how long does dental implant swelling last

What is dental implant?

Before knowing about “how long does dental implant swelling last”, it is important to know about “what is dental implant?”. I will try to describe dental implant in a short paragraph and in easy language that every one can understand. Dental implants are replacement to tooth that are basically made up of high quality titanium. These are placed in place of teeth and dental crown is placed on the dental implants to make it safe and can be used for longer period.

It is the latest procedure to replace your broken teeth and it is the most safest way that has been invented till now. Although, patient need patience during its healing process. The healing process almost took 2 to 4 weeks to heal the jaw and gums heal properly. During healing process different directions are given to the patient including practice of food.

Postoperative time causes swelling and bruises in the gums and jaws but it is part of healing process and patient should show Patience. Almost, 80 to 90 percent of cases show very little bruises and swelling. But if swelling and bruises occur they can last for 8 and 14 days respectively.

Expectations after dental implants

Patient that has under gone dental implant can suffer from gums swelling and bruises. He should be strict related to his diet and daily healthy routine.

The normal extent of swelling after dental implants

Whenever your body under go any surgery or trauma swelling occur. The extent of swelling determines if your swelling is normal or abnormal. Swelling depends from patient to patient, sometime there is more swelling after the dental implants and sometimes there is less surgery after dental implants, it vary with condition of patient.

In some of the cases the skin color around the dental implants changes and bruises occur, but in other cases there are much lesser bruises.

After how long does dental implant pain disappear

Dentist always prefer to follow the protocol of surgery and they use local anesthesia or any sedative to make the procedure painless. After 5 to 6 hours when the effects of local anesthesia is vanished patient feel pain, to give relief from pain doctors recommend pain killers to the patient which provides relief for a specific time.

This pain can last for 1 week, but as time passes it will heal. Be careful during the first week of dental implant healing stage.

Gums healing time

It took almost 2 to 4 weeks for complete healing. Time of recovery basically depend upon the hygienic routine and food intake of the patient. Gums healing time mainly depends upon post operative patient’s attitude.

How to reduce swelling after dental implant procedure

There are various ways by which you can reduce swelling and pain that occur after dental implant surgery. Few of them are discussed here;

Maintain your oral hygiene

Hygiene is key factor to reduce pain and swelling of any site where surgery is performed. Keeping your wound clean after the surgery will help to avoid extra swelling and pain

Don’t touch your wound

Don’t disturb your wound again and again because it can cause excess of swelling which will lead to pain.

Elevate your head

Try to keep your head elevated because it will trigger faster healing. Your body will heal faster when it is in relaxed state

Don’t talk excessively

Avoid excess talk, keep your mouth still don’t move without any specific reason.

Use liquid and semi solid food

Avoid hard and sharp edged food. Use nutritious and healthy food in the form of liquid and semi solid like soup, juices, boiled eggs, mashed potatoes, ice cream etc.

You can move to normal diet when your dental implant is fully recovered.

Painkillers

Painkillers are recommend by the doctors to reduce swelling and pain. Doctor recommend NSAID (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen, which reduce the swelling in the gums as well as give relief from the pain.

Medication and ice application on face

Medication and application are one of the best way to reduce swelling of gums. These are best methods to control swelling that is caused after dental implant surgery, this swelling is normal as it occurred in result of trauma that is caused by dental surgery.

When you apply ice bags on your effected area with in the first 2 days of dental surgery, it will help in quick recovery. When the ice bags are applied it reduces the temperature of that specific area that will reduce blood flow due to constriction of blood vessels.

It is very important to follow the protocol, ice bags should be applied after each 15 to 20 min for 2 days, after that patient should switch to warm water that will enhance blood flow, which will improve blood circulation and improve wound healing procedure.

During all these medications and ice bags application, patient should strictly follow the protocol of post operative instructions that are given by the doctor to the patient. These instructions are briefly discussed in the article.

Other important tips

• Don’t smoke.
• Take proper rest.
• Clean your mouth with warm salty water 5 to 10 times a day.
• Increase intake of multi vitamin specially vitamin D.
• Drink a lot of water to keep your self hydrated. This will help you to heal faster and avoid extra swelling and pain
• It is very important that patient should follow the instructions of his doctor. Because these will make healing faster and chances of swelling will become lesser.

Postoperative infection after dental implant

Question arises how would you know that the swelling on the gums after dental implant is normal or due to any infection. I will try to answer this question briefly.

If your wound is not infected it will start showing healing results with in 2 to 3 days. but, if your swelling last for more than 7 days the it means that your wound is not healing and this is due to infection.

Excessive swelling after dental implant

Excessive swelling after dental implant is resulted due to infection and infection occur due to inappropriate care. To keep yourself safe from the infection, it is important to keep your wound clean and clear and instructions given by the dentist should be followed strictly.

Normal vs abnormal swelling

Normal swelling basically last for 3 to 4 days, it shows daily healing results and is reduced as the time passes. Normal swelling is completely healed within a week. Abnormal swelling don’t show any healing progress. This last for more than 7 days.