Halfway through the year, you need a break. You need to fly away to a calm, beautiful setting where your cares can melt away, but you also would like to get dental implants. Wanting to kill two birds with one stone, you think you can fly to your get-away immediately after your implant placement so that you can relax by the beach while you heal.
Hold on! You may need to discuss the timing with your periodontist, or specialist who is performing your surgery. They can clarify if you should wait to travel and for how long. Why would postponing travel possibly be necessary? What is the commonly recommended recovery time for this procedure? What are some aftercare tips to keep in mind regardless of when you travel? Keep reading to find out!
Why Would I Need to Wait to Fly After Receiving Dental Implants?
Although the dental implant placement procedure is considered minor surgery, it still requires a recovery period afterward. Especially if you must undergo other treatment, such as a bone graft or a sinus lift, your body will need additional time to rest and heal at home.
Whether you’re a passenger, pilot, or flight attendant, flying can be stressful and uncomfortable even when you’re not recovering from minor surgery. However, you don’t have to worry about the cabin pressure affecting the site. The seating arrangements may not be ideal, but the altitude change shouldn’t cause extra bleeding or pain. Waiting simply helps you feel better before the stress of travel.
How Long Should I Wait to Fly After I Get Dental Implants?
Dental implant cases can vary drastically from patient to patient—as will the aftercare instructions. Depending on several factors, the patient may be able to bounce back fairly quickly, but in other cases, recovery may take more time.
Although those who receive just one simple dental implant may be able to fly immediately without any setbacks, the generally recommended timeframe is waiting at least a couple of days to fly after dental implant placement. After this period, flying poses a much smaller risk of discomfort.
What Do I Need to Do to Ensure Proper Healing After Dental Implant Placement?
Whether you decide to travel immediately or not, there are certain instructions you must follow if you want to avoid complications, infections, and pain. For instance, while you may have a cool drink by the pool, you should avoid using a straw for at least 48 hours after your dental implant procedure. The sucking motion could remove the essential blood clot, causing an excruciating complication called dry socket. You should also refrain from strenuous activity, including lifting heavy luggage, for that same 48-hour period. Carefully continue to brush and floss your teeth and keep your mouth clean by rinsing warm saltwater in your mouth for a few days.
Ultimately, flying right away after you’ve had dental implants placed isn’t ideal or recommended for everyone, but may be possible. Just be sure to follow your periodontist’s instructions, and you should be fine!
About the Practice
At Rocky Mountain Periodontal Specialists, we have three periodontists on staff, who are extensively trained and experienced in placing dental implants, bone grafts, and other periodontal services. If you are interested in learning more about dental implant aftercare, you may contact our Colorado Springs practice online or call our office at 719-574-4867.