Dental implants are a popular and effective treatment option for missing teeth. While they may require a bit more time to heal than other dental procedures, the benefits can be significant. If you are considering dental implant surgery, it is vital to understand the healing process and what you can expect during and after treatment. Here is an overview of the tooth implant healing process.
An overview of dental implants
Dental implant treatment is a multi-stage process. It involves:
- Examination and Assessment to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for dental implant surgery.
- Treatment Planning where CT scans are taken to assess the shape and condition of your jawbone so the implants can be placed in the optimum position.
- Treatment Day—the day that your dental implant surgery is carried out.
- Tooth implant healing process—this typically takes around three months but can be longer. During this time, the dental implant fuses with the bone to provide a strong base on which to attach a crown (false tooth).
- Placement of the crown to complete the dental implant process.
The importance of the healing process following dental implant surgery
The success of dental implants depends on many factors, such as the quality and type of implant, the skill of the surgeon, oral hygiene, and overall health. Other factors affecting the tooth implant healing process include smoking, diabetes, or medical treatments, such as radiation therapy to the head and neck.
Smoking has been shown to be the most significant risk factor in the failure of dental implants. Patients with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing gum disease, increasing the likelihood of implant failure, and radiation therapy can also delay or impair healing after surgery. Let’s look at how you can help your body recover following dental implant surgery.
Three tips to aid healing following placement of dental implants
1. Watch what you eat
After dental implant surgery, you may need to avoid certain foods that may jeopardise the healing process and health of the implant or tissues surrounding it. Inflammation is the enemy of dental implants, and eating foods and beverages high in sodium, sugar, or carbs can increase inflammation.
It’s essential to eat nutritious meals that your body needs. Because you are recovering from an operation, you’ll need extra calories to help your body repair and recover. But you need healthy foods that will provide your body with the nutrition it needs to fight infection and help generate new cells to speed recovery. When you’re recovering, you’ll need to eat more protein, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats.
For the first few days following your implant surgery, you will need to stick to a soft food diet that doesn’t require chewing, e.g., mashed potatoes, yoghurts, and soup. As your mouth begins to heal, you can gradually start introducing solid food.
It’s also wise to avoid hot food for a week or two as it can irritate the implant site.
2. Maintain oral hygiene
We all know that brushing and flossing daily is the most effective way to keep your mouth, teeth, and gums healthy. However, you will probably need to relax this after dental implant surgery as you don’t want to disturb the implant site until after your gum has healed.
While your dentist can help you identify the best oral care routine to follow following your dental implant surgery, did you know that salt water rinses can help the healing process after oral surgery?
Gentle rinsing with salt water helps to clean the wound and remove any dried blood or other debris from the area. It also helps to lower the risk of infection. Additionally, salt has been proven to promote healing. When applied to a wound, it draws fluid out of the tissue and forms a protective barrier over the area that inhibits bacterial growth. Furthermore, salt is pH neutral and can help regulate the pH balance in the mouth, which will help reduce bacteria.
3. Minimise Swelling
Swelling can cause discomfort and increase the healing time after having dental implants placed. Your dentist will discuss over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain relief medications (such as aspirin or ibuprofen) that can help reduce swelling and minimise pain following the placement of dental implants.
You can also place a cold compress or ice pack on your cheek over the implant site. It is recommended to do it 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off, for the first 24 hours after surgery. This may be difficult to achieve if you plan to hold the compress to your face without your hand becoming cold. However, gel facial masks could be a better option, and they may have a calming effect on your skin too.
Ultimately, you can help the tooth implant healing process following surgery by boosting your body with vitamins and nutrients and avoiding anything that can impede your recovery.
Have you just had or are planning to have dental implants?
Why not contact No Gaps Dental to schedule an appointment to find out more about the healing process and other aspects of dental implants. We are committed to providing you with unsurpassed services that include keeping infections at bay by using hand sanitiser and other products. Our experienced team uses a hand sanitiser after each patient and advises that you avoid touching your face without using a hand sanitiser first when you get home.
Call us on (02) 8806 0227 today.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Mayo Clinic: Dental Implant Surgery
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dental-implant-surgery/about/pac-20384622
International Journal of Implant Dentistry: Potential Risk Factors for Early and Late Dental Implant Failure
https://journalimplantdent.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40729-020-00276-w
WebMD: Healthy Uses for Salt
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-salt-uses