When Can You Return to Work After Dental Implant Surgery?

Although you may not be itching to go back to work following dental implant surgery, for some, the desire to return to your regular schedule and minimize how many vacation days you use may be very important. While dental implant surgery is a minimally-invasive procedure, it’s still important to allow yourself time to properly heal and make sure that your implants are able to successfully fuse with your jawbone. This may require requesting some days off work. Read on to learn how long you’ll need to take off work following this crucial step towards rebuilding your smile.

Factors That Can Impact Your Recovery Time

There are many details of your procedure that can impact how long it will take for you to recover. This is why it’s important to speak directly with your dentist beforehand so you can adequately prepare for the post-operative period. Some factors that can play into your recovery include:

• How many dental implants you’re going to have placed.
• Whether you have any pre-existing medical conditions.
• If you receive dental sedation during your surgery.
• Your body’s individual, unique response to the procedure.

While some of these factors can be accounted for, like how many implants you’re planning on having placed, others can’t. Because of this, it’s important to keep an eye out for any unusual reactions to sedation, any medications you’ll be taking, and symptoms of infections that could develop after your surgery.

How Much Time Off Should You Request?

Based on the details above, you’ll want to make a recovery plan before your surgery. Typically, patients who are only having one or two dental implants placed feel better quickly following their surgery. In some cases, they’re able to return to work the very next day following their procedure.

If you receive sedation, local anesthesia, or have several implants placed, you’re likely to experience a longer recovery period. Because of lingering grogginess due to the medications, you’ll want to avoid driving and doing any type of physical activity. This means that if you have a job that requires you to be on your feet all day, you’ll want to take off a few extra days to ensure you receive adequate rest. In short, your recovery period following your procedure could take anywhere from 24 hours to multiple days.

Tips for a Speedy Recovery

If you want to make a faster recovery, it’s crucial to follow your dentist’s post-operative instructions. Typically, these include resting for the first 24 hours and avoiding physical activity for the days following your procedure, eating a soft diet, and taking any prescribed medications. If you experience some soreness and discomfort, you can apply ice in 10 minute intervals, 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off. If at any point you’re concerned about your symptoms or level of discomfort, don’t wait to reach out to your dentist.

While it may be tempting to only request a day off of work after your dental implant placement, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, allowing yourself ample time to rest up, heal, and feel better. By taking care of your body and mouth, you’ll also be reducing any chances of post-operative complications, ensuring your recovery goes smoothly.

About the Author

Dr. Jonathan Aguilar is committed to serving his community, helping his patients restore and rebuild not only their smiles, but also their confidence. He is a graduate of Texas A&M College of Dentistry and is a highly compassionate individual, taking the time to help his patients understand the ins-and-outs of their treatments. He offers a wide range of services to restore smiles, including dental implants, and partners with some of the best dental implant specialists in Denton to make sure his patients achieve ideal results. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit Aguilar Family Dentistry’s website or call 940-566-5332.