3 Questions to Ask Your Dentist Before Dental Implant Surgery

With the prospect of dental implants, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of living with permanent teeth that don’t require the same level of upkeep as traditional dentures. However, before you undergo dental implant surgery in Jacksonville, you may have many questions about the process and what you can expect. Typically, your dentist will discuss all the details with you during an initial consultation, but if you don’t have all the answers you need, here are 3 questions you should ask before moving forward with your surgical procedure.

How Long Should My Recovery Take?

Every patient is different; however, the average timeframe for complete healing is between 3-6 months. It is strongly advised that you do not participate in strenuous activity for three days; however, light activity may resume once you begin to feel better. You should also not drive, operate machinery, or perform too much physical activity while taking any antibiotics or pain medication.

You will be expected to see your dentist a few weeks after surgery to ensure proper healing is occurring. Throughout recovery, you will actually have multiple follow-up appointments in which your dental team will make any adjustments before applying the metal abutment to the top of your implant.

Is It Normal to Ooze Blood After Leaving the Office?

Yes, it is common to have some blood start to ooze after your surgery. In fact, it may continue for another 2-3 days. Although there will be gauze placed over your implants, you’ll need to apply continuous pressure by firmly biting down to help cease bleeding. You’ll need to change out the gauze during this time, but you’ll also want to avoid spitting, rinsing, or applying other forms of pressure (i.e., sneezing), as this can cause more bleeding.

Should you experience heavy bleeding, fold multiple gauzes and wrap them around a moist tea bag (regular). Applying it to the surgical site and biting down for one hour can help to reduce bleeding; however, if you simply cannot stop it, call your dentist’s office as soon as possible.

Is It Natural to Feel Discomfort Following Surgery?

Yes, you can expect to feel some discomfort after your dental implant surgery; however, the extent is often determined by how many implants you had put into place. You may or may not receive a prescription for pain medication, but if you do not, you are free to take an over-the-counter pain reliever (i.e., Ibuprofen or Tylenol) as instructed. It is best to take something before your anesthetic wears off to minimize the impact of any discomfort you might experience.

After several days, the discomfort should start to dissipate, but it does vary from person to person. Makes sure to ask your dentist in Jacksonville when you should notify their office if the pain doesn’t go away within a designated amount of time.

Asking questions is part of the process when undergoing dental implant surgery. Don’t hesitate to bring a list with you to your consultation or schedule an appointment to further discuss with your dentist. Having all the information you need is essential to feeling confident about your upcoming procedure.

About the Author
Dr. Ryan Johnson is a trusted dentist who earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. Pursuing his Fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry, he is always looking for continuing education opportunities to hone his skillset. At one of the lead dental professionals at Jacksonville Dental Excellence, he and his team are capable of providing start-to-finish implant placement in-house to ensure a more comfortable experience for those living with tooth loss. If you have questions about your upcoming procedure, contact us at (904) 281-2566.