As is the case with any surgery, planning for dental implant placement also entails preparations for what to do after the surgery. For many patients, that may involve requesting time off from work, and patients in that situation want to know what to expect.
The surgery involved with dental implants has been fine-tuned over the years and is now considered relatively routine. It takes just a few hours, and most patients will be able to eat a light, soft meal later that evening and return to work the next day.
That’s right. If you get dental implants, it’s entirely possible that you won’t need to take any time off of work at all!
Some of the advances in implant dentistry have involved surgical techniques that are less invasive, which speeds up the patient’s healing timeframe. Furthermore, patients can choose sedation rather than general anesthesia, and sedation is also less shocking to the system. Even with sedation, though, you’ll still need to have a responsible adult escort you home after the procedure.
Any sort of complication that can arise after surgery, such as infection or unexpected bleeding, may throw your schedule off course, though. That’s why it’s important to follow the aftercare instructions provided by your oral surgeon.
You may be prescribed a round of prophylactic antibiotics to reduce your risk of developing an infection. If that is the case, take this medicine as prescribed for the entire duration.
If you smoke, abstain for at least the first few days. It’s best to stop smoking entirely or at a minimum for the entire time that your implants are fusing with the bone. Inflammation caused by smoking may compromise the dental implants.
Additionally, be sure to get an ample amount of rest in the hours immediately following your surgery. Avoid strenuous exercise or activity too soon.
Has concern over a potentially lengthy recovery time held you back from considering dental implants? Don’t let that prevent you from taking a significant step toward improving your oral health and your smile’s appearance. Dental implant surgery will not disturb your normal routine.
For more information about the dental implant process and to schedule your informative consultation, contact the office of Dr. Brad Crump, serving Park Cities and neighboring areas, at 214-443-0876 today.
