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recovery time for dental implants sydney

Recovery Time for Dental Implants – Understand the Affecting Factors

When patients consider dental implants as a form of tooth replacement, one of the major areas of concern is how long it will take them to recover from the surgery. Depending on the type and number of dental implants you receive, your recovery time will vary. 

While an All-on-4 dental implant procedure boasts a quick recovery time, the standard recovery time for dental implants takes place in stages over the course of four to nine months. To narrow down the likely recovery time for dental implants, it is helpful to examine what dental implants are, what the implant procedure entails, and what dental implant recovery looks like. 

 

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a tooth replacement option for those with missing or severely damaged teeth. The implant is an artificial tooth root made of a titanium screw that is secured to your jawbone in the same location as your missing tooth. This implant fuses to your bone, creating a secure base for an artificial tooth or crown to be attached. 

 

Dental Implant Procedures

The typical dental implant procedure consists of several steps that take place over the course of about four to nine months

During your initial consultation, your dentist takes X-rays and CT scans to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. If your dentist decides you are a good fit for implants, you will be given a personalised treatment plan and begin the dental implant procedure

procedure recovery time for dental implants sydneyThe dental implant procedure involves a small surgery to place the titanium dental implants in your jaw. This is followed by a healing period to encourage osseointegration. Osseointegration refers to the fusing of your jawbone with your dental implant. This may take several weeks or months and accounts for the bulk of the recovery time for dental implants.

Once your implant has fused successfully to your jawbone, your dentist places an abutment on your implant. This device connects the implant post to your restoration. At No Gaps Dental, we offer CEREC crowns, which may be able to be placed on the same day as your abutment, cutting down the recovery time for dental implants. Using CAD/CAM technology, your dentist takes a digital impression of your mouth and mills a custom crown from a solid block of ceramic to fit on your implant. 

 

Recovery Time for Dental Implants

After your dental implant procedure, you may wonder what is the actual recovery time for dental implants. The total dental implant recovery time depends on several factors:

  • Type of dental implant procedure
  • The number of additional steps, such as bone grafting or tooth extraction
  • How well your body accepts the implants
  • The number of dental implants you receive

The average dental implant recovery time is about nine months, which takes into account every part of the procedure. Recovery from the initial surgical procedure only takes about four to six weeks, depending on your body and oral health. 

 

What Factors Could Impact Dental Implant Recovery?

In addition to the standard process for receiving dental implants, your dental implant procedure may include tooth extraction to make way for your dental implants, a sinus augmentation, or a bone graft to ensure that your dental implants are securely in place. 

A sinus augmentation is necessary if you lack enough bone on your upper jaw to hold a dental implant. This type of surgery involves grafting bone from another area to your upper jaw, lifting the sinus membrane, and bolstering the jawbone near the sinus cavity. 

A bone graft is a similar procedure performed on the lower jaw. If your dentist determines that you must undergo a sinus augmentation or bone grafting, it can add up to six months to your dental implant recovery time. 

Patients who need to replace a full arch of teeth may undergo an entirely different type of dental implant procedure called All-on-4. All-on-4 dental implants use four dental implants to support a full set of artificial teeth. This procedure is minimally invasive and can be completed in as little as a few hours. All-on-4 implants also boast a minimal dental implant recovery time. With All-on-4 dental implants, full recovery, including complete osseointegration and reduction of soreness, may be up to six months, rather than the nine or more months the traditional procedure takes to heal. 

 

Dental Implant Recovery Tips

Recovery from dental implant surgery is a long process, but there are several actions you can take to ensure that you recover as fast as possible with minimal complications. 

  • Oral Hygiene Routine

One of the best things you can do to speed up recovery from dental implant surgery is to maintain a good oral hygiene routine and follow your dentist’s specific instructions. For the first 24 hours after your initial surgery, rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater solution instead of brushing. After 24 hours have passed, resume brushing with a soft, gentle brush.

  • Take Prescribed Medication

If your dentist has prescribed pain medication or antibiotics, it is vital to take them as directed. Most dental implant surgeries only cause minor swelling or discomfort, so over-the-counter pain medications may be appropriate. 

  • Chew Gently 

The first 24 hours after surgery, avoid using a straw or drinking hot liquids. Following this period, you are free to eat normally, but it is a good idea to opt for softer foods and chew your food gently to give your mouth time to recover and reduce pressure on your new implant. 

  • Report Complications

treatment recovery time for dental implants sydneyAlthough you should expect to feel sore for a few days after your surgery, the discomfort should subside relatively quickly. The best thing you can do to aid in your dental implant recovery success is to reach out to your dentist at the first sign of a problem. If you feel intense pain, experience fever, or have extreme dizziness or nausea, call No Gaps Dental for a follow-up so your dentist can determine the issue. 

In addition to these actions, it is important to avoid tobacco products while recovering from dental implant surgery. 

 

Schedule a Dental Implant Consultation

Depending on the dental implant procedure your dentist recommends, your dental implant recovery time may be as little as a few weeks. Speak with the friendly staff at No Gaps Dental to schedule a consultation where you can talk with a dentist about getting dental implants and get an estimate of how long the procedure might take for you. Book an appointment online or call us on (02) 8806 0227.

 

 

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

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