When Can I Return to Work After Dental Implant Surgery?

If you are considering dental implant surgery, you might also be wondering about the recovery process. How long before you can go back to work? What factors affect your recovery? Keep reading to learn from your implant dentist in Corpus Christi about what to expect during the days after surgery.

What Will Determine My Recovery Time?

Your ability to return to work after getting dental implants will be determined by a combination of these factors that are relevant to you:

Bone Grafting

Did your dentist recommend a bone graft before you receive a dental implant? They might have done so because you don’t have sufficient bone in your jaw to support an implant. Although minor bone grafting is unlikely to extend your recovery time, more complex cases can.

Number of Implants

Generally, the more implants you get, the more time you need to recover. If you’re only receiving 1-2 implants, you can expect an easier and shorter recovery, meaning you can return to work rather quickly. Conversely, if you’re receiving more than a few implants, you should consider taking 1-2 days off work to allow swelling, bruising, discomfort, and other side effects to subside.

Following Post-Op Instructions

After the procedure, your dentist will provide you with specific post-op instructions. It’s crucial that you follow them diligently, as it can minimize your recovery time! So, make sure you keep your mouth clean to prevent infection, follow the recommended diet, and avoid alcohol and tobacco. Otherwise, you could delay healing, cause infections, and affect the long-term success of your implants.

Preexisting Medical Issues

If you have any preexisting medical issues, such as hormonal imbalance, a compromised immune system, or a history of substance abuse, you might experience a significantly delayed recovery time. Depending on your medical factors, you might want to wait several days or even a week following your surgery before returning to your day-to-day routine.

How Can I Set Myself Up for the Best-Possible Recovery?

It may surprise you to learn that dental implant surgery is a practically painless process. However, even if you feel physically fine shortly after the procedure, your body is still undergoing a significant adjustment before the implant is fully fused. Strenuous activity and overexertion can delay the healing process, causing increased swelling, throbbing, bleeding, and overall discomfort. Make sure you take it easy following your surgery and give your body time to rest. It’s a good idea to adjust your routine accordingly for a few days after the procedure to expedite a full recovery.

Dental implants are the premier tooth replacement option. If you will take it easy after your implant surgery, you can make sure your recovery is swift and you’ll be back to work as soon as possible.

About the Author

Dr. John Thompson and his team strive to offer the people of Corpus Christi family-friendly, compassionate, honest, and conservative dental care that exceeds even the highest expectations. Dr. Thompson was awarded Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry, an honor that places him in the top seven percent of all dentists. If you are interested in dental implants for any number of teeth or implant dentures, he can discuss recovery and everything else to ensure you are informed during a consultation. You can schedule one on his website or by calling (361) 242-3151.