Managing Pain After Dental Implant Surgery
If you suffer from tooth loss, it can affect your ability to eat and speak. Dental implants are an amazing restorative dentistry procedure that, when paired with a denture, crown, or bridge, can restore your oral health and function as well as give you an attractive smile you can’t help but share with the world.
Perhaps one of the biggest concerns patients have when discussing dental implants is how much pain they may experience after dental implant surgery. Kellyn Hodges Orthodontics partners with a skilled team of oral surgeons in the Philadelphia, Bala Cynwyd, and Bensalem, PA areas, area to coordinate care to ensure you are taken care of before, during, and after your surgery.
Pain During the Procedure
While dental implant placement can seem scary, your oral surgeon will ensure you are completely comfortable during your procedure. All surgeons thoroughly numb the area beforehand. Depending on your surgeon, sedation options such as nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, or even IV sedation may be available to you.
Managing Pain After Implant Placement
Everyone handles pain differently and recovery will vary depending on the patient, how many implants they had placed, and if they had other preparatory treatments such as bone grafts. However, there are a few tips that may help make your recovery as smooth as possible.
- Follow all instructions given to you by your surgeon - Before your implant procedure, your oral surgeon will provide you with all the instructions you need to make recovery as smooth as possible. Follow all instructions given to prevent issues.
- Take medications as described - Most patients can manage well with over-the-counter pain medications like Advil, Tylenol, or generics (Naproxen sodium, ibuprofen, acetaminophen). Your oral surgeon may prescribe pain medications, and in some cases, they may prescribe other medications like steroids or antibiotics. Take them as directed. It is best to stay on a schedule, especially over the first few days. Your surgeon may also suggest a rotation of medications to keep your pain and inflammation easily controlled.
- Eat a soft diet - A soft diet is best during the first few days to a week after your implant placement surgery. This will minimize any irritation to the surgical site. It can also help prevent any sutures from being torn.
- Do not use a straw - Do not use a straw in the first week following your dental implant placement. Drinking from a straw creates suction which can dislodge the blood clots that need to form over the surgical site. These blood clots help the sites heal. If the blood clot dislodges, this can increase your healing time.
- Use ice packs - During your first few days of healing, use ice packs on your cheeks and jaw. This will help reduce swelling and can also help reduce any discomfort.
- Keep your head elevated - When you sleep, it helps to keep your head elevated for at least the first two to four days following your surgery
Don’t Wait--Contact Us Today
While the idea of dental implants may be daunting, this procedure has many benefits. Not only can it restore your oral function and appearance, but dental implants can halt jawbone deterioration that can occur with tooth loss, saving you from bone grafts later. While there is some pain associated with recovering from implant placement, it can be easily managed well at home by following a few simple steps.
Once you are healed, you will be able to eat the foods you love and smile with confidence. Get started today by calling one of our three offices or requesting a consultation online. We will help you coordinate your care for implant placement and our offices can craft attractive restorations to get you smiling once more.
