Smile Schedule: When Can I Return to Work After Implant Surgery?

Many experts consider dental implants the ideal way to replace missing teeth because of their unique benefits. They’re the only restorations embedded into your jawbone, which provides several advantages over alternatives like dentures or dental bridges.

However, because they involve oral surgery, they’re also the only prosthetics that require a lengthy recovery period. Many patients have questions about what happens during healing, like when they can return to work after their procedure. Keep reading to learn about 3 factors that can affect your recovery timetable so you know what to expect!

Consideration #1: The Number of Implants Received

Although many patients only have a single tooth that went
missing, others need to close wider gaps in their grins or replace an entire
arch. Fortunately, dental implants are a versatile solution that your dentist
can use to restore one, several, or a complete row of teeth. For example, two
implants can be placed on each side of a space in your smile to anchor a dental
bridge, or four to eight can support permanent dentures.Patients receiving fewer implants will likely heal faster
because there will be less bruising, swelling, and other post-surgical effects
to heal from.

Consideration #2: Additional Procedures Required

These restorations are the only replacement teeth with a
titanium rod surgically placed in your jaw. Once it’s in position, your jawbone
eventually fuses with it in a process called osseointegration. This stage of
recovery is essential for a successful implant because if you don’t produce
enough new bone growth, your prosthetic could become destabilized or fail
altogether.That means your dentist will ensure that you have sufficient
jawbone density to support implants before proceeding. Sometimes, patients need
an additional bone graft treatment to bulk up their jaw, which can take three
to six months to heal.

Consideration #3: Compliance With Post-Op Instructions

Your dental team will provide instructions to follow after
your procedure intended to help you heal effectively without developing
complications. For example, they may ask you to stick to soft foods for a few
days or avoid brushing and flossing for the first 24 hours.Following their directions is key to preventing possible
issues, like peri-implantitis, a form of gum disease that can infect and erode the
connective and bone tissues around your prosthetic, causing it to fail. You can usually return to work after a couple of days, but
it depends on your circumstances. If you’re unsure how long you must wait
before clocking back in, the best way to find out is to ask your dentist!

About the Practice

Patients at Ridgefield Perfect Smile Center benefit from a
team of compassionate dentists who share 30+ years of combined experience helping
people of all ages build happy, healthy smiles. They are committed to staying
on top of the latest developments in dental technology and techniques through
memberships in several prestigious organizations, like the Academy of General
Dentistry. They can provide every stage of the implant procedure in the office,
including surgery, to streamline your experience and avoid needing additional outside
providers. You can request an appointment on the website or call (203)
438-8919.