Whether you’ve recently gotten a dental implant or are considering getting one, you should know what life’s like once you commit to it. Although it may not seem like a huge deal, there are quite a few dental implant healing stages to pay attention to. These stages help to ensure your bones and facial structure adjust to the newly-placed implant.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a fake tooth screwed inside your gums and jaw. Made purely out of titanium, dental implants help to replace missing teeth and are the best solution if you do not want to undergo cosmetic surgery. In addition, dentists usually suggest getting an implant as a more permanent solution. Rather than temporary alternatives like dentures, crowns, or bridges, dental implants are strong and last for a solid 20 to 30 years.
Moreover, since implants are curated out of titanium, your body doesn’t have any adverse reaction to them. This is because titanium is highly compatible with the hard tissues in your body. Plus, it’s rust-proof. This makes for a good tooth replacement as dental implants help with chewing and give off an appearance resembling real teeth.
How Long Does It Take For Gums To Heal After Dental Implants?
The recovery time depends entirely on how you take care of your oral health after the surgery. On average, it can take around six weeks to heal properly. However, in regards to your gums, they can heal on their own in as little as 10 to 15 days.
That being said, it is important to keep in mind that the number of teeth removed also plays a hand in your healing time. Not to mention, your overall health stats, along with your age, can positively or negatively influence the recovery process too.
Dental Implant Healing Stages
When it comes to the healing stages after getting a dental implant, there are five key phases to look out for.
Stage 1: Post Surgery Care
Immediately after the surgery, your dentist will advise you to take it easy. Avoid strenuous activities such as physical exercise, eating hard foods, using the side of the mouth affected, or smoking tobacco.
Stage 2: Soft Tissue Repairment
This stage lasts for around two weeks. During this time, your gums are swollen and tender as the soft tissues inside heal at a slower pace.
Stage 3: Adjusting to the Implant
Your facial bones will take some time to adjust to the new implant. The feeling of a foreign object inside your mouth can last for several weeks. Due to this, opening and closing your mouth might seem like a challenge.
Stage 4: Bone Healing Process
Your jawbone will take quite a few months to adjust to the new object. It will have to heal and grow around the implant over due time.
Stage 5: Maintenance & Care
Once your mouth has completely healed, following up with proper maintenance and care is essential. Visit your dentist occasionally to get regular updates and checkups.
How To Heal Faster After Dental Implants
In order to heal at a faster rate after undergoing dental implant surgery, it’s vital to avoid eating foods that can damage or offset the new implant. Hold yourself back from devouring anything that’s crunchy, chewy, hard, crispy, etc. Here are further steps you can implement to recover quickly:
- Get a lot of rest.
- Follow the dentist’s instructions to a T.
- Immediately clean away blood clots with a saltwater solution.
- Take your prescribed medicines on time.
- Stick to a strict diet, allowing the muscles in your mouth to adjust.
- Apply ice packs to reduce swelling.
- Keep checking in with your dentist through frequent visits.
What’s Next?
If you want to get back to eating your favorite food, follow the above-mentioned dental implant healing stages. For more information, contact Waller Dental at (936) 372-2673.