Getting Used to Your Dental Implants

With hundreds of millions of Americans living with missing teeth or no teeth at all, it’s no wonder dental implants have become a popular choice for teeth replacement. Boasting a 95% success rate, dental implants are safe and effective. 

But, once you’re procedure is complete, how long does it take to adjust? What are those first days like? Let’s examine life right after your implant is placed, ways to maintain them over time, and your long-term outlook.

Residents of Mamaroneck, New York, and Stamford, Connecticut, looking for dental implants can get quality care and service with Dr. Gennadiy Kravets and the skilled team at All Bright Dental. We offer personalized care for all ages, covering a variety of dental treatments, including dental implants.

Life immediately after dental implants

The first day after your implants, you’ll want to be careful not to irritate them or eat anything that can get caught between teeth or in hard-to-reach spaces in your mouth. Over-the-counter medications may be used to manage any discomfort (swelling, bruising, minor bleeding), and you’ll likely be given antibiotics for the first week. 

While we don’t demand that you stick to a soft and liquid diet (water, smoothies, applesauce, pureed soups, fruit or vegetable juices), it is a safe choice to maintain your comfort. Recovery can be as little as a week but will depend on how many implants were placed. Once you’ve recovered, you can start using your implants just like your regular teeth.

Longevity and maintenance

Your implants are designed to be permanent, as the process fuses the implant rod directly into your jaw in a process known as osseointegration. The crown of your implant (the visible section that looks like your tooth) may need to be replaced over time, but it can last up to 20 years before that might be necessary. 

To get the most out of your implant, you will need to care for it like your other teeth by brushing and flossing regularly and getting routine checkups. Because your implants are fused in your jaw and behave like your other teeth, there is a slight risk of damage to the gums (referred to as peri-implant disease). When left untreated, it can cause implant failure. It’s important to avoid chewing the sorts of foods that are harmful to your natural teeth, like hard candy and ice. You should also avoid foods that stain your teeth, like coffee and any tobacco products. Smoking is not advised as it can cause implant failures, as well as being linked to gum disease.

The long-term outlook for life with dental implants is positive. Once your implant has healed, you can chew and speak like you would with natural teeth. 

So just like your regular teeth, the key to proper implant care is proper dental hygiene. If you’re ready to get your implants, or you need a checkup after you’ve been fitted with them, contact Dr. Kravets and All Bright Dental today.