Smiling is just one of the many ways in which we communicate with people.

But, for those who struggle with the look of their teeth, or have unfortunately experienced tooth loss, many turn to surgery to improve their confidence and look of their smile.

If you’ve been considering dental implants for a while, then as part of your research into the procedure, it’s vital to understand the recovery process.

The dental implant procedure is relatively low-risk and involves having an implant surgically placed into the jawbone.

The surgery comprises of a number of different procedures and each one needs to allow time for healing, which of course impacts the recovery process.

After the bone grows around the implant, a specialist dentist will then place an abutment on top of it, which supports the dental crown.

Once this has been completed, the recovery process can begin.

What is the recovery time of a dental implant?

As mentioned, the dental implant procedure is low-risk, which means the recovery time is reasonably short.

It typically takes up to four weeks to fully recover from dental implant surgery, following completion of the final procedure.

This is because dental implants require a period of healing time between procedures, particularly for the time taken to allow for the bone to grow around the implant.

This is to ensure the implant has bonded to the jawbone tissue sufficiently.

Although in most cases the recovery time is around four weeks, this also depends on the level of grafting the patient needs.

Where the tooth or teeth in question need fitting usually determines the level of grafting needed.

For example, if a tooth is located at the back of the mouth, as there is more space, this makes it much easier to fit, meaning minimal grafting.

This makes for a slightly shorter recovery time, but this can, of course, depend on the individual and how they look after themselves during the healing process.

What can I expect after having a dental implant?

Most people can get on with life as normal after having a dental implant fitted.

But, just like plenty of other cosmetic procedures, you may notice some discomfort or side effects during the healing process.

In most cases, patients will potentially experience soreness, slight swelling, bruising and bleeding to the mouth area.

If any grafting has taken place, the healing time will usually be longer and the patient will most likely experience more discomfort post-surgery due to the lengthier healing process.

A patient can also help themselves on the path to a speedier recovery by following the tips recommended by their dentist.

Top tips to dealing with the dental implant recovery process

There are plenty of ways in which a patient can ensure they’re on the road to a speedy recovery following a successful dental implant procedure.

These include:

A soft food diet

Although it doesn’t speed up the recovery process, choosing soft foods will certainly help to make eating much more comfortable for the patient.

Lifestyle choices

Alongside eating the right foods, the recovery process can be hindered through unconsidered lifestyle choices.

Smokers will be advised to not smoke for at least one week after the surgery, as the chemicals in cigarettes can delay the healing process if significant grafting has taken place.

The same goes for alcohol, which dentists will also recommend patients avoid for at least a week after surgery.

Oral care

It goes without saying but dental hygiene is vital to keep on top of, particularly following significant grafting during the dental implant procedure.

Gentle brushing of the affected area will help to ensure the removal of any infection potentially building up around the gum, making sure there’s no plaque build-up.

Attend follow-up appointments

Your dentist will quickly be able to spot if you’re on the road to recovery, so it’s imperative that patients attend their follow-up appointments post-surgery.

By following these easy steps, a patient can ensure they have the best chance of a speedy recovery, and likely feel comfortable and confident in their newfound smile quicker.

If you’re considering a dental implant and would like more information on the procedure, the team at MedicoTrips will be more than happy to help.

If you’d like to speak with a member of the team to discuss the options you have in more detail, please give us a call on +44 (0)121 288 4552.