If you are preparing to undergo dental implant placement surgery, you may be wondering how you will feel once your restorations are securely in place. While every patient is different, it is not uncommon for the effects of anesthesia to take time to wear off, causing you to feel tired and a bit sore in the immediate hours following your procedure. To better understand what you can expect after having your dental implants put into place, let a prosthodontist in Sarasota explain the aftercare process.
Feeling tired after having any kind of dental work is normal. Although not everyone experiences it on the same level, there are reasons as to why you may feel more fatigued after a more complex procedure such as dental implant placement. These reasons can include:
Anxiety about the procedure
Effects of local anesthetics
The body fighting off bacteria that enters the bloodstream during a procedure
In most cases, patients who receive anesthesia will be required to have someone escort them to and from their appointment. Since dental implant placement is a more in-depth procedure that does require sedation, you will likely spend the rest of your day resting at home following your appointment.
What is Expected After Dental Implant Placement?
When you return home from having your dental implants placed, your dentist will provide you with a detailed list of instructions to follow to ensure your recovery is a success. Every person who undergoes implant surgery will likely experience a variety of symptoms, resulting in some patients healing more quickly than others; however, a typical timeline looks something like the following:
Initial 24 Hours You will likely feel some discomfort around the implant sites. You may also feel a bit tired. Once you arrive safely at home, make sure to get plenty of rest, and avoid eating anything until the anesthesia wears off. This can take several hours (between 2-4). If you received prescribed medication, make sure to take it as instructed. Also, make sure to avoid any hot or cold foods or drink and consume only soft foods.
Days 1-3 During this time, you may experience some slight bruising or swelling, but you can incorporate a hot or cold compress to reduce inflammation and minimize discomfort. You can also eat additional foods that are warmer but continue to avoid anything crunchy or hard. You will also need to continue to gently brush your teeth, being mindful of your surgical sites.
Days 3-7 In this stage of recovery, your facial swelling will peak but quickly dissipate. The discomfort you feel should also become minimal; however, this is dependent upon how many implants you had placed. You are advised to slowly resume normal activity, being careful not to overdo it. It is also best if you continue to eat softer foods like cooked vegetables, soft fruits, fish, and pasta.
Days 7-14 At the end of your first week and the start of your second, you can begin to incorporate other foods into your diet and notice a significant difference in your smile. Swelling, bleeding, and pain will go down, and you can begin to enjoy minimal exercise (i.e. walking).
Two Weeks and Beyond Once you’ve reached this phase of recovery, you can resume most if not all regular activity. You will be responsible for seeing your dentist regularly to ensure everything is healing as it should, but you can start eating regular foods again and get back into your normal routine.
By adhering to the instructions provided to you by your prosthodontist, you can expect your recovery to be a success. Yes, you may feel tired in the beginning but before you know it, you’ll be back to living your best life with a healthier, more beautiful smile.
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