If you’re thinking about getting dental implants in Modesto, you’re making a great choice. Dental implants are the very best way to replace missing teeth. They look and feel natural, never move, and can last a lifetime!
However, dental implants do involve oral surgery, and it can take up to six months or longer to achieve your new smile. Wondering what to expect from the recovery process, and what happens as you heal? Read on for details about what to expect from your treatment at Downey Park Family Dentistry.
Once your numbing and/or sedation wear off, you will start to feel some discomfort after your surgery. After your treatment, you may get a prescription for pain medication to keep yourself comfortable while you recover.
It’s common for your mouth to bleed for a little while after your surgery, so follow Dr. Corey Acree’s instructions to help minimize bleeding. You’ll need to avoid brushing your implant site directly. You must also eat very soft or liquid foods, and follow Dr. Acree’s other instructions closely to minimize pain and encourage healing.
Usually, bleeding will stop within 72 hours, and this is when other symptoms like pain and swelling peak and fade. If possible, we recommend taking a day or two off of work after your surgery so that you can recover peacefully.
You should also avoid exercise and heavy exertion for at least three days, and you shouldn’t brush your extraction site directly, either. Continue using a salt water rinse or prescription mouth rinse. You should continue eating liquid and very soft foods, too.
During this time, you should start noticing less pain, discomfort, and bleeding, and you’ll definitely be able to get back to work or school and your normal day-to-day life. You can start incorporating firmer foods into your diet.
You can get back to exercising, as long as you feel up to it, though we still recommend moderation to avoid pain and discomfort. You also can start brushing your implant site very gently.
After about two weeks, your mouth will feel pretty much normal, and free of pain and other symptoms. You can brush and floss normally. You can get back to your normal diet, too, but listen to your body. Crunchy and hard foods may still cause your implant site to hurt, and if they do, you should continue avoiding them.
You may need to come back to Downey Park Family Dentistry for a follow-up so that Dr. Acree can remove your stitches, and check your healing and recovery progress. Make sure to attend any follow-ups as scheduled!
While it usually only takes about two weeks to heal from your initial surgery, it will take up to 6 months or longer for your dental implant to fully integrate with your jaw bone through the “osseointegration” process.
During this time, you’ll come back to Downey Park Family Dentistry for several follow-ups. Dr. Acree will check your recovery progress and begin crafting your dental implant restoration, such as a dental crown (false tooth). Once your implant is fully healed, he will attach an abutment to it which is a small piece of metal that connects the implant in your jaw to your new restoration.
Then, you’ll come in for your final appointment. Dr. Acree will check the fit of your new crown. If it looks good, he will attach it to your tooth permanently. Finally, you’ll be sent home to enjoy your newly-restored smile!
If you’re missing one or more teeth in Modesto, dental implants are the best way to replace them. And at Downey Park Family Dentistry, Dr. Corey Acree can provide you with the expert care you need to restore your smile. We offer comforting, personal dentistry in a judgment-free environment. If you’d like to take the first steps toward restoring your smile, don’t wait. Contact Downey Park Family Dentistry online or give us a call at (209) 529-0674 to schedule your implant consultation with Dr. Acree.