What You Can Expect After Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implants are surgically implanted into the gum of the mouth to replace teeth you may be missing. The procedure in which these implants are surgically inserted takes time and planning and will also require some recovery time as well. The implants are inserted into the jawbone, below the surface of the gums, then the faux tooth with what appears to be a screw on the bottom of it is screwed into the implant in the jawbone. A dental implant such as this is permanent in the mouth and holds up much longer than dentures or a dental bridge would in the mouth. They work much like your actual teeth, which is what makes them such a great replacement if you have missing teeth. Read on for some things you can expect after having this type of dental procedure.

Swelling

You may experience swelling that may be mild to moderate in your mouth. It may be more localized, or you may have swelling all on one side of your face. You may also see swelling on the exterior of your face as well, which is also normal. This swelling should go down after a day or two, but if you still have swelling after a week, you should consult your dentist to be sure there isn't an infection or some other type of issue with your dental implant. Swelling is normal in any type of dental procedure, especially after having a surgical procedure such as this one. 

Difficulty Eating Or Chewing

You may experience some difficulty eating or chewing after having this procedure. You should stick to soft foods for a day or two after you have had this done. You may not even feel up to eating much after having dental work done, but the swelling may make chewing difficult. Eat soft foods, or drink smoothies to help fill your stomach and ease the pain. Avoid sucking through a straw, which may irritate the mouth further as well.

Headaches

You may experience headaches after the surgery, although these should subside after a couple of days. Headaches from the swelling and pain are to be expected, but if you have other pain, or if your headaches seem much more severe, you should consult your dentist or your physician.

If you are going to be having dental implant surgery, there is some pain or swelling to be expected after the procedure. If you still have pain after a few days, you should talk to your dentist to rule out any issues such as infection.

Talk to a dentist in your area to learn more about dental implant surgery.