When Will You Be Able to Return to Work After Getting Dental Implants?

When you schedule an appointment to have dental implants surgically placed in your mouth, you’ll need to start planning for the recovery process. Naturally, you can expect to need to take a few days off of work – but exactly how many days will that be? The exact answer varies from patient to patient depending on a number of factors. Here’s what you should keep in mind before you commit to dental implant surgery.  

How Long Will You Need to Stay Home After Receiving Dental Implants?

In many cases, the answer is, “Not long at all!” Few patients need to take more than a couple of days off from work following dental implant placement, and some are even able to head back to the office the day after their procedure. That said, some people might need to spend more time resting at home than others.

Some of the factors that influence the timetable of your recovery include:

• The Number of Dental Implants: If you only need to have one or two dental implants placed, it won’t be long before you’re able to return to work. For procedures involving three or more implant posts, it may be a good idea to plan on taking a couple of extra days off.
• Pre-Existing Medical Issues: Hormonal imbalance, problems with your immune system, and other health conditions can affect your body’s ability to recover. In some cases, it may take up to a week for you to be able to return to your normal routine.
• Compliance with Post-Op Instructions: Your periodontist will give instructions for caring for your mouth after dental implant placement. Following these instructions is key to keeping your recovery time to a minimum.

What Can You Do to Speed Up Your Recovery?

If you don’t want to spend too much time at home after receiving your dental implants, you should keep these tips in mind:

• Avoid any kind of strenuous activity for at least a few days. Pushing your body too hard can slow down the healing process.
• Be gentle with your mouth by only eating soft, nutritious foods.
• Make sure your body has the fluids it needs for a successful recovery by drinking plenty of water.
• If any swelling occurs, you can reduce it by wrapping an ice pack in a towel and applying it to your face for 20-minute intervals.
• Keep the risk of post-surgical infection to a minimum by rinsing with salt water up to four times a day.
• Maintain excellent oral hygiene during your recovery. Be very careful when you’re brushing or flossing near your dental implant posts.

Every patient is different, and some might need more time off than others following dental implant surgery. Talk to your periodontist to see what advice they can give you to help you get back to work sooner.

About the Author

Dr. Justin Braga feels blessed to be able to create a healthy foundation for new teeth by placing dental implants. He has received a reward from the California Society of Periodontology for his research in dental implants, and he is currently a member of the Western Society of Periodontology. To schedule a dental implant consultation with Dr. Braga, visit his website or call (714) 587-9094.