Dental Implants: What’s the Recovery Time? 

If you have missing teeth or a missing tooth, you may be a good candidate for a dental implant. While dental implant surgery can restore your smile, it is a surgery that takes place over multiple appointments, and there is a period of required healing time. Here’s what you should know about dental implant surgery, the recovery time, and what to expect—

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant surgery involves replacing tooth roots with screw-like posts (called implants), and then replacing damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth that are attached to the dental implants. Because the implants are secured within the bone, dental implants look and feel like real teeth, they can be used to replace a single missing tooth, multiple teeth or even all of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw and are not removable, unlike dentures. 

Dental Implant Surgery Process

While there are many benefits of dental implant surgery, including that the dental implant will be secured within the bone and therefore teeth will be very stable, the surgery often requires several procedures. This is because after the implants are placed, the bone must heal tightly around the dental implant, which can take many months. After the bone healing is complete, then the abutment and artificial tooth can be placed and secured. 

Recovery Time for Dental Implant Surgery

As mentioned above, bone healing can take months. However, that doesn’t mean that you’ll be in pain for weeks or that you won’t be able to return to your job or other activities soon after your initial dental implant surgery. Most patients report that swelling and pain subside within 1-3 days of the surgery, and some patients even return to work the same day! When you decide to return to your normal activities will depend on your personal pain threshold and preferences. You may be given a prescription for pain relief medication; otherwise, over-the-counter painkillers are a great option for managing pain after a dental implant surgery. 

Learn More About Dental Implant Surgery Today

If you are missing a tooth, you may be a good candidate for dental implant surgery. Dental implant surgery is for those who have a missing tooth (sometimes multiple teeth) but who have healthy gums and bones otherwise. At Distinctive Dental Solutions, we are happy to provide you with a consultation where our dentists perform a thorough dental examination and make a recommendation about the best treatment options for you. If you are a candidate for dental implant surgery, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know, including expected recovery time. 

Reach out to us today to get started. We are accepting new patients.