Data from the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons shows that almost 70% of adults ages 35 to 44 are missing at least one permanent tooth due to trauma, tooth decay, failed root canal, or gum disease. In addition, about 26% of adults will lose all their teeth by the time they turn 74. Dental implants are an ideal solution for replacing lost teeth with roughly 100,000 to 300,000 placed annually.
While considered the industry standard for replacing lost teeth, the procedure for getting dental implants is surgical in nature and more complex than other restoration options. When evaluating treatment options, patients often want to know what the dental implant procedure entails and how long it typically takes to recover. Read on to learn more about the procedure and associated recovery.
Dental Implant Overview
Designed to replace missing teeth, dental implants are a type of prosthesis placed directly into the patient’s jawbone. The small titanium implant posts act as replacement tooth roots upon which a dentist attaches:
* A single crown
* A fixed bridge
* A full denture
* A partial denture
After placing the implant post, a healing period is necessary to allow the implant and jawbone to fuse together. Once the fusion process, called osseointegration, completes, the dentist attaches a connector known as an abutment onto the implant. Finally, a prosthetic tooth or teeth are mounted to the abutment to complete the restoration.
How Long is the Recovery Period Following Dental Implants?
Like most dental surgeries, some post-operative discomfort is normal regardless of if the procedure is performed in one stage or multiple. Following surgery, patients can expect to experience:
* Swelling or bruising of the face and gums
* Minor bleeding
* Discomfort around the implant site
Following surgery, pain relieving medication or antibiotics could be prescribed to manage pain and combat the risk of infection. Typically, any pain, swelling, or bleeding will clear up within a few days following surgery. Should they persist or get worse, patients should consult their dentist for evaluation.
Because each patient has unique oral needs, the timetable for recovery will vary on a case-by-case basis. Some factors that influence recovery time include:
* The number of implants placed
* The health of the patient’s jawbone
* The need for any additional procedures in conjunction with implant surgery (i.e. bone grafting or tooth extractions)
* How quickly the patient heals following surgery
* Lifestyle or habits (i.e. smoking after surgery)
In general, a procedure to place one dental implant, without the need for other procedures, will result in minimal discomfort or swelling following surgery. Should pain occur, it typically will subside within a few days. In about 7-10 days, patients should be able to resume their normal diet and cleaning routine.
The most time-consuming aspect of dental implant procedures is the time required to allow the device to fuse with the jawbone. Again, this will depend on how quickly the patient heals but in general, can take multiple months to fully complete. While there should not be any related pain during this period, patients should nonetheless be aware of this time requirement when evaluating if the treatment is suitable for them.