For people in Santa Cruz, getting dental implants is big decision. You have to think about things like cost, convenience and what your new smile will look like. More importantly, however, you have to think about what happens after the procedure. Dental implants involve surgery after all, so ensuring your mouth heals properly is of utmost importance.
Caring for Dental Implants After Surgery
As with all surgical procedures, you’re going to have a wound after getting dental implants. During the first 24 hours after surgery, it’s especially important to avoid contaminating or irritating that wound. Here are some other care instructions for patients in Santa Cruz to think about:
Smoking
If you do smoke, you should wait at least two weeks after your dental implant surgery to resume, as smoking both increases the risk of infection and the risk of your implant failing to integrate.
Eating/drinking
Try to drink plenty of water and eat soft foods shortly after getting dental implants. Once you’re confident in your chewing ability, you can begin to start eating normal foods again.
Taking antibiotics
Dr. Matiasevich will prescribe certain antibiotics to prevent infection, as well as an oral rinse that you’ll use two times a day, preferably after eating.
Dealing with pain
If you do encounter soreness or pain after the surgery anesthetics wear off, you can begin taking over-the-counter medications.
Bleeding
It’s normal to experience bleeding during the first 24 hours after surgery, so use gauze pads and pressure as needed until bleeding lessens.
Swelling
You should also expect some swelling, which you can minimize with ice packs and keeping your head elevated. You should also try to avoid strenuous activity.
These are just a few care tips to think about after dental implant surgery, whether it’s a single implant or All-on-4 dental implant system. Dr. Matiasevich gives customized instructions to all of his Santa Cruz dental implant patients.
How Long Do Dental Implants Take to Heal?
Every dental implant patient is going to heal at a different rate. It’s usually dependent on the health of your mouth, any surgery complications and how well you care for your wound using the instructions in the section above. You should see immediate healing within the first one to three days. With proper hygiene, dental implants usually fuse to the jawbone and the mouth fully heals in three to six months. To learn more about dental implants, contact us today for a consultation.
