Home for Healing: When to Resume Work After Dental Implant Surgery

While dental implant treatment is quite smooth, healing from it takes time. You should stay home from your job during this recovery phase. Still, that leaves you with a pressing question: When could you resume work after dental implant surgery? Never fear – your Hammon dentist is here to address this matter. To that end, here’s a primer on the factors that affect implant healing time and tips for a smooth recovery.

It Depends on the Healing Time

After a dental implant surgery, most patients should take two days off from their job. However, the exact amount of downtime you need will depend on your case. Various factors can impact your healing time, including:

Number of Implants

A patient getting one or two dental implants will have an easier recovery. Often enough, they can go back to work the day after surgery.

In contrast, those receiving three or more implants will face extra hurdles. Given possible swelling, bruising, and other post-surgery effects, a patient may want to take an extra day or two off.

Bone Grafting

When a jaw lacks enough bone tissue to support dental implants, a dentist can perform bone grafts. These procedures can add to a patient’s overall healing time.

Based on their complexity, bone grafts can add more or less time to recovery. Simpler ones don’t often affect the treatment timetable much, while complex ones can make healing take much longer.

Pre-Existing Health Issues

If you have any pre-existing health issues, they may add to your recovery time. You’d then need to wait longer before you return to work.

Of course, the nature of these medical problems is the crucial factor. Chronic issues like hormonal imbalances, a weak immune system, or substance abuse can greatly delay recovery. To compensate, a patient may need to skip up to a week of work.

How to Heal from Dental Implant Surgery

It’s possible to resume work more quickly after a dental implant surgery. Really, all you’d need to do is follow your dentist’s post-op instructions. Common examples are:

• Eat a soft food diet, without alcohol, to stave off complications.
• Keep your mouth clean to avoid infections.
• Take prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication as needed.

Given the points above, don’t be too eager for work after dental implant surgery. Consult your dental provider to ensure you recover enough first!

About the Practice

Center for Advanced Cosmetic Dentistry is based in Hammonton, NJ. Led by Drs. Crescenzo, Montalbano, and Vitello, our practice is always eager to help smiles thrive! That’s why we offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments tailored to your mouth and its needs. With this approach, our team can quickly and smoothly make anyone’s grin healthy and stunning. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (609)-561-0058.