What to Expect After Dental Implant Surgery
If you need dental implant surgery, you probably have a lot of questions about what you should do before and after the procedure. It’s important to be informed about the recovery process, so you can get everything in order before the surgery. Your doctor will give you specific instructions for your recovery, but most people have similar experiences after their surgery to make sure your implant is a success.
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Immediately After Dental Implant Surgery
For surgery, a Dental implant requires an anesthetic, so you need to have someone drive you home after the procedure. Before your surgery, arrange for a friend or family member to drive you to your dentist, take you home, and take care of you for the rest of the day. Your dentist may also suggest that you have someone take care of you the day after the surgery.
There will be gauze packs placed over the surgical area. In the first hour after your surgery, bite down on them gently to control bleeding. Change the gauze after about an hour, and continue changing it occasionally as long as bleeding persists.
The anesthetic will wear off shortly after your surgery, and some pain and discomfort is normal. Your dentist may prescribe you a pain medication or suggest over-the-counter painkillers. As long as your dentist approves, take the pain medication as soon as possible after the surgery to minimize discomfort.
The First Week of Recovery
Swelling is normal for the first few days following your surgery. Your dentist will probably instruct you to use ice packs and keep activity to a minimum while the swelling goes down. You’ll also probably have to take an antibiotic and use saltwater rinses to prevent infection.
It will probably be a few days before you can go back to eating your normal diet. You should consume lots of fluids and eat soft foods while the surgical areas are healing.
While you recover, you should avoid:
- Straws
- Extremely hot foods
- Carbonated beverages
- Foods like rice or nuts that could get stuck in surgical sites
Once you’ve healed from the implant surgery and have had the crowns placed, you’ll take care of them just like you take care of your natural teeth. Brushing twice a day and flossing twice a day is essential for keeping implants clean and healthy. You should also visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups on your implants.
If you need dental implant surgery in St. Augustine, contact Palencia Dental today. At our office, you can meet with an experienced dentist in St. Augustine to discuss surgery and other dental procedures.
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