HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO HEAL FROM DENTAL IMPLANTS?
Dental implants have become the number one go-to option for patients wanting to replace missing teeth. The beauty about implants is that they are relatively permanent, with most patients having them for over 40 years without showing signs of wear. Implants are made of titanium and can be used to replace single missing teeth or multiple missing teeth.
INFORMATION ON DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dental implants are typically placed in areas where a patient is missing teeth. Rather than wear a removable appliance, like a denture or partial, an implant works independently to replace what you’re missing. They are solid, sturdy and fuse naturally with the underlying bone during a process that is known as osseointegration. This process can take anywhere from three months to about a year depending on the individual patient and their healing ability.
HOW LONG IS THE HEALING PROCESS?
The healing process for dental implants will vary from one patient to the next. Immediately following surgery, you can expect to have some pain and swelling. By keeping the mouth clean and free of bacteria as instructed, the area should be free of pain and swelling after about one to two weeks. However, the time it takes for the implants themselves to heal and fuse with the bone is completely different for each individual patient. Some patients find that their implants are fully healed and bonded in about three months and others can take as long as 12 months.
The best way to ensure that your implant is healing properly is by keeping up with follow-up appointments. This allows us to determine if the implant is positioned correctly and is healing in the correct manner. Likewise, if you experience severe pain, swelling or an abscess days, weeks or even months after the implant is placed, it is important to have the area checked as soon as possible.
HOW TO PREVENT IMPLANT COMPLICATIONS
The best way for you to prevent implant complications is by keeping the mouth clean during the healing process. You should stick to a soft food diet for the first week or two following surgery, and avoid eating overly chewy or hard foods until the implant completely fuses with the bone. We are here to help in providing you with aftercare instructions that are important for helping the implant to heal.
If you’re interested in dental implants and how they work, call us today so that we can get you in for a convenient consultation appointment.
