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Modern dental implants can effectively restore your dental function and appearance. However, getting dental implants requires oral surgery and so takes a bit of planning. For instance, implant patients typically must schedule a day or two off work for recovery. Want to know how quickly you will be able to return to work after dental implant surgery in Philadelphia? Keep reading to learn about the different factors that may influence your recovery timetable.
Factors That Affect Dental Implant Recovery
Here are several factors to consider when planning your return to work after dental implant surgery.
1. Number of Implants
In general, the more dental implants you receive, the longer your timetable will be for returning to work. Patients who only receive one or two implants face an easier recovery compared to those who receive four or more. If you’re set to obtain more than a couple of implants, you may want to schedule your surgery around a weekend. For example, if you get your implants placed on Thursday, you could rest for the next few days before returning to work on Monday.
2. Bone Grafting
You must have a strong, thick jawbone to support dental implants. If your bone is too weak, your dentist may recommend a bone grafting procedure. Bone grafting uses tissue from elsewhere in your body or a tissue bank to strengthen the implant site. While minor bone grafts are unlikely to significantly affect your return to work, more complex ones may require additional recovery time.
3. Preexisting Medical Conditions
Personal medical factors may also play a role in the length of your recovery from dental implant surgery. Patients with chronic medical issues such as a compromised immune system, hormonal imbalance, or a history of substance abuse may experience delayed recovery times. In these cases, patients should plan on resting for up to a week after implant surgery before returning to their everyday routine.
Dental Implant Surgery Aftercare Tips
After your dental implant surgery, your dentist will provide you with a personalized set of aftercare instructions. Regardless of the factors mentioned above, it is very important that you follow these instructions to ensure a successful recovery. Common implant surgery aftercare tips include:
- Rest up! Avoid strenuous exercise for at least 48 hours after surgery.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Avoid smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol.
- Clean your teeth as normal with a toothbrush but avoid brushing the surgical site for the first few days.
- Rinse with warm salt water to clean your mouth and help along the healing process.
- Eat soft foods like apple sauce, yogurt, smoothies, and scrambled eggs for a few days.
- Take prescription or over-the-counter medication as directed by your dentist to manage any swelling or discomfort.
Dental implants can revitalize your appearance, dental function, and daily quality of life. Although every patient’s recovery timetable is slightly different, following the tips above will help ensure you’re back to your daily routine in almost no time at all.
About the Practice
Dentex Dental Group is the largest dental office in all of Northeast Philadelphia. Our six skilled dentists use state-of-the-art technology to create personalized implant treatment plans and can perform every step of the process in-house. To learn more about dental implant surgery in Philadelphia, explore the Dentex Dental Group website or call 215-677-3904.