Comprehensive, Compassionate
Dental Care in Newtown

Post-Op Care for Dental Implants

At Pleasant Dental, we can provide you with information regarding post-op care for dental implants. This is the most durable and natural-looking way to replace your missing teeth, but it requires oral surgery, meaning there is a recovery process that must be taken into consideration. When you visit our Newtown, CT dental office, we can conduct an examination, take X-rays, and let you know what to expect from the implants procedure. This also includes what to expect during your recovery process. For more information, we encourage you to call (203) 426-0500 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis TeeKing and Dr. James E. Pucci. In the meantime, here is what you should know.

Schedule An Appointment

Prior to getting started, we will conduct an examination to determine if you have cavities or infections in any of your other teeth or if you have gum disease. If so, these things will need to be treated prior to placing implants. It is critical that you start the process in good oral health. This initial exam and X-rays will also determine if you have sufficient bone density to support dental implants. If you do not, you may need a bone grafting procedure prior to getting started.

Yes, if you are a diabetic and have been unable to control your blood sugar, it can make it more difficult to recover from the procedure. This makes it important to let us know if you have had a diabetic episode recently, so we can coordinate the timing of your implant surgery for the best possible results.

In our Newtown dental office, we encourage patients to place some soft ice packs in the freezer. Using them, along with taking ibuprofen, can help to reduce swelling. You should also buy soft foods to eat and plan on taking a couple of days off work. Your gums will be swollen and sore for a few days, so while you will be able to work, you will not be feeling 100 percent and may have difficulty communicating like normal. If you need to work, ask if you can have light duty for a few days or if you can work from home.

At Pleasant Dental, we recommend you eat soft foods that are not too hot or too cold. For example, you should buy yogurt, soft cheese, ice cream, soup to eat at a warm temperature, and fruit to make smoothies. This way, you can receive the nutrition you need without irritating your gums. You can slowly begin to add normal food back into your diet, but should avoid eating anything hard, sharp, or difficult to chew for several days. For example, eat a hamburger without the bacon or an omelet instead of waffles. During your recovery, you need to make these simple adjustments that allow you to eat what you need without exposing your gums to anything harmful.