Dental implants in Cookeville are one of the most popular dental procedures designed to replace missing teeth.
Because of the way this procedure is structured, dental implants provide a way to restore both the look and function of your smile in a way that is virtually undetectable to the outside world. However, if you’ve been researching dental implants, you likely wonder what the post-procedure healing stage will look like.
After all, healing after implant surgery can take even as long as 6 months. So what exactly happens during this stage?
Dental Implant Healing Timeline
To understand why dental implants take such a long time to heal, it’s worth first going over how the procedure is structured.
A dental implant is made of 3 components: the metal post, the abutment, and the dental crown, which is the visible part of the implant.
The healing period takes place after the surgeon inserts the metal post in place of the missing tooth. You will only be able to receive the other 2 components once the site has fully healed to ensure the metal post is properly fixed and supported by the jaw bone.
Here is a short overview of the dental implant healing timeline:
- 1-2 days post-surgery: Right after the implant gets inserted, your body will begin to heal around the implant and begin the process called osseointegration. It’s possible to experience some pain, mild discomfort, and even mild bleeding right after surgery, but the symptoms should progressively wear off;
- 1-week post-surgery: Most of the symptoms usually go away 1 week after the procedure. The site continues to heal;
- 4-6 months post-surgery: The site can appear to be fully healed to the naked eye just a few weeks after surgery. However, the process of osseointegration is a bit slower and will need several months to allow the jaw bone to properly fuse to the metal post.
How to Care for a Dental Implant
The healing timeline can be affected by many different factors, some of which may be in your control. Here are some aftercare tips to help your implant heal:
- Stay on top of your oral health and clean the mouth every single day
- Don’t brush directly over the implant site
- Avoid chewing on the side of the implant
- Opt for softer foods that don’t require a lot of chewing, especially in the first few days after surgery
- Avoid strenuous activities 1-2 days post-surgery
- Monitor your recovery and reach out to the dentist as soon as you notice any concerning signs, such as bleeding, pain, fever, etc.
Interested in Dental Implants? Stop by Dogwood Family Dental!
If you have one or more missing teeth and want to know if dental implants are right for you, Dogwood Family Dental can help you access the best treatment plan to restore your smile.
Book an appointment with Dr. Taylor Enochs Engler today.
