Dental Implants

Recovering after dental implants

Since the surgery normally involves exposing the bone in the area where the implant is to be placed you can expect some minor swelling and occasionally bruising afterwards.

Your surgeon will prescribe simple painkillers such as Paracetamol for you to take for a few days.

Healing is generally uneventful and any stitches are removed a week to ten days later. You should contact your surgeon if you experience high pain or swelling. Your surgeon may also prescribe a course of antibiotics and will instruct you to rinse your mouth with salt water or an antiseptic mouthwash.

Your surgeon will advise you about mouth hygiene and will ask you to come in for regular check-ups. These are two of the most important criteria for long-run success in dental implantation. If you are wearing implant-based tooth replacement you must regularly attend examinations once a year.

Your surgeon will verify the state of the attachment of the bone and of the mucosa around the implant(s) and that of the tooth replacement, and make the necessary corrections, such as removing plaque.

For most implant-supported teeth you will be able to clean around each supporting implant by brushing and flossing in just the same way that you would around natural teeth and tooth-supported bridges. In some areas special floss, interdental toothbrushes and other cleaning aids may be needed to maintain good oral hygiene.

You are expected to spend more time than you may have done in the past if you wish to maintain optimum implant health.