Dental implants offer a wide range of benefits that you can’t get from other tooth replacement options, like dentures and dental bridges. This is because they replace the roots of the missing teeth, allowing for additional stability and preventing bone loss. However, to get dental implants, you must undergo a surgical procedure and recovery time, so it’s a good idea to take some time off work. Most patients are able to return to work after just a couple of days, but there are some factors that you should consider as well. Continue reading to learn more.
Bone Grafting
Some patients don’t have enough bone tissue to support a dental implant. That’s when bone grafting comes into play. This is when tissue (artificial or from another part of the body) is used to augment the implant site. A minor bone graft may not add too much time to your recovery, but a more complex one may mean that you should take some extra time off.
Number of Dental Implants
For one or two dental implants, you probably won’t need much time to recover before you return to your job. However, if you are receiving three or more implants, it’s a good idea to take off a couple more days. This way, you can allow any swelling, bruising, and other post-surgical effects to subside.
Compliance with Your Post-Op Instructions
When you have dental implants placed, your dentist will send you home with a specific plan of post-op instructions. By following these instructions to a tee, you can minimize your recovery time by giving the surgical site the best probability of healing properly. However, if there are some complications that arise along the way, you could be looking at a longer recovery time. Be sure that you are keeping your mouth clean after your surgery to reduce the risk of infection. For the recommended diet, avoid alcohol, and don’t smoke.
Where You Work
If you have a job that is physically demanding, you should give yourself several more days before returning to work. This is because vigorous exercise can divert blood from the surgical site and delay healing. Give yourself plenty of time to rest and take it easy during the initial recovery period.
It’s important that your healing goes as smoothly as possible, so it’s best not to gamble by returning to work too early. Remember to keep the above things in mind when you are contemplating the number of days to take off. This way, you can get back to your normal questions without risking your smile!
About the Practice
At BGH Dental, we have a team of three skilled dentists serving patients in Greenfield. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. The entire dental implant process is completed in-house! For more information on dental implants or to schedule a consultation, visit our website or call (413) 772-0842.