If you’ve had dental implants or are thinking about them, knowing what to expect after they’re surgically implanted into your jaw is good. You’ll be thrilled with your gorgeous new smile of natural-looking teeth that feel and function just like the teeth you had before tooth loss—even better in many cases. Regardless of what has led you to read about post-procedure expectations, we’re glad you’re here to learn more about how to care for your dental implants following the procedure.

Columbia, SC implant dentist Dr. Adam Hahn and his team at Smile Columbia Dentistry will be with you every step of the way during the procedure, and we’ll make sure you know exactly how to care for those beautiful implants once the entire journey is finished.

Innovative Dental Implant Technology in Columbia

With our unique advanced dental technology, including Planmeda ProMax CBCT (Cone Beam Computer Tomography), we can provide hundreds of people with stunning smiles with dental implants each year.

Many modern dental procedures depend on precise imaging of the treatment area. This is especially vital for dental implants, which need sufficient bone to support them; this technology allows us to know your bones’ exact shape and density before we start your dental implant journey. CBCT is a series of X-rays we can combine into a 3D image. It’s open and comfortable and uses less radiation than a traditional CT scanner.

Different Types of Dental Implants in Columbia

Whether your implants are traditional dental implants or the hugely popular All-On-X® dental implants, you will have to follow some specific instructions after your procedure.

At Smile Columbia Dentistry, All-On-X® Dental Implants allow us to replace an entire arch of teeth with only four titanium implant posts. We can complete this procedure in just one surgery. Even if some of your teeth need to be extracted, you can have a brand new smile in one day at Smile Columbia Dentistry.

The great news is that no bone graft is necessary with All-On-X® Dental Implants, which makes this an affordable, appealing choice for many of our patients facing tooth loss.

Post-Operative Dental Implant Care in Columbia, SC

When you get dental implants in Columbia with Dr. Hahn at Smile Columbia Dentistry, you will be given specific post-operative care instructions.

Don’t worry if you can’t remember the instructions, as we will print those out for you, and we will also encourage you to call Smile Columbia Dentistry any time you have a question about post-operative care or if you are experiencing any concerning post-surgery problems like excessive bleeding or ongoing pain (both infrequent occurrences).

 Caring for dental implants is relatively easy if you’ve recently had dental implants in Columbia, SC, or are considering having dental implants and want to know what to expect.

Dr. Hahn and his dental implant team will review post-operative care instructions.

On the day you receive the implants:

  • Even though you will feel like you want to spit, you must urge the desire to do so. Instead, you may use a tissue to wipe your mouth or swallow your saliva.
  • You cannot use a straw as that will create problems requiring you to return to the office.
  • If you’re a smoker, you cannot smoke cigarettes after having dental implants in Columbia.
  • Keep your fingers and tongue away from the surgical area; even if your hands are sanitized, keep them out of your mouth. Resist the urge to touch or feel the implanted areas.
  • Get as much rest as possible.
  • Do not work
  • Do not exercise
  • Eat and drink ONLY the foods and beverages on the list provided at Smile Columbia Dentistry.
  • Call the office with any questions or symptoms that continue longer than they should.
  • Dr. Hahn will explain how long you should feel pain and tenderness, and if that persists, please let us know.

Spitting, using a straw, smoking, and touching the surgical area can dislodge the blood clot that’s forming and will cause bleeding. Smoking can cause significant problems to the implanted regions and can be disastrous to your health as you recover from this surgery.

Bleeding

Some minor bleeding is expected following your dental implant surgery. It will usually subside quickly and stop within an hour or two. You’ll experience oozing for a few hours after the surgery; keep gauze on the surgical area according to Dr. Hahn’s directions.

Swelling

Swelling following surgery is expected, and swelling may increase for 24–48 hours before it subsides. Some dental implant recipients have facial bruising post-surgery, but not everyone.

Diet

Avoid chewing on the implant areas and follow the diet instructions to the letter. In no time, you’ll be able to enjoy all your favorite foods again!

Oral hygiene

Brush and floss according to Dr. Hahn’s directions. Soft, gentle brushing and flossing, when you can, is crucial to allowing the dental implant areas to heal nicely.

Sutures

Your dissolvable sutures may be gone in four to ten days; every patient is different.

Restoration Placement

A dental crown can be attached to a dental implant once the implant has fused to the bone through osseointegration. The length of time the bone must heal varies and depends on many factors, including how many implants you have and how stable they are.

Medications

Take all medications as prescribed, especially antibiotics. Call Smile Columbia Dentistry if you have any vomiting or other ill effects from your prescriptions.

Learn More About Dental Implants in Columbia and Post-Surgery Care

If you want to learn more about dental implants or have dental implants from another practice in Columbia or a surrounding area and are experiencing problems, please call Smile Columbia Dentistry at (803) 781-9090. You may also fill out our online contact form, and one of our dental team members will reach out to help.