If you’ve suffered from tooth loss and are considering replacements, there’s a good chance that you could benefit from dental implants. These restorations are the only ones that are surgically embedded into your jawbone, which means they provide unique advantages over alternatives like dentures or dental bridges.
Many patients have questions about how long they must wait after their procedure to return to work. If you’re considering dental implants and want to plan ahead, keep reading to learn more!
When Can I Go Back to Work After Dental Implant Surgery?
The answer to this question varies from person to person because it depends on your unique circumstances. In many instances, you can return to work the day after your surgery. Other patients require several days off to recover enough to resume being productive. Several factors influence how long you may need, including:
#1- The Number of Implants
If you require multiple implant posts, then you’ll have a longer rest period than someone who only received one. You might want to plan on taking a few days off to account for any swelling, bruising, or aches that are common after implant surgery.
#2- If You Had a Bone Graft
After you lose teeth, your body reabsorbs some of the mass from your jawbone that’s no longer needed to support them. That means your jaw slowly weakens to the point that it can’t support your remaining teeth, let alone dental implants. However, in many cases a bone graft can give it some extra mass so you can move forward with your restoration. Your dentist will let you know how long you’ll need to take to fully heal from this procedure.
#3- Whether You Follow Your Dentist’s Guidelines
Your dentist will provide a list of instructions for you to follow after your surgery to help you heal efficiently and without complications. Following them in detail is the best way to help yourself recover. Some common directions include:
- Rinse your mouth with salt water. This acts as a natural disinfectant to keep your mouth clean until you can resume brushing and flossing as usual.
- Don’t use straws. The force of the suction can dislodge the blood clot that’s imperative for healing.
- Avoid certain foods. You should steer clear of anything overly hard, crunchy, spicy, or hot that could irritate the implant site. Stick to a soft foods diet for the first few days immediately following your procedure.
- Quit toxic habits. Smoking cigarettes or vaping can hinder healing and lead to implant failure because nicotine restricts your blood flow and oxygen levels. Alcohol can also lead to a longer recovery period.
- Manage discomfort. If you’re in pain, it’s usually safe to take over-the-counter meds like Tylenol or ibuprofen to address it. If it gets worse or persists for more than a week, contact your dentist to let them know.
Your dentist can give you a more accurate estimate based on your unique circumstances so that you know how long you’ll need to take off work!
About the Practice
At Legacy Dental, people of all ages benefit from a team of skilled dentists who offer a wide range of services under one roof, including dental implants. By combining state-of-the-art technology with a compassionate approach, they’re able to offer incredibly accurate, individualized treatments to meet even the most complex dental needs. They partner with the best local experts so when it comes to your implant surgery, you know you’ll be well taken care of. If you’d like a consultation, you’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (306) 763-7841.