My New Dental Implant Looks Great; When Can I Go Back to Work?

Dental implants are remarkable prosthetic devices designed to replace lost teeth with beautiful and functional restorations that look, work, and feel just like the real thing. These appliances are placed through a specialized surgical process, so it’s important to follow your dentist’s instructions as to how to care for your mouth while the gum and jawbone tissue heals around them. Here’s a quick look at how dental implants are placed, what the recovery process looks like, and how soon you can expect to be able to return to work.

How Are Dental Implants Placed?

The process of placing one or more dental implants always begins with the patient receiving an appropriate anesthetic to ensure that they feel no pain. When the patient is ready, the dentist will make small incisions in the gum tissue and place small titanium rods in the jawbone. Then, they will close the gum tissue around the appliances. The dentist will also be sure to provide the patient with detailed aftercare instructions so they know exactly how to keep their new implants healthy while they fuse with the jawbone structure through the natural process of osseointegration. The final restoration can be placed after osseointegration is complete.

When Can I Return to Work After Receiving Dental Implants?

Some patients are able to return to work the day after dental implant surgery, but others may need to wait a few days before they can do so. This can depend on factors like the complexity of the particular surgery, the patient’s overall health, and how quickly their body tends to heal. If the patient has a job that involves physical labor, it may be best for them to take a day or two off to prevent undue stress to their new implants.

How Else Can I Keep My Dental Implants in Good Shape?

It’s normal to experience some minor bleeding, discomfort, swelling, and bruising around the site of the dental implant after it is placed, but these symptoms should go away on their own after several days. To keep your healing process as quick and complication-free as possible, stick to tips like:

• Practicing excellent oral hygiene while taking care to be especially gentle near the implant
• Rinsing with salt water several times a day to reduce inflammation
• Sticking to a soft diet to avoid stressing the implant during the chewing process
• Avoiding sweet, spicy, and acidic foods and beverages to prevent irritation of the soft tissue
• Refrain from intense physical activity for several days
• Abstain from tobacco and alcohol during the healing process

Many patients report that receiving a dental implant is a significantly more comfortable process than having a tooth extracted. Consulting with your dentist can help you understand the best way to restore your smile.

About the Author

Dr. David Crescenzo earned his dental degree at Georgetown Dental School and keeps his skills sharp with continuing education coursework. He has studied cosmetic and implant dentistry through the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies and is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry. His office in Hammonton offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as implant services. If you are curious about dental implants, contact the office online or dial (609) 561-0058.