When Can I Return to Work After Dental Implant Surgery?

If you want to replace your missing teeth with the next best thing, there’s no better choice than dental implants! Unlike other options, dental implants rebuild the entire tooth structure from roots to crown, giving you a replacement that looks, feels, and functions just like natural. However, as you may suspect, restoring teeth both above and below the gumline requires a minor surgical procedure. As with any type of surgery, you’ll need to rest afterwards to ensure proper healing. So how soon can you go back to work after dental implant surgery? You can typically expect your healing period to last anywhere between a few days to a week or so depending on a few different factors. Here’s what will influence how long it will take you to recover from dental implant surgery.

Factor 1: Bone Grafting

Since jawbone deterioration is a natural consequence of tooth loss, many patients need to get a bone graft before their dental implant surgery. This preparatory procedure usually needs to be completed (and healed from) before moving on to dental implant placement. However, there are some instances when a bone graft can be performed at the same time as the dental implant surgery, in which case you can expect the healing process to take a bit longer than average.

Factor 2: Number of Implants

Dental implants are incredibly versatile and can be used to replace any number of missing teeth. Naturally, the more dental implants you’re having placed, the longer it will take to recover after surgery. After all, your body will heal faster from getting one dental implant than if you had received four or more.

Factor 3: Health Conditions

Do you have uncontrolled diabetes, thyroid issues, or rheumatoid arthritis? Medical conditions like these can interfere with how quickly and successfully you heal after dental implant surgery. That’s why your implant dentist will review your medical history with you before moving forward with treatment. Should you have any issues that could influence your recover time, they will discuss them with you and help you get your health on track.

Factor 4: Following Post-Op Instructions

Your implant dentist will give you specific post-operation instructions directly after your surgery. These directions will go over important aftercare topics such as pain medication, symptom management, diet guidelines, oral hygiene recommendations, and what warning signs to look out for. How closely you follow your dentist’s instructions will play a key role in how quickly you’ll recover from dental implant surgery and keep infection at bay.

Overall, most patients will be able to return to work within 1-3 days after their surgery. Of course it’s essential to give your new smile the time it needs to heal. This means that a patient with a desk job will be ready to get back to work sooner than someone with a physically demanding or active job. In either case, don’t try to rush your recovery time! Taking the necessary time to recover after dental implant surgery will help ensure that your dental implants last for decades to come.

About the Practice

Dr. Robert J. LoCastro is your local periodontist in Bethel Park. For over three decades, he has been helping his patients rebuild the strong, confident smiles they deserve with dental implants and other state-of-the-art treatments. With his thousands of hours of completed continuing education and renown as a leader in the field of implant dentistry, you can rest assured that when you visit Dr. LoCastro, your smile is in good hands! To learn more about the dental implant process, he can be contacted via his website or at (412) 833-6377.