Advances in technology and knowledge have made dental implant surgery much easier to recover from now than in decades past. But it's still an invasive surgery that your body will treat as an injury, and you need to acknowledge that. Before the surgery is scheduled, speak with your dentist about what recovery time you'll need and what you have to avoid doing. This will help you choose a surgery date that allows for maximum rest and recovery.

Recovery Time Varies 

Some people are lucky and feel much better after a day or two. Others may take up to a couple of weeks to recover, especially if they've had more intense procedures done, such as getting multiple implants in one surgery. Pay attention to what your dentist tells you to prepare for and to how your body feels as time passes. Do not overwork yourself when you should be resting.

Baby Your Jaws and Teeth

You need to be careful about what you eat and drink after surgery—no hot foods, no hard foods, nothing sticky. Discuss this with your dentist before you go in for surgery, and make sure you have acceptable meals and drinks at home, ready for you when you return so you don't have to worry about finding food that won't hurt the surgery site. You'll need to baby your jaws and teeth, so mild, nutritious food and drink are necessary as are gentle brushing and flossing of your other teeth; ask your dentist about flossing near the surgery site after the first couple of days of recovery.

Remember It's More Than Just Your Jaw That Needs to Recover

Your jaw may have borne the brunt of the surgery procedure, but your entire body will be involved in the recovery. As a result, you could feel exhausted and even a bit weak as your body concentrates on the initial healing. Don't worry! You'll quickly feel better. But in the day or two after the surgery, especially if you needed multiple implants, your body will need rest. If you try to get back to your normal activity level immediately, your body's resources will be stretched thin. You may want to schedule the surgery for just before a weekend (or whenever you usually have days off) to increase the amount of time off work. Do make sure you ask your dentist about where to call if there is an issue over the weekend when the dental office is closed.

When you schedule your dental implant surgery appointment, try to get as much time after it as possible to rest and recover. You don't need to go into extended convalescence, but you do need to give yourself a few days to take it easy.

Contact a local dental office, such as Signature Dental, to learn more.