Denture implants are an excellent treatment option that can make dentures hard to wear into a replacement that is more comfortable, secure, and looks better. Denture implants can change your life because they let you eat foods you haven’t been able to eat in a long time.
If you want your dentures to work like natural teeth, you need surgery to put implants in your jawbone, followed by time to recover and heal. Let’s talk about what to expect during the dental implant healing stages.
What Are Dental Implants?
Putting in dental implants is a way to replace teeth that have been lost. They are made of titanium and hold replacement teeth in place.
They can fill in gaps where teeth are missing, like crowns or dentures. But unlike crowns, a root doesn’t have to be in one piece. Even if the person has never had an adult tooth, an implant can be used to replace it.
Unlike dentures, dental implants are permanent. Dental implants can help you regain healthy teeth so you can eat, chew, and talk without trouble. They are the closest thing modern science has to a natural tooth replacement.
Why Get Implants for Teeth?
Once an adult tooth falls out, it will never grow back or be replaced by nature. Implants are another way to return an adult tooth that has been lost. There are some pros and cons of getting a dental implant that you should think about before getting one.
The main advantages of getting dental implants are:
- Better teeth and gums (the artificial tooth roots help stimulate bone growth)
- Better ability to speak, chew and eat.
- Unlike some dentures, these won’t slip or move when you eat or speak.
- Beautiful to look (they look more like natural teeth than dental crowns or dentures
Stages of Dental Implant Healing
How long a person takes to get better depends on what kinds of treatments they’ve had. Usually, it takes between 10 days and six weeks for a person to be able to eat their usual foods again.
Some of the things that can affect how long it takes to heal are:
- How many teeth are taken out and put back in (single, multiple, or whole jaw)
- How well your jawbones and the tissue under them are in
- Age and health affect how long it takes to heal.
Patients spend different amounts of time at each stage of recovery, but most of them will go through the following four steps.
Stage 1: Post Surgery
You will be told to take it easy after getting a dental implant. You can’t exercise, eat hard or crunchy foods or smoke. Also, it would help if you didn’t bite anything on the side of your mouth where the surgery was done.
It is best to take small sips of water through a straw. Around the dental implant, you might feel some pain and swelling. This is normal and can last from a few days to a week. If you are in pain, take medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to. You might also need to rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution or mouthwash that kills germs. Follow your dentist’s instructions in the letter.
Stage 2: Soft Tissue Healing
This stage usually lasts about two weeks and is marked by redness and swelling around the dental implant. For some people, swelling can stay high for up to six weeks. When your soft tissues are healing after getting a dental implant, you should continue to take it easy and not do anything physical. Be sure to drink lots of fluids, especially water, to flush the area and help it heal. You might also need to rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution or mouthwash that kills germs. Follow your dentist’s instructions in the letter.
Stage 3: Adjusting and Bone Healing
It takes time to get used to dental implants and for your bones to heal. Depending on the patient’s age and dental health, this stage can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
During this stage, you should still not do anything physical. But you can slowly start doing some of your everyday things again. Brushing your teeth gently and staying away from dental implants until they have fully healed is essential. Brushing the implants too hard can irritate and pain and slow the healing process. The best way to clean them is with a soft-bristled brush on the crown and a gentle rinse with salt water or an antibacterial mouthwash.
Stage 4: Maintenance
Once your dental implant has fully healed, you must see your dentist regularly for checks. Dental implants are just like natural teeth when it comes to caring. Always brush and floss, and see your dentist every six months to have your teeth cleaned. It’s important to know what to expect during the dental implant healing stages if you’re getting them. You can ensure your surgery goes well by carefully following your dentist’s instructions.
In short, dental implants are a dental procedure that can make a big difference in the health of your teeth. Even though the healing process for dental implants can be painful and uncomfortable, the results will last for many years.
