With your dental implant surgery scheduled and the anticipation for your new smile increasing by the day, you’re probably ready to get this show on the road! But not so fast! Before your new restorations are placed, it’s important to make some preparations in advance so you’ll be able to relax and recover following your procedure. Here are four important ways you can help get yourself organized so you’ll be ready to roll on the big day!
There’s No Such Thing as A Bad Question
Remember in elementary school when your teacher said, “the only bad question is the one you don’t ask”? Well, that wisdom still applies, especially when it comes to queries about your dental implant surgery. Thus, if something is confusing, you can’t find the answer on your own, or even if you simply need a little pre-op reassurance, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist and they’ll be happy to put your mind at ease!
I Need a Moment
The good news is that dental implant surgery shouldn’t require a lengthy at-home recovery period; however, you should still prepare to take two or three days off from work and any other activities. If you need more time, try scheduling your procedure for a Friday so you’ll have a built-in weekend.
During your recovery period, it is important that you allow your body to rest so you can heal faster, so plan on skipping the gym and avoiding any physically demanding activities for about two or three days, too.
Read the Fine Print
Your post op instructions are a carefully curated list of tips and tricks for making your dental implant surgery recovery easier and more comfortable. They can even reduce your risk of developing an infection during healing and following them can improve your overall odds for implant success. Thus, don’t forget to do your homework. Read the entire packet, make notes, and use the shopping list to stock up on supplies before your procedure so you’ll be ready to recover and won’t need to stress about last-minute trips to the store.
Be Prepared
Naturally, your mouth is going to be a little sore for a few weeks after your procedure, although the discomfort should improve dramatically after the first two or three days. While you heal, it is important that you are extremely careful with your diet, so plan on sticking to soft foods for the time being. You can gradually add tougher textures in the coming weeks and months, but the most important thing during recovery is allowing your posts to fuse with your jaw without disrupting them.
Use the approved food list in your post-op instructions to buy and prepare your groceries before your procedure so you won’t have to worry about it during recovery. You should also stock up on medical supplies such as prescription and OTC pain relievers, ice packs, and extra gauze.
Remember, your dental implant surgery is an important milestone on the road to restoring your healthy, beautiful smile. To make the process as easy and stress-free as possible, check these four items off your to-do list before the big day, so you’ll be ready to hit the ground running post-op!
About Our Practice
At Southwest Dental, Dr. Ranjbaran and Dr. Johnson can’t wait to help you restore your smile with dental implants. If you’re ready to get started replacing missing teeth, we’ll help prepare you for the road ahead. To take the first step, schedule a consultation for dental implants today by visiting our website or calling 505-896-9399.