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If you are considering dental implant surgery, you might also be wondering about the recovery process. How long before you can go back to work? What factors affect your recovery? Keep reading to learn from your implant dentist in Leesburg about what to expect during the days after surgery.
What Will Determine My Recovery Time?
Your ability to return to work after getting dental implants will be determined by a combination of these factors that are relevant to you:
Following Post-Op Instructions
After the procedure, your dentist will provide you with specific post-op instructions. It’s crucial that you follow them diligently, as it can minimize your recovery time! So, make sure you keep your mouth clean to prevent infection, follow the recommended diet, and avoid alcohol and tobacco. Otherwise, you could delay healing, cause infections, and affect the long-term success of your implants.
Preexisting Medical Issues
If you have any preexisting medical issues, such as hormonal imbalance, a compromised immune system, or a history of substance abuse, you might experience a significantly delayed recovery time. Depending on your medical factors, you might want to wait several days or even a week following your surgery before returning to your day-to-day routine.
Bone Grafting
Did your dentist recommend a bone graft before you receive a dental implant? They might have done so because you don’t have sufficient bone in your jaw to support an implant. Although minor bone grafting is unlikely to extend your recovery time, more complex cases can.
Number of Implants
Generally, the more implants you get, the more time you need to recover. If you’re only receiving 1-2 implants, you can expect an easier and shorter recovery, meaning you can return to work rather quickly. Conversely, if you’re receiving more than a few implants, you should consider taking 1-2 days off work to allow swelling, bruising, discomfort, and other side effects to subside.
How Can I Set Myself Up for the Best-Possible Recovery?
It may surprise you to learn that dental implant surgery is a practically painless process. However, even if you feel physically fine shortly after the procedure, your body is still undergoing a significant adjustment before the implant is fully fused. Strenuous activity and overexertion can delay the healing process, causing increased swelling, throbbing, bleeding, and overall discomfort. Make sure you take it easy following your surgery and give your body time to rest. It’s a good idea to adjust your routine accordingly for a few days after the procedure to expedite a full recovery.
Dental implants are the premier tooth replacement option. If you will take it easy after your implant surgery, you can make sure your recovery is swift and you’ll be back to work as soon as possible.
About the Author
Dr. Giannina McBryde is a native of Peru and has been working hard for the smiles of her patients in America for two decades. To stay current on developments in the dental field, she has attended continuing education programs in four countries: America, Peru, Brazil, and Scotland. If you are interested in dental implants, Dr. McBryde can replace one tooth or all of them to give you a lasting option that looks great. To get started, schedule a consultation on her website or by calling (703) 782-5171.