Recovery time after having dental implants placed can vary from patient to patient depending on how extensive your procedure was and whether or not you need bone grafting. However, that being said, typically patients recover fairly quickly and easily. Your actual healing time may take several weeks, but you’ll most likely feel fine after just a few days.
Las Vegas dentist Dr. Jorge Paez will walk you through recovery guidelines and what to expect after your procedure. If you are interested in dental implants, call us today at 702-737-3553 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
What Is Dental Implant Recovery Like?
The majority of patients have a pretty easy time with recovery after having dental implants placed. Pain and discomfort can be easily managed with medication that Dr. Paez will prescribe, and you should be able to eat solid foods after just a few days. Most patients don’t even have to take any time off of work.
It’s very important to maintain good dental hygiene and come to all of your scheduled dental appointments with Dr. Paez in order to ensure that you heal well with no complications. Your risk of complication rises if you:
- Smoke
- Chew tobacco
- Practice poor dental hygiene
If you are a heavy smoker and don’t think you can quit, you may not be a good candidate for dental implants. In addition, if you have an uncontrolled medical condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes, this may also raise your risk of implant failure. These medical conditions don’t automatically disqualify you from dental implants, but you will need to get them under control in order to be a good candidate.
How Long Does The Dental Implant Process Take?
It can take several months for your dental implant process to be completed. It will take longer if you need to have a bone graft done, as you will need to wait for the graft to take before having your implant surgery.
After your dental implant is placed, you will need to wait for the process of osseointegration to take place. Osseointegration is when the implant fuses with your jawbone to create a permanent and stable base for a crown. The implant actually takes the place of your tooth root, which helps provide structure and prevent bone loss in the jaw.
Typically, the full dental implant process will involve the following steps:
- Consultation to make sure you are a good candidate and dental implants are the most appropriate choice for you
- Bone graft surgery if you have insufficient bone density in your jaw
- Placement of the dental implant
- Attachment of the abutment and crown
It may seem like a long process, but the majority of patients find that the end results are worth it. Once a dental implant is placed, that’s it. Your implant should last the rest of your life with proper care. Plus, your jaw will be able to retain its structure so that you don’t end up with the “collapsed” appearance that many denture wearers have.
Schedule Your Dental Implant Consultation
If you are missing teeth and are interested in dental implants, don’t hesitate to contact Las Vegas dental implant dentist Dr. Jorge Paez today at 702-737-3553 to schedule your complimentary consultation. We serve patients in Spring Valley, Summerlin, and other nearby areas of Las Vegas, Nevada.