When Can I Return to Work After Dental Implant Surgery?

Any surgery should be followed by a day’s rest. While surgery for dental implants is not considered major, returning home and resting should be observed to make sure any concerns about bleeding are minimized. Following the advice provided by your dentist is always advisable, so take as many days off as recommended.

The placing of dental implants for most patients is done using either a local or topical anesthetic. A local anesthetic is injected into the tissue area at the site where the implant will be placed. The gum area becomes numb allowing the dentist and patient to proceed with the procedure without concern for discomfort. At the patient’s request, a topical application may be applied to the site of the implant that eases discomfort, but does not have any lasting effect.

A dental implant is a unit made from titanium that when successfully fused with jaw bone becomes the base for the unit or units it is intended to support. Titanium is the metal of choice for its ability to acclimate to the body preventing rejection along with its fusing capability.

The patient can have one or several implants surgically embedded depending on how many units or teeth are being supplanted. One implant for one tooth; two implants for an implanted supported bridge; or several implants to permanently place a denture … the number of implants and how easy the procedure was completed may also dictate of the number of days before the patient may want to return to work.

The surgical area must be kept clean to prevent infection. This is done by brushing, flossing, and often rinsing. The actual implant will have a protective covering to prevent movement to the implant … if it is moved or dislodged, the implant is considered a failure and must be redone.

The day following implant placement is usually acceptable for most patients to return to work; however, if the individual performs manual labor or is very active for their job, they may be advised to take one more additional day before returning to work.

The healing period can take four to six months before the patient can expect to receive their final restoration. At treatment completion, the individual will be able to eat all their favorite foods, speak without fear, and smile broadly with their new, permanent restoration.

If you are considering dental implants, but need more information, call our experienced implant team at 972-264-5795 today.