How Long Does It Take for the Gum to Heal After Implant Surgery?
Dental implant surgery is a procedure by a dentist near you to replace a missing tooth or several. It involves restoring the entire tooth, including the roots and crown. The tooth roots are replaced using a tiny titanium post while the tooth is represented with a dental crown. This surgical process is invasive, and the jawbone and gums are affected.
For instance, the dentist will make an incision into the gums to access the jaw bone and fix the implant. Then, they will place an abutment on the dental implant, and the gums are sutured around it. Therefore, your gums will need time to heal. Read on to find out how long it takes for the gums to heal after dental implant surgery.
Healing After Implant Restoration Procedure
You will not experience any pain for the first few hours after the surgery due to the anesthesia used. However, once the effects wear off, you will feel pain and discomfort around the operated area. You may also notice signs like bleeding, swelling, bruising, and inflammation. These symptoms will continue for the next three days after surgery.
Fortunately, the discomfort will have faded by the third day, and you can return to work or school. The bleeding will also stop, and the bruising and swelling will cease by the seventh day. However, your gums may still be tender if you put pressure on them. Within two weeks after surgery, the gums will have healed completely.
Although the gums heal within two weeks, the recovery for your jawbone takes longer. This is because it takes months for the bone to fuse with the titanium post, a process known as osseointegration. As a result, you should still take proper care of the operated area to prevent implant failure.
Factors Affecting Gum Healing After Implant Surgery
Two weeks is the expected healing gum timeline, but it does not always go as planned. Some people may have infections on the operated site that inhibit healing. The disease may be caused by ignoring the dentist’s recovery guidelines. For example, the patient may not take the prescribed antibiotics. Also, the patient’s body may reject the implant due to a metal allergy.
Other patients require a dental extraction or gum grafting before the implant placement. These pre-implant processes involve the gum and may delay the recovery time. Patients with a compromised immune system also take longer for the gums to heal. This is because their bodies cannot initiate rapid self-healing.
The patient’s lifestyle also determines the healing period. For example, your recovery will be delayed if you smoke or take alcohol. This is because alcohol and tobacco impair the oxygenation and circulation of blood. As a result, your gums will not receive the necessary nutrients to repair the gum tissue and promote cell growth.
What you eat after the implant surgery can accelerate or inhibit gum healing. You should stick to soft foods or a liquid diet the first few days after the procedure. The food must be nutritious and easy to chew to promote recovery.
Tips for Recovering From a Dental Implant Surgery Quickly
- Maintain good oral hygiene during the recovery time. Brush and floss as usual, but avoid the area around the implant site. Instead, use warm saline water to rinse the area and remove food debris and bacteria.
- Take all the prescribed medication to prevent pain and infection.
- Eat soft foods since the surgical site will be tender for a few days. Avoid hot or spicy foods or beverages because they may irritate the wound.
- Use icepacks and moist heat to control the pain and swelling.
- Rest for the first 24 hours after oral surgery avoiding strenuous activities.
- Do not smoke or take alcohol as they inhibit recovery.
- Contact your dentist when the pain persists for more than seven days post-surgery.
Are you looking for a dentist near you to restore your missing tooth with a dental implant? Then contact our dental experts at Breckenridge Dental Group. We will restore your smile in a fast, pain-free, and effective procedure. In addition, our team will monitor you during the recovery period to ensure the gums heal fast and the process is successful.