Dental implants are considered the most effective tooth replacement option in dentistry today. As with any surgery, it’s important to know what to expect during your recovery. This will ensure you have the necessary items on hand and know when to contact a medical professional. After dental implant surgery, swelling typically subsides within two to three days. Your doctor will provide detailed post-operative instructions, including ways to minimize this side effect. Tips include keeping your head elevated, reducing activity, and taking anti-inflammatory medications.
Is Swelling Normal?
Swelling is part of the body’s natural response to injury. You cannot equate a surgical procedure with an injury, but it is a controlled form of trauma. To place dental implants, your surgeon will need to inject, make incisions and sutures. Simply put, swelling is the accumulation of fluid in the tissues. It is not dangerous and is actually a normal aspect of the healing process. Bruising is completely normal, as is swelling during healing. However, some patients tend to bruise more easily than others.
How Much Swelling Is Expected?
The degree of swelling each individual will experience depends on several factors. First, your body’s response depends on the surgical procedure itself. For example, a person who has six dental implants will likely experience more inflammation and discoloration than a patient who has a single implant.
Swelling is part of the body’s natural response to injury. It is not dangerous and is actually a normal aspect of the healing process.
It is not unusual to experience swelling around the mouth, jaws, cheeks, eyes, and face after dental implant surgery. Following the procedure, swelling typically peaks on the second or third day and gradually decreases. However, it may take a few days for the inflammation to go away completely.
Common Signs of Infection
Knowing what to expect can help you avoid complications after surgery and minimize your risk of infection. It is important to be aware of the changes that occur during your recovery. The simplest way to do this is to assess the degree of swelling and discomfort you experience after the procedure.
The swelling should subside substantially by the third day for most patients. After the swelling starts to go down, it should not increase again. Therefore, if you notice swelling after the initial inflammation has subsided, this may indicate an infection. If you experience any symptoms that indicate infection following your oral surgery, contact your doctor immediately. In most cases, they simply prescribe antibiotics to ensure proper healing.
Ways to Reduce Swelling
While swelling is common during recovery after oral surgery, there are ways to minimize the effect. When you return home after your procedure, the doctor may suggest that you apply a cold compress or ice pack to your face or chin for 20 minutes and then remove it for another 20 minutes. Keep this trade on and off as much as possible for the first 24 hours as this is the most important time frame. You can continue the ice treatment for the next two days. However, after 72 hours, the cold compress will not provide any additional benefit. Moist heat is usually recommended in the following days.
It is important to keep your head elevated after dental implants are placed. You can take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or naproxen as well as prescription medications. These will not only reduce swelling but also relieve any discomfort.
Experience a Comfortable Healing
Whatever methods you use to combat swelling, bruising, and other side effects after dental implant surgery, be sure to closely follow the guidelines provided by your dentist or surgeon. By doing this, you can give yourself the best chance for optimal and rapid recovery.
