Lincoln Dental Implant Surgery Recovery: Tips for Faster Healing

Getting dental implants is a major decision, which is why it's important to Dr. Andrew Glenn that his patients understand what that decision entails. This is why patients throughout the greater Lincoln area trust Dr. Glenn: he will talk about the entire process and what it entails, including what healing is like. It's true that dental implants are an ideal treatment for people who are missing teeth, yet knowing the unvarnished risks and benefits involved means a better treatment experience overall.

Healing Will Take Time: The Importance of Osseointegration

The overall healing period for dental implants surgery will take up to nine months. The reason for this is the need for osseointegration to take place. Osseointegration refers to the fusion of the dental implants with the jawbone and the gum tissue. Only when this merging of the implant with the natural tissues of the mouth have taken place will the dental implant be strong enough to support a dental appliance such as a denture, a dental bridge, or an individual dental crown.

Take Any Medication as Directed

In the early days of healing, it's important that you take any medication as directed. This will help you reduce pain and discomfort that is common when the surgery is first performed. Do not exceed the recommended dosage as this can have negative effects on your health.

Adjust Your Diet: Soft Foods Are Key

Another key to healing after dental implant surgery is eating foods that are soft and do not have hard crumbs that can get caught in gaps or sutures. This includes:

Yogurt
Eggs
Soup
Apple sauce
Mashed potatoes

Any foods that require as little chewing as possible are very helpful as you are healing for surgery. You can gradually incorporate harder foods as you continue to heal, though it's a good idea to clear certain foods with your dentist or oral surgeon first.

Cold Compresses Can Help with Early Recovery

Bruising and swelling are both common issues that people face in the first days and weeks after oral surgery. The use of cold compresses helps manage these problems and can even assist in the reduction of pain and discomfort.

Focus on Rest and Don't Push Yourself

It's important to focus on healing after you undergo oral surgery, which means getting a lot of rest early on and not trying to push yourself too hard and too early. Certain exercises and different kinds of strenuous physical activities will need to be avoided until you are closer to being fully healed.

Avoid Smoking and Tobacco Products

Smoking and the use of tobacco products will affect your healing ability, making the recovery process take much longer than it usually would and increasing the risks of treatment failure. Rather than risk the possibility of complications, you should avoid smoking and chewing tobacco in general, both in the weeks leading into surgery and the years after the procedure is performed.

Keep In Touch and Attend All Scheduled Follow-Up Appointments

Over the course of the healing process, you will head into the practice for follow-up care to monitor the progress of your healing. Be sure to keep all of your appointments. It's also a good idea to contact the practice in case of pressing needs or if you have questions that need quick answers. This level of engagement with the practice as you heal will help prevent complications from occurring and improve your overall treatment experience.

Learn More About Recovering from Oral Surgery

For more information about dental implants and what you can do to improve your recovery time and recovery experience following oral surgery, it's important that you contact our dental care center today. During your visit with Dr. Glenn, you'll receive all the information that you need to make smart choices about your dental health.

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