What You Should Know Before and After Dental Implant Surgery

Important Things to Know Before and After Dental Implant Surgery

Now that you have decided you want dental implants, you are one step closer to getting your smile and confidence back. But maybe you’re not entirely sure what to expect next. To make the process easier, it’s important to know the following:

What should you know before dental implant surgery?

The first thing to understand is that dental implants are not a single procedure. They involve several appointments and sessions between you and the dentist.

To begin with, your jaw and mouth must be prepared for the surgery. This means the dentist will make sure there is sufficient bone density in your jaw before starting. You may also be instructed to start using a special antibacterial mouth rinse. Additionally, it can be helpful to eat before your surgery, as it may be difficult to eat afterwards. However, if you are receiving sedation or full anesthesia, the surgeon may ask you not to eat on the evening before your procedure..

What should you know after dental implant surgery?

Once your implants have been placed, you will most likely return to the clinic several times during the first week.
These visits may include removing stitches, follow-up checks, taking impressions of your jaws, or trying in your new teeth. In the case of immediate load implants, your gum tissue may heal enough within a week for you to receive a temporary, fixed prosthesis.

But the treatment doesn’t end here.
You will be asked to return in 4–6 months, once the implants have fully integrated with your jawbone. At this stage, your final dental bridge will be cemented onto the implants.

What to expect immediately after dental implant surgery

It is normal to experience some discomfort after implant surgery. Common symptoms may include:

• Slight bleeding
• Swelling of the face and gums
• Pain at the implant site
• Minor bruising

However, none of these symptoms should worry you. You will typically receive antibiotics to prevent possible infection, as well as pain medication to help relieve discomfort. Patient-focused clinics will provide you with a small bag containing all the necessary medication to take home, so you won’t need to go directly to a pharmacy, but you can go straight home and rest instead.
In most cases, any symptoms disappear within a day or two after dental implant surgery.