Dental implants have given countless patients the power to replace their lost teeth with beautifully lifelike restorations, and they can last for several decades or even a lifetime if they receive excellent care. However, it’s perfectly reasonable to want to know what you can expect during the recovery process before you commit to receiving implants. Here are two excellent questions to ask at your dental implant consultation.
How many dental implants will I need to care for?
The number of dental implants you need will depend on how many teeth you are missing and where the empty spaces are located. For example, a full denture that replaces an entire arch of lost teeth can be mounted on four to six implants, and a bridge that restores three or four sequential teeth will only require two. It’s also possible to use implants to mount single dental crowns to replace individual teeth.
Patients who receive more than one implant may need more time to recover and have to take special care while they heal. For example, patients who receive full dentures will probably need to stick to a soft diet for a week or so after implant surgery while someone who receives a crown may simply need to chew on the other side of their mouth for a few days. Implants placed in the lower jaw typically take about four months to heal while those inserted in the upper jaw may require six months.
What should I eat and drink after receiving dental implants?
Your diet and chewing practices will play a huge role in your recovery after receiving dental implants. A few tips for while you are healing after dental implant surgery include:
- Enjoy a diet of soft foods like pasta, steamed veggies, white fish, and mashed potatoes
- Avoid chewing on the side of the mouth that received implants
- Avoid items that are hot, cold, acidic, or sweet, as these can irritate your healing oral tissues
- Get plenty of vitamin D in foods like cereal, oily fish, eggs, mushrooms, liver, and fortified milk and orange juice
- Enjoy foods that are high in protein like peanut butter, lean beef, fish, chicken, beans, soy, and tofu
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated enough for healthy circulation and saliva flow
Dental implants are an investment in your confidence and your oral health. Knowing what to expect after receiving these appliances can help you set them up to serve you beautifully for many years.
About the Practice
Cranford Center for Periodontics & Dental Implants offers the finest oral surgical services in town. Led by Drs. Mehdi Saber, Samantha Aaron, Vandeep Bagga, and Niyati Kapadia, the staff treats each patient with compassion and respect in a warm and welcoming office environment. Areas of expertise include periodontal therapy and surgery, nitrous oxide sedation, and emergency dentistry. To schedule your dental implant consultation, contact the office online or dial (908) 709-6777.