At Bishop Family Dental, we can provide you with information regarding post-op care for dental implants. While implants are the most durable and natural-looking way to replace your missing teeth, it does require oral surgery. This means you also have to consider the recovery process. If you’re interested, visit our Salt Lake City, Utah, dental office where we will examine your teeth, take X-rays, and walk you through what to expect during and after the implants procedure, including the recovery process. For more information, we encourage you to call 801-274-2500 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Daniel Bishop. IBut to start you off, here are a few basics you should know:
WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE THE IMPLANT PROCEDURE?Prior to getting started, Dr. Daniel Bishop will examine your teeth to check for cavities or infections in any of your other teeth or if you have gum disease. If you do have these dental issues, they have to be treated before implants can be placed. It is critical that you are in good oral health before starting the implant process. This examination and X-rays will also determine if your jaw bone has enough density to support dental implants. If it does not, you may need to undergo a bone grafting procedure before getting implants.
CAN ANYTHING SLOW DOWN THE RECOVERY PROCESS?Yes, if you are a diabetic and are unable to control your blood sugar, your condition can make it more difficult for you to recover from the procedure. Therefore, please tell us if you have had a recent diabetic episode to help us properly time your implant surgery for the best possible results.
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR THE SURGERY?HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR THE SURGERY? At our 84124 dental office, we encourage our patients to have some soft ice packs in their freezers. Using these packs can help to reduce swelling, especially if you take Ibuprofen while doing so. You should also stock up on soft foods and plan to take a few days off work. You will have swollen and sore gums for a few days. So, while you might be able to work, you will not be 100% capable and could have difficulty communicating like normal. If you need to work, ask for lighter tasks for a few days or if you can work from home.
WHAT CAN I EAT AFTERWARD?At Bishop Family Dental, we recommend you eat soft foods that are not too hot or too cold. You could, for example, eat warm yogurt and soft cheese and fruit smoothies. This way, you won’t irritate your gums while receiving the nutrition you need. You can gradually shift to normal food but still refrain from eating anything hard, sharp, or hard to chew for several days. For example, remove the bacon before eating a hamburger or have an omelet instead of a waffle. During your recovery, you need to make these temporary adjustments so you can eat what you need without harming your gums.
HOW DO I TREAT THE SITE OF THE SURGERY OR MY GUMS IN GENERAL?We will provide you with gauze before you leave our Salt Lake City, Utah, dental office. It is natural to experience some bleeding. Before you leave, Dr. Daniel Bishop will ensure that any bleeding is at a manageable level, and by using gauze for the remainder of the day, it should stop. To keep your gums clean, we could provide you with a medicated rinse that you can use to rinse your mouth. However, you can just rinse your mouth with warm salt water throughout the day. Make sure to also brush your other teeth while taking care to not irritate your gums.
WHEN CAN I GO BACK TO WORK?You will most likely be sore and experience swelling for the next three to five days. This is why we recommend scheduling the procedure near the end of the week so you can take a couple of days off work and use the weekend to recover. Typically, if you have the procedure on a Friday, you could go back to work by Wednesday. If you go back to work sooner, you might not want to schedule important meetings or client appointments within your recovery period, but just do light work and email communication.
WILL IT SHOW THAT I HAD IMPLANT SURGERY?Yes, your face will be swollen for the first few days. While no one will be able to say for certain what kind of oral surgery you had, people will be able to tell that you had surgery. Do not worry, this is perfectly normal. While it can be uncomfortable for a few days, having a natural-looking and durable replacement tooth at the end of it makes the hassle worthwhile. At Bishop Family Dental, we also provide our Salt Lake City patients with a temporary denture to wear. This will temporarily restore your smile while your crown is being fabricated. If you live in the 84124 area and want a discreet solution, wearing a temporary denture is a must.
WHAT IS THE RECOVERY PROCESS AFTER THE ATTACHMENT OF THE TOOTH?Once your jawbone has regenerated and fused with the titanium implant, your jaw will now serve as a permanent base of support for your replacement tooth. In short, the replacement tooth will be as strong as a natural tooth. Since the invasive part of the procedure is when we surgically implant the post, attaching the crown will not be an issue. Your gums might feel slightly sensitive, but this can be easily controlled with Ibuprofen. You shouldn’t experience swelling or need a long recovery time during this part of the process. This means you’ll go through the recovery process just once.
To learn more about post-op care for dental implants in Salt Lake City, Utah, call 801-274-2500 and schedule an appointment with our dentist. Dr. Daniel Bishop will be happy to answer any questions you have, so you can be confident in your decision to get started.
