Symptoms you may notice
Implant placement is a major procedure, so some downtime is normal, whether you have a single implant or full-mouth implants. These symptoms are part of healing, not signs that something went wrong:
- Fever
- Bleeding
- Inflammation
- Discomfort
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
You may also have swelling of the face and gums, bruising of the gums and skin, pain around the implant and light bleeding. Most of this improves with rest and patience. Your dentist may prescribe pain relievers or antibiotics. After each stage of treatment, eat soft foods until the site heals. Stitches are usually self-dissolving, and if they are not, the dentist removes them later.
If pain, swelling or other symptoms get worse in the days after surgery, tell us right away.
How long recovery takes
You recover from anesthesia within a few hours. Stitches typically dissolve within a few days to about two weeks. Symptoms come and go, and then the next stage of healing begins.
Before a permanent tooth can be attached, the implant must go through osseointegration, in which the bone fuses to the post. This can take from five to seven months, and the upper jaw takes longer to fuse than the lower arch.
What affects healing time
- How many implants are placed, and where. More implants mean longer healing, and the lower jaw usually heals faster than the upper.
- How well you care for your mouth
- Smoking
- Whether you also need a bone graft or a sinus lift
- How long the tooth has been missing
Every patient is different, so the exact timeline is hard to predict. Good oral hygiene before and during treatment helps you heal quickly. Smoking and other tobacco use slow healing, because nicotine narrows the blood vessels and limits blood flow. Over the long term, tobacco can even lead to implant failure.
Next steps
For day-by-day instructions on eating, rinsing and activity, read our guide to post-op care for dental implants. Once the implant has healed and your crown is on, here is how to make it last. For questions about your own recovery, or to schedule a follow-up visit, call our Revere office at (781) 289-3331.