Getting dental implants is often an exciting endeavor for patients who are eager to restore a complete smile, but it also entails some planning for before and after the procedure. For example, patients should be prepared to miss a couple days of work following dental implant placement. However, most people recover rather quickly and are able to resume typical activity within two or three days of the procedure. There may be factors specific to a patient’s case that affect the treatment timeline. If so, your prosthodontist will discuss these with you in detail so that you can know what to expect.
Please note that if you have a job that involves vigorous physical activity, you may need to give yourself a few extra days before returning to work.
In order to have minimal disruption to their routines, patients should make every effort to follow the post-operative instructions provided by the prosthodontist. Doing so will greatly reduce your risk of complications, like infection, that can extend the recovery period. Be sure to keep the implant site clean as directed, which may require altering your oral hygiene techniques in the days immediately after the surgery.
Although patients are able to resume working very soon after getting their dental implants, the complete osseointegration process in which the patient’s jaw bone fuses with the titanium implant takes several months. During this period, you may need to adjust certain aspects of your daily life, such as your diet. Your prosthodontist can give you more detail about this component of caring for your dental implants.
Restoring a complete, beautiful smile using dental implants doesn’t have to keep you out of the office for an extended period of time. Make sure that you understand your post-operative instructions to minimize your chances for complications that could keep you off of your feet for a longer period of time.
Don’t hesitate to ask us any questions you may have about recovery following dental implant placement. Call our team at Dakota Prosthodontics & Implant Center today to schedule a consultation.