We live in a very vast world, and these days many of us find ourselves traveling to places near and far, for business or pleasure! And if travel is a large part of your life, you might be wondering if something like dental implant placement could potentially ground you for a while—not necessarily! Here’s more from your trusted dentist about dental implant placement and when you can conveniently resume your travels after rebuilding your smile.
What to Expect Following Dental Implant Surgery
Dental implants are considered the gold standard for replacing missing teeth due to their unique design and placement process. A titanium post is surgically placed directly into a patient’s jawbone, where it functions as the root of the missing tooth. Once this site heals and the post has fused with the jawbone, a like-life and durable replacement tooth is attached to the top of the post. The result is a full restoration of the lost tooth in terms of look, feel, and functionality.
Though this process sounds complex, thanks to advancements in dental technology, it’s now quite straightforward. While some patients require a preliminary procedure (such as a dental bone graft, periodontal therapy, or a sinus lift) before they can receive implants, the primary objectives during dental implant surgery recovery are simple: protect the surgical sites, keep the mouth clean, and adhere to any other guidelines provided by your oral surgeon, such as dietary restrictions.
Is It Okay to Travel After Receiving Dental Implants?
Since a lot hinges on making a smooth recovery following dental implant placement, it’s natural for patients to wonder how it’ll affect their day-to-day, as well as other aspects of their life including travel plans. But you should be happy to hear that whether you’re planning to travel by land, air, or sea, dental implant recovery rarely impedes the ability to safely travel.
That said, depending on the specifics of your circumstances, your oral surgeon might recommend that you wait a bit before embarking. For instance, if you’ve received four or more implants at once, you should delay flying for 10 – 14 days to minimize potential complications during healing. The same goes for patients that have undergone major preliminary procedures such as bone grafts or sinus lifts.
But for patients who’ve simply received one or two implants, or those who weren’t required to undergo a preliminary procedure, it’s usually okay to fly immediately with little concern. Just be sure that regardless, you’re adhering to your post-surgery guidelines and taking care of your mouth to prevent complications. Stock up on soft foods at the airport terminal, take an over-the-counter painkiller before the flight, and pack plenty of gauze and a cold compress if possible.
You shouldn’t have to worry about canceling your next trip or booking a later flight if you’ve just undergone dental implant surgery. Patients with concerns may decide to wait 10 days as a general rule of thumb, but for most individuals, there’s nothing to stress about!
About the Practice
Our team here at Dr. Costa & Dr. Waxman Family Dentistry is excited to provide a comprehensive range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services for patients and families in the Worcester, MA community! If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to schedule a visit to see if you might benefit from dental implant surgery, feel free to contact us online or over the phone for additional information or assistance. Telephone: (508) 755-1980.