Ensuring a Healthy, Successful Dental Implant Recovery
Dental implants are an excellent way to replace missing teeth with permanent, stable restorations. If you are considering a dental implant, you may be wondering about the recovery process. Our doctors in Queens, NY, use precise surgical techniques to reduce your recovery time and enhance your healing. In some cases, Drs. Clifford Degel and Carmen Every-Degel can also provide mini implants or teeth-in-a-day, which involve a quick, minimal discomfort recovery. Whether you receive traditional or mini implants, our dentists will provide complete guidance and care throughout the dental implant recovery process.
Recovering from Implant Surgery
After Dr. Degel or Dr. Every-Degel place your implant posts, you will need to wait for your gums to heal before you can receive your final restoration. The healing process typically takes about four to six months. The crucial process of osseointegration will allow your implant to mimic the function of a tooth root while preventing the bone atrophy that naturally occurs after losing a tooth. This important step in the healing process is what will properly secure your implant, offering unparalleled stability, as well as helping to minimize and slow the deterioration of bone tissue.
Timelines Vary from Patient to Patient
Your specific timeline will depend on your unique procedure. For example, if you undergo a bone graft, recovery could take up to 12 months. Alternatively, if you receive teeth-in-a-day, your dentist will place mini implant posts and attach your restoration in the same appointment. Your dentist will provide a consultation before your procedure. At this time, he or she will plan your surgery and help you choose the right type of implants for your needs.
Our goal is to improve precision during the placement process to help make the recovery a quicker and more comfortable time for you.
Video: Mini Dental Implants and Dentures
Dr. Degel placed mini dental implants and dentures to treat this patient's dental issues. In this clip, our patient talks about her mini dental implants and dentures, which she received here several years ago, and how they have improved her quality of life.
Understanding Osseointegration
After your implants have been placed, bone cells in the jaw will begin to attach directly to the surface of the titanium posts during the osseointegration process. Over the course of four to six months, the area will heal and the titanium posts will become incorporated directly into the structure of the jaw, functioning as tooth roots. Once the posts have fully integrated, the surgeon will perform an additional procedure to attach abutments. The implant and abutment combine to provide a level of support for dental restorations like crowns, bridges, or dentures that cannot be matched.
Dental implants fuse directly with the jaw during the healing process
Unique Advantages of a Healthy Recovery
Missing teeth can have an obvious effect on the aesthetics of your smile. However, many patients are unaware that a lost tooth can also negatively impact their overall oral health. After tooth loss has occurred, the jaw no longer receives stimulation, and the bone and surrounding tissues will eventually begin to deteriorate as a result. Dental implants are the only restorative treatment that can stop this bone atrophy. The implanted posts provide stimulation to the jaw, which helps to maintain strength and bone density. If doctors believe your jawbone is not strong enough for surgery, we can perform a bone graft procedure to create a sufficient base for the implant.
How Our Techniques Can Expedite Your Recovery
At Astoria Dental Group, our dentists use extremely precise techniques to enhance your healing. Our state-of-the-art technology includes:
- Mini dental implants: These implant posts have a smaller diameter. Therefore, they impact less of your jawbone and involve a shorter recovery time.
- SimPlant™: The SimPlant system uses a CT scan to create a three-dimensional map of your skull. Then your dentist can precisely position the implants for a shorter recovery and minimal discomfort.
- BOTOX® Therapeutic: BOTOX can alleviate pressure on your implant posts so that your gums will heal faster and you will have a reduced risk for implant failure.
Reducing Side Effects with At-Home Care
Dental implants are renowned for their low risks and high success rate. However, the procedure does involve some temporary side effects. These short-term effects include:
- Gum irritation and sensitivity
- Bleeding
- Speech difficulties
Discomfort should subside within the first 24 to 48 hours. You can speed your healing with mild pain medication and moist heat. To soothe your gums and stop any bleeding, it may help to bite on a wet tea bag or piece of gauze. You should eat a soft diet for the first several days and avoid strenuous physical activity. Speech difficulties will resolve quickly as you adjust to the feel of the implants in your mouth. In fact, like most patients, you may speak more clearly with your implants than you did when you had missing teeth.
Monitoring Recovery at Follow-up Appointments
In the weeks and months following your procedure, Dr. Degel or Dr. Every-Degel will provide follow-up appointments throughout your recovery. At these visits, he or she will offer tips and guidance to further enhance your healing. It is important to schedule and attend these follow-up appointments to ensure that no infection or setbacks are. During this time, you can also discuss the possibility of receiving additional dental work that can further improve our smile. Once patients feel comfortable and fully healed, they often like to inquire about additional restorative or cosmetic treatments that can further improve the beauty and health of their smile. Depending on your goals, a full mouth reconstruction or a smile makeover may help you achieve the more complete, more beautiful smile you desire.
Consult with a Doctor About Your Recovery
We understand that the decision to receive dental implants is a big step that requires a lot of thought and some patience. Our goal is to improve precision during the placement process to help make the recovery a quicker and more comfortable time for you. During a full evaluation, we can explain more to you about what you can expect prior to, during, and following your dental implant surgery. To find out more about dental implants and the healing process, please send us an online message. You can also call us at (718) 278-1123 to set up a consultation with one of our doctors.
