The recovery period for dental implants will be somewhat different depending on the individual case and the procedures necessary to complete the treatment. Systemic medical conditions such as diabetes may lengthen the recovery period, as well as not following the dentist’s recommendations for good oral health. Healing from the surgery to place dental implants may take up to six months. This is normal and allows time for the bone to properly fuse to the implant screw or root and the gum to heal. It also takes into account the time needed for the swelling to go completely down and presumes that the implant procedure does not have any serious complications.

There are definite dos and don’ts which must be followed to increase the chances of a successful procedure. Maintaining oral health cannot be stressed enough, proper hygiene habits are necessary to help the implant screw or root successfully fuse to the surrounding bone.

There are certain steps that a patient can take to improve the final outcome of the procedure:

• If a patient has persistent bleeding placing a moistened black tea bag on the implant will help stop the bleeding. It must be "black tea" because it is the tannin in black tea that helps to control the bleeding.

• When sleeping after the surgery the patient’s head should be elevated above the heart to help reduce bleeding.

• Swelling and pain can be lessened by placing an ice pack on the patient’s face for 30 minutes once an hour.

• Smoking should be avoided for at least five days after the surgery because it will seriously slow the healing process.

• Directions for taking any antibiotics and using antibacterial rinses should be carefully followed.

• Soothe and cleanse the area that was operated on by using lukewarm saltwater rinses. Start the rinses the day after surgery and continue for approximately two weeks or for a timeframe recommended by your oral specialist.

• The non-affected teeth may be brushed gently 24 hours after surgery.

One area that needs to be taken into consideration is diet:

• The patient should eat only cool and soft foods for about a week after the surgery. Hot foods and liquids should be avoided because these can dissolve the protective blood clots that form in the wound. This can cause more bleeding and if a tooth was recently extracted it might lead to a painful and infected dry socket.

• Drinking from a straw can also dislodge a blood clot and cause a dry socket.

• Carbonated drinks should be avoided during the first week or so after oral surgery.

While there are numerous factors that combine to determine if an implant is successful, following these steps will certainly have a positive effect on the outcome.