Patients of any significant procedure will always want to know how their recovery and the period following the procedure will go, and a great example here in the dental world is any dental implant procedure being carried out. Depending on the type of implant and a few other factors, there are a few basic things you should be expecting in the aftermath of any dental implant surgery.
At Hillfield Pediatric & Family Dentistry, we're happy to walk any of our Layton patients through the full process for any of our dental implant services, including immediate recovery periods once your procedure is finished. In this two-part blog series, we'll go over some general time periods to be thinking about here, plus a few specific areas to keep an eye on.
In the immediate aftermath of your dental implant procedure, how you will feel will largely depend on which type and level of sedation (if any) you had for the procedure. If you had local anesthesia, you should feel very little discomfort in the area of your implant. If you had general anesthesia or IV sedation, you may take longer to come around fully following the procedure and will likely need someone to drive you home.
You may be groggy, and may not feel like eating or drinking much afterwards. It's important to make sure you have someone there with you who can help ensure your safety and comfort during this time.
During this immediate period, you will likely be told not to poke at the implant or the wound, and to avoid chewing on that side of your mouth for at least a few days. Depending on how well you heal, this period may be extended out further; it's important to follow your dentist's instructions throughout your recovery period. You will also likely receive painkillers and antibiotics during this time, both of which should be stored carefully.
In most cases, you'll be told to refrain from brushing or rinsing the specific area your mouth that was treated for the first day following the procedure. This is to allow time for the area around the implant to heal and start forming a protective seal of gum tissue. It's important, though, that you keep all other areas of your mouth clean, as normal bacteria can still enter through there and be dangerous to your newly-implanted teeth.
You will likely have a liquid or soft diet for the day after your procedure, and it's important to stay away from any hard or crunchy foods. In most cases, you'll also be told not to drink with a straw for at least the first couple of days, as this could damage the seal that is forming around your implant. You will also almost certainly be told not to smoke.
In part two of our series, we'll go over the next few days of dental implant recovery, plus some tips on a few specific situations that may arise. For more here, or to learn about any of our general or family dentistry services, speak to our team at Hillfield Pediatric & Family Dentistry today.
