Dental implants are often recommended for patients with missing teeth for quite a few reasons. They’re incredibly realistic, and they outlast other tooth replacement options by decades.
However, dental implants also involve surgery—the titanium implant is surgically connected to the jaw, which is what gives them stability. However, this can raise a lot of questions for patients. If you want to know anything about how to take care of yourself after the procedure, here are the answers to some of the most common questions people ask.
Will I Be Uncomfortable?
People naturally have a lot of questions about whether they’ll be in pain in the days after the procedure. Thankfully, your dentist will already be well ahead of you. Depending on the severity of the procedure, your dentist will prescribe you painkilling medication to help you recover.
Of course, your dentist may not do that if they feel that the surgery doesn’t warrant it. In either case, you can take pain medication—prescription or over-the-counter—when the anesthesia wears off, 2-4 hours after the surgery.
Will There be Bleeding?
A little bit of blood is common after surgery, especially in the first 48-72 hours. Your doctor probably blocked the surgical area off with a little bit of gauze when they finished, which you can replace if the bleeding is heavy. If it becomes a real problem that lasts for days, you can always call your dentist to ensure that everything is normal.
Can I Drive Home After My Surgery?
Calling an Uber or getting a favor from a friend can add another thing to do on top of already-stressful surgery preparations. That said, you’ll probably be put under anesthesia for the surgery, and afterward, you will likely still be pretty groggy. Anesthetics also tend to blur people’s vision after they wear off, making driving a really bad idea. You should make arrangements before the procedure to have someone drive you home.
Of course, this is an abbreviated list of questions that you could have. If you’re wondering anything else, feel free to ask your dentist about it—they’ll be happy to put you at ease.
About the Author
Dr. Admasu Gizachew is a dentist whose top priority is changing his patients’ lives for the better. He makes it a point to spend at least two hours with new patients to get to know them on a personal level. Dr. Gizachew earned his degree from the NYU College of Dentistry, and he has received extensive dental implant training from Rutgers University.
If you have any questions about dental implant aftercare, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (732) 863-3899.