You might consider getting dental implants to restore your smile if you’re missing one or more teeth. Unlike dentures, implants provide a permanent solution for missing teeth by placing a natural-looking artificial tooth on an abutment with a titanium post that fuses to your jawbone. Dental implanting is a common and minimally invasive restorative dentistry procedure.
If you’re asking yourself, “How long do implants take to heal?” you’re not alone. As a top provider of dental implants in New Orleans, LA, Dental Arts of New Orleans is here to share everything you need to know about dental implant healing and recovery.
How Long It Takes To Recover From a Dental Implant Procedure
How long do implants take to heal? Simply put, the time to recover from the procedure is about two weeks depending on how many dental implants are placed. Furthermore, dental implants involve more than the allotted two weeks of healing time.
Get a better understanding of how a dental implant heals by learning these facts and tips about dental implant recovery.
You’ll Have Two Recovery Phases With Dental Implants
Dental implant surgery has two phases of recovery. First, you’ll recover from the surgery, which takes roughly two weeks, if not less. However, it will take three to six months for the titanium posts the surgeon implants into your gum tissue to successfully bond to your jawbone.
The second phase of recovery is after the dental implants fuse to the jawbone. You may or may not have another appointment at which the dentist or surgeon places the healing cap over the dental implant (if it was not placed the day of the initial surgery). The healing cap creates the space for the future dental implant crown.
The soreness from both procedures will last for a few days and heal completely within two weeks.
The First Week Is Usually the Hardest Time
Though you won’t feel anything during the dental implant surgery due to numbing and sedation, you will likely feel some slight discomfort in the first 24 hours after the procedure. Your dentist or surgeon may prescribe medication, or you can take over-the-counter pain relievers like Ibuprofen (Advil) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol) to ease the discomfort.
It’s best to rest for a day or two after getting dental implants placed in order to let your body begin its healing process. The discomfort may peak around the second or third day, but you can rest, apply ice, and take medication.
During this time, you’ll stick to a diet of soft foods to help the area clot and heal itself. You can also resume most of your daily activities that don’t require heavy exertion which can cause discomfort around the surgical site. After the first week, you can go back to your normal diet, brush your teeth and the implant site, and exercise.
Different Factors Affect Recovery Time
No two patients are identical, so some may require a shorter or longer healing period after getting dental implants. For instance, it might take a little longer for people to heal if they get multiple implants or one or more dental implants in their lower jawbone, which takes longer to recover.
Some patients also need bone grafting before the procedure. Bone grafting is often necessary if a person is a good candidate for dental implants but needs extra support in their jawbone to fuse to the implant. Recovery will be longer to accommodate the extra procedure.
Turn to Dental Arts of New Orleans for Your Dental Implant Needs
If you’re still wondering, “How long do implants take to heal?” or “How long do dental implants last?” Dental Arts of New Orleans is here to help. Our experienced dental practice has almost 40 years of experience providing individualized dental and orthodontic care to patients throughout New Orleans. The board-certified practitioners at our family-owned and -operated practice provide full-mouth dentistry to help patients improve their oral health and smiles. Call 504-645-5697 to request a consultation with the compassionate team at Dental Arts of New Orleans.
