Dental implant surgery is a pretty significant procedure that requires careful aftercare to ensure both a successful recovery and long-lasting results. While the surgery itself marks a crucial step towards a healthier smile, what you do in the days and weeks immediately following the procedure can vastly impact the outcome and ensure that your new smile looks, feels, and functions fantastically! Your dentist will provide specific guidelines tailored to your individual needs for this recovery, but there are still some general precautions that everyone should keep in mind. Keep reading to learn more about some of the things you should refrain from doing until your dentist gives you the green light!
The Importance of the Recovery Period
Dental implants boast an impressive success rate of over 95% and are capable of lasting for decades under optimal circumstances—but this all heavily depends on their ability to fuse with the jawbone. This process, called osseointegration, is made possible thanks to the biocompatible titanium material used to make the implant posts, and it begins occurring as soon as the implants are placed into the jawbone. Over several months, the bone matter grows around the implant posts, which serve as a stable foundation for the replacement teeth.
The bottom line is that if osseointegration isn’t able to successfully occur, the implants are unlikely to find lasting success, and a wide variety of issues can plague them. This is why careful, particular aftercare is so crucial during the recovery period.
Things You Should Avoid While Recovering
For the sake of your dental implants, steer clear of the following until your dentist gives you the okay:
- Smoking and Alcohol – Smoking and consuming alcohol can significantly hinder the body’s ability to heal, which is detrimental to your dental implants. In fact, smoking is quite problematic for one’s oral health for numerous reasons, meaning it’s even better to quit entirely if you’re planning on getting dental implants.
- Hot and Spicy Foods – These types of foods can irritate the surgical site and cause discomfort as well as potential complications. Stick to milder foods that are also soft in texture. Similarly, avoid hard or crunchy foods.
- Sports and Exercise – Vigorous exercise and strenuous physical activity can increase blood flow to the surgical area, leading to bleeding and swelling. Use this chance to kick back and relax while your body heals up!
- Drinking Through Straws – Any type of suction is bad for your mouth during this period, as it might disrupt your surgical sites. This means that drinking straws are off-limits!
Of course, you’ll have quite a lot to keep track of during this time, but you’ll also want to ensure that you’re following your dentist’s instructions closely and returning to their office whenever it’s requested, or if you’re experiencing complications. By knowing how to navigate the recovery period after dental implant surgery, you can easily avoid speedbumps and setbacks and focus on enjoying your new grin.
About the Practice
Under the leadership of Dr. Gary Markovits and Dr. Shannon Abel, the team at Maple Dental has proudly served patients and families in the White Plains, NY community for several years. Their practice is excited to offer a wide range of restorative treatment options such as dental implants for those hoping to rebuild their smiles and boost their quality of life. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to set up a consultation to see if you’re a good candidate for dental implants, don’t hesitate to visit the practice’s website or give them a call today! Telephone: (914) 948-8898.