Dental Implant Recovery

Care and Recovery

If you've lost teeth, dental implants can make a huge difference in how you look and how you feel about your smile. They can also make eating, talking, and other everyday activities much easier and less stressful. A consultation with Dr. Gary Green can help you decide if dental implants are the right choice for you.

The placement of dental implants is a more complicated procedure than many other cosmetic dentistry options. The procedure takes place in two stages. First, the implant is placed directly into the jawbone. Afterwards, the implants must be left to heal for as long as a few months. During this time, the implant integrates with the bone.

Several factors will help your recovery after having dental implants placed. These include:

• Thorough oral hygiene
• Sufficient rest
• Over the counter pain medication

Up to 5 to 10% of dental implants fail. The cause can often be traced to poor oral hygiene during the recovery period. Lack of careful care for your teeth and gums after dental implants can lead to chronic swelling of the gums, which can cause the implants to not heal properly.

While many patients report little discomfort, if you do experience pain or soreness after the procedure, it can usually be managed with over the counter medications. Consult with Dr. Green to be sure you're using the best medications for your particular needs.

There may also be some swelling, bleeding, or soreness that comes from the jawbone, but this is generally short-lived and fairly minor.

Mini Dental Implants

If you've chosen to have mini dental implants, the recovery period is much shorter and more comfortable. Some advantages to mini dental implants include:

• Mini implants can be placed in a single appointment
• It's not necessary to make incisions in the gums
• Mini implants don't require a long healing interval

Whichever kind of implants you have be sure to follow the recommendations for after care that Dr. Green gives you. Being very careful to follow these instructions exactly will increase your chances of a comfortable, successful recovery.

In the Caldwell, Essex County, Livingston, and Verona, Newark, and Passaic, New Jersey area, please contact experienced prosthodontist G. Gary Green, DMD, for more information about dental implants.