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How Long Is The Recovery Process For Implants
Syracuse, NY

Rendering of jaw with dental implant at Janice K. Pliszczak, DDS in Syracuse, NY.

All things equal, it takes anywhere from three to six months for patients to recover from dental implant surgery. The actual duration of the recovery process for dental implants depends on a number of factors, including the patient’s overall health and the number of dental implants. For obvious reasons, a multiple tooth implant procedure may require longer healing time, simply because the body has to heal more bone and gum tissue. Another key factor in the healing process is bone grafting.

Dentists may recommend bone grafting to individuals who don’t have sufficient jawbone density to provide support to the dental implant. Oral surgeons drill right into the bone to make room for the dental implant. In general, patients require at least 1 mm of bone depth to support dental implants. Bone grafting can add several months to the healing process, increasing the timeline to about eight months.

Implants vs Bridges

Dental bridges are permanent fixtures that replace missing teeth. Their average recovery process for dental bridges is about two weeks compared to at least three months for dental implants. However, bridges don’t hold a candle to dental implants in terms of longevity. An implant can last for up to 25 years.

Implants vs Dentures

Dentures are orthodontic appliances that can replace missing teeth. The recovery time for dentures depends on various factors, including tooth extraction. It may take two months to fully heal after tooth extraction. While implants take longer to heal, they are good at mimicking the function and appearance of natural teeth.

Tips to Improve the Recovery Process for Dental Implants

Although the prospect of waiting six to eight months to fully heal can seem like a long time, you can recover faster using the following tips.

Diligently Follow Post-Op Instructions

The most important factor in the recovery process for dental implants is how good you are at following your dentist’s post-op instructions. The first few weeks after surgery are crucial because the gums and bones are still recovering. Some of these instructions include:

•	Avoiding smoking
•	Not eating solid foods
•	Keeping the tongue away from the dental implant

Eat a Balanced Diet with Soft Food

You will have to modify your diet to eat soft and nutritious foods. Spicy foods should definitely not be on your menu because they can cause bleeding and irritation of the bone and gums. Instead, you should focus on eating foods that require little to no chewing, because chewing forces can disrupt the healing process. Make sure to eat nutritious foods that meet your daily recommended intake of vitamins and minerals.

Drink Lots of Water

Water is absolutely essential to the healing process because it transports oxygen and nutrients to the tissue. Drink anywhere from eight to 10 glasses of water each day to stay sufficiently hydrated. This also means avoiding any food groups that could lead to dehydration, such as alcohol and caffeine.

Get Eight Hours of Sleep

Finally, you must get proper sleep - at least eight hours each night to facilitate recovery. Sleep is great at alleviating stress, accelerating recovery, and making you feel better. Contact your dentist if you are finding it hard to sleep, or make lifestyle changes to increase your quality and quantity of sleep. Ready to get dental implants to restore your oral health and appearance? Get in touch with the experts at Janice K. Pliszczak, DDS who go above and beyond for their patients. Call us today at (315) 800-5020 to schedule an appointment!

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"You are put at ease the minute you walk into their new office on Broad Rd. Beautiful and calming surroundings. The staff couldn't be more helpful and are extremely friendly. Dr. Pliszczak is exactly what you want in a Dentist. Always concerned with your comfort, I never feel rushed, and I enjoy here friendly manner. And because of all of their meticulously thorough work, My teeth are as healthy as can be!!! Thank you Dr. Pliszczak, Jade and Nancy" ~Roamy F.

How Long Is The Recovery Process For Implants Syracuse, NY