, however, may delay your return to work.
Medical Conditions
Certain health issues, such as diabetes or auto-immune diseases, can cause slower healing rates. Be sure to share your medical history with your dentist before undergoing dental implant treatment.
Tips for a Smooth Recovery
Following your dental implant surgery in West Orange, your dentist will send you home with specific, personalized post-op instructions. Be sure to follow these instructions carefully in order to minimize your recovery time.
In addition to your dentist’s guidelines, here are some general post-op tips for a smooth recovery:
- Keep your mouth clean by brushing and flossing in between teeth that were not involved in the dental surgery.
- Use a cold compress off and on to reduce swelling and pain.
- Take pain medications as directed by your dentist.
- Do not drink through a straw, as this can dislodge the protective blood clot that forms over the implant site.
- Avoid smoking.
- Avoid strenuous exercise, as this can increase swelling around the implant site.
- Stick to a soft food diet for a few days.
By following the tips above and directions from your dentist, you will be able to recover as quickly as possible from dental implant surgery. A fully restored smile is worth the wait!
About the Author
Dr. Med Dawoud enjoys helping patients reclaim a complete smile with dental implants. A Fellow at the prestigious International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI), Dr. Dawoud performs start-to-finish implant treatment at D&G Dental. To learn more about dental implants in West Orange, visit the D&G Dental website or call 973-731-2200.