The Most Common Questions About Dental Implant Aftercare

Dental implants are considered by dentists to be the gold standard of tooth replacement. Not only do they look and feel incredibly realistic, but they’re one of the most reliable treatments there is; over 95% of dental implants last over 20 years.

However, they’re also the only tooth replacement option that involves major surgery, meaning dental implant patients often wonder they’ll feel after the procedure. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about dental implant aftercare.

Will Aftercare Be Uncomfortable?

Dental implant patients usually ask whether aftercare is going to be painful, and the answer depends on how extensive your surgery was. If you’re getting multiple dental implants, you may be in for more discomfort than otherwise.

Your physician will likely prescribe you medication proportionate to the intensity of your surgery. If the procedure was mild, they may not prescribe you anything at all. In either case, you can take over-the-counter or prescription pain relief once the anesthetics wear off, around 2-4 hours after the surgery.

Can I Drive Home?

After surgery, you’ll still be under the effects of anesthesia, which can impair your ability to drive for several hours. Moreover, anesthesia has the side effect of blurring your vision after you wake up. For that reason, it’s recommended that you get someone to drive you home after your procedure.

When Can I Eat?

Surgery can take a lot out of you, so there’s a real chance that you’ll be hungry afterward. About an hour after the procedure, you can take out the gauze that covers your wound and have something to eat. At this point your mouth may still be a little bit numb, so it’s important to be careful not to bite your cheek accidentally. In a similar vein, it’s best to avoid hot foods that could burn your mouth without you realizing it.

Of course, you may still have questions about what you ought to do after surgery. Feel free to ask your prosthodontist; they’ll help you with whatever problem you’re facing.

About the Author

Dr. Vrajesh Shah has been practicing for over 20 years, and in that time he has had one goal: to help his patients to maintain a strong, healthy smile. He became a prosthodontist to help his patients achieve the highest level of dental care possible. Dr. Shah began practicing at the Government Dental College and Hospital in India, then received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the NYU College of Dentistry.

If you have any questions about dental implant aftercare, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (732) 906-0077.