What is the Recovery Time for a Dental Implant?

Posted by Jason Mittel on January 15th, 2020

No matter why a tooth was lost, replacing it with an implant is nearly always the best solution. Therefore, it's natural to wonder about the recovery time. As you begin the process, it's wise to choose an outstanding provider. For example, the best dental implants Long Island has available come from Farber Centers in Hauppauge and Medford, NY. Dental implant surgery starts by removing the old tooth if needed. Then the implant screw itself, which is either titanium or ceramic, is inserted into your jawbone. Once the post is healed and secures in your mouth, a crown is affixed to the top. The crown is what you see and what replaces the tooth you lost. It will look virtually identical to nearby natural teeth and have excellent strength because of the underlying implant. The surgery is performed at your dentist's office under local anesthesia or sedation, depending on your preference. Implants require sufficient underlying bone, and in some cases, bone grafting or augmentation may be necessary. If so, x rays before the procedure make this clear, and the bone will either be taken from elsewhere in your body, or an artificial bony material will be used. In the upper row of teeth, sometimes sinus augmentation also may be necessary and also calls for additional bone.

As soon as the implant screw is placed in your mouth, the healing and recovery processes begin. As healing takes place, your body will naturally regenerate bone in the area, which will grow around the implant and make it firm. In dental terms, the process is referred to as osseointegration. It's one of the benefits of implants over bridges and dentures – the bone growth they stimulate keeps your jaw healthy and supports nearby teeth more fully. Also, for many people, this means keeping a more youthful facial appearance because when jawbone deteriorates, your face can appear sunken. The total recovery time for dental implants varies by person but generally is a time frame between three and four months. But you'll have a temporary tooth in place during the healing process to maintain your appearance and allow you to chew and bite into food. Immediately following the surgery and for several days, you'll need to keep the area clean and dry. Minor bleeding and some swelling may occur as happen in any spot where the body is healing and recovering. You'll be brushing and flossing your teeth as usual and maybe using an oral rinse to help keep the mouth extra clean. Also, you'll need to temporarily avoid eating foods that might get stuck in the area such as rice, nuts, and popcorn.

It's also interesting to note that it's a good idea to avoid exercise and strenuous physical activity for several days after having dental implant surgery.  As you're healing process continues, you will have follow-up visits with your dentist to determine when your implant is ready to hold the permanent crown (replacement tooth). Going forward, you will care for your implants in the same way you do your natural teeth by brushing and flossing around them. Even though they are artificial, implants are connected to the jawbone and gums, so everything needs to be kept clean and healthy. You certainly want to avoid problems down the line, and an excellent oral hygiene regimen is your best defense. Tobacco use, either chewing or smoking, have a negative effect on oral health overall, including natural teeth, gums, and implants. Sugar also diminishes oral health, and cutting down or stopping it along with tobacco will help your implants and your teeth. Even if you brush at least twice a day and floss daily, your oral health will be impacted by tobacco and sugar. Having the right information and making healthy lifestyle choices will benefit you in the long run.

Jason Mittel is the author of this article. For further detail about Dental Implants Long Island please visit the website.