5 Post-Op Questions About Dental Implant Surgery, Answered!

Prior to getting dental implants, you might have countless questions on your mind. Which oral surgeon should I choose? Do I need any of my healthy teeth extracted? What financial solutions are available? These are all great questions prior to the procedure, but what about afterward? Don’t worry – you can find common post-op questions about dental implant surgery right here!

1. How Much Time Should I Take Off of Work?

The answer to this question depends on a few factors. To start, what day of the week is your procedure? If it’s on a Thursday, then you may only need to take a day or two off since you have the weekend to recover. How physically demanding your job is also matters. If you work in construction, then you might need to take four or more days off to prevent complications, like delayed healing. Ultimately, this is something that you and your oral surgeon will need to discuss together.

2. Can I Drive Myself Home After the Procedure?

If IV sedation is a part of your treatment plan, then the answer is “no.” Instead, you’ll need to have a trusted adult drive you home from your procedure. If you can, have them stay with you for the first few hours or days so you can focus solely on resting and recovering.

3. When Can I Eat?

It’s important to wait until the numbing agent has completely worn off. Usually, this takes about an hour or two, but it’s important to do so because – if you don’t – you may bite down hard on your lips, tongue, or cheek.

When it does come time to eat, stick to soft foods, like plain yogurt and applesauce. You can also have a fruit smoothie, but there shouldn’t be any seeds and you can’t use a straw. It’s also a good idea to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and prevent food particles from lingering in your mouth.

4. How Much Pain Is Normal During the Healing Process?

During the healing process, it’s normal to experience some soreness. The good news is that it’s only temporary. Plus, you can take OTC pain medication as directed to help alleviate your discomfort even quicker. After a couple of days, if the pain seems to be getting worse instead of better, call your oral surgeon to let them know.

5. Can I Brush My Teeth Afterward?

Keeping your mouth clean is essential. After all, you don’t want an infection to develop! We recommend gently rinsing your mouth with mild salt water periodically and brushing your teeth about 24 hours after your procedure. Remember, you should NOT use mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide rinses, or anything else that isn’t approved by your oral surgeon.

About the Practice

For our team at Elite Oral Surgery Associates, providing meticulous, custom, and cutting-edge dentistry is just the beginning. We also are here to be an ongoing resource for our patients, which includes answering any questions that come up before or after the procedure. If you would like to schedule a consultation with us, you can visit our website or call one of our conveniently located offices near you.