Your senior parent’s dental implant surgery may be over, but the real work starts the moment they arrive home. Recovery is different for everyone, but knowing how to help can make a real difference. Which side effects are normal? What should they eat? How should they take care of their smile? A dentist will answer these questions before sending your loved one home, but here are some helpful tips to make healing smoother and more successful.
Is It True That Older Adults Experience Longer Healing Times After Dental Implant Surgery?
Age is a factor, but it’s more about a person’s overall health and how well they heal. Healthy bones and well-managed chronic conditions (like diabetes) increase the chances of successful implant placement. This is even more plausible if your aging parent doesn’t smoke!
Research indicates that patients over 65 have success rates for dental implant placement similar to those of much younger patients. Ultimately, however, it depends on jawbone density, certain medications, medical conditions, and oral hygiene.
How Can You Create a Smoother Dental Implant Recovery for Your Senior Parent?
Your role as caregiver will require you to wear many hats while taking care of your aging loved one, but there are things you can do to make recovery easy, smooth, and successful:
- Make Sure They Have the Right Foods: Before surgery, go to the grocery store and stock up on soft foods. Yogurt, eggs, pasta, pudding, mashed potatoes, and soup are all good options for the days after the procedure.
- Encourage Necessary Rest: This can be hard if you have a parent who doesn’t like “just sitting around,” but it’s necessary. Once you get them home, make sure they don’t exert too much physical energy. Crossword puzzles, TV shows, card or board games, and knitting are all suitable (and safe) ways to pass the time.
- Get Their Medications In Order: Use a pill organizer for any medications they need to take. Find out which ones they can begin taking again (they may need to stop certain ones to undergo dental implant surgery) and when. Add any new medicines prescribed by their dentist, if needed.
- Listen to Their Concerns: If your parent is telling you they’re hurting, listen to them. Some side effects are normal, like minor swelling and soreness. But if they worsen, or if they develop a fever or persistent bad breath, call the dentist’s office right away.
Recovery is about providing steady support so that your loved one can heal comfortably and enjoy the long-term benefits of their new smile. However, if you have questions at any point, don’t hesitate to contact their dentist.
About the Author
Dr. Mark Makram earned his dental degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in 1993. After moving to Florida, he provided his extensive skills and experience to patients in Naples in 1997. He graduated from the Advanced Prosthetic and Surgical Program at Temple University and the Misch International Implant Institute, and he is a fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Dr. Makram offers dental implants to patients who want to see a complete, healthy smile, so if you’re interested in these prosthetics, no matter your age, visit our website or call (239) 513-9990 to schedule a consultation.