You’re finally doing it—you’re getting dental implants placed. As you lie back in the dentist’s chair during the procedure, you imagine all the great things you’ll be able to do with your strong dental implants, like eating corn on the cob. Once the dental implant surgery in East Longmeadow and Northampton is complete, you’re still a bit out of it; however, as you take it easy at home, you realize that the next few days have many unknowns. In this blog post, you’ll learn some of the most common questions about the aftermath of dental implant placement and responses that can help you know what to do and expect.
Is Bleeding Normal?
It is quite common to have minor oozing of blood for roughly 48 hours after the procedure. Most dentists recommend biting down on clean gauze for about an hour following the procedure to slow down the bleeding. However, avoid spitting or rinsing because these can aggravate, instead of help, bleeding.
If your bleeding is rather heavy, take a moistened regular tea bag and put it on the site while biting down. Make sure the tea isn’t decaf or herbal After an hour, remove the tea bag, at which point the bleeding should subside or at least be much less than before.
When Can I Eat?
You are allowed to resume eating about an hour after the procedure; however, you need to stick to soft foods for at least the first 24 hours. During this time, you also need to avoid hot drinks or foods and using a straw. After 24 hours, you may slowly and cautiously reintroduce harder foods back into your normal diet.
When Can I Go Back to My Normal Activities?
Many patients are prescribed narcotic pain medication for a few days after the placement procedure. If you take this medication, you may have difficulty with focus, concentration, or coordination. You may resume your normal schedule basically as soon as you feel up to it. But you shouldn’t engage in strenuous activities for at least three days after your surgical procedure.
When Will My Implants Be Ready for Restorations?
If you’ve had missing teeth in East Longmeadow and Northampton for a long time, you are likely anxious for your replacement teeth. Keep in mind that your jaw bone must surround the implants before the restoration is placed. This process, called osseointegration, usually takes three to six months to complete. Your dentist can give you a more accurate estimate of the timeline for your specific case.
In the end, if you have questions about how to handle the period after your implant placement procedure, you should reach out to your dentist. They can guide you and help you heal in the best way possible so that your replacement teeth are successful.
About the Practice
EMA Dental is proud to have so many dental professionals on staff. In addition to three general dentists, we have five advanced dental providers who can help with more complex procedures, such as dental implant placement. We are dedicated to continuing education and constantly improving our skills so that our patients enjoy the best that dentistry has to offer. If you have post-operative questions about implants, you can contact our providers through our website or by calling our office.