[socasusie]

Hi Bryanna,

I'm hoping you have time to answer a quick question. You've helped me a ton in the past.

I'm having 2 dental implants uncovered and the healing caps placed-it's been 6 months since implant placement.

First, how painful is this and what is the expected recovery? As a reminder, I have lupus so things can take longer to heal than normal-in fact my rheumatologist wants me on antibiotics as a precaution. If you recall you were surprised my rheumatologist and him decided extraction of 1 tooth, placement of 2 implants was a lot at once. It's the bottom 2 molars on the right if that's important.

Second, he's placing the healing caps and wants them to heal a month before we do impressions for the crowns. Is that normal? I've read online and that seems longer than normal. I'm wondering if maybe it's the lupus that makes him want to move slower?

I'm just nervous, and want to make sure I'm mentally prepared, and also that I don't need more time off work.

Thank you in advance any insight you can provide!

[Bryanna]

Hi socasusie,

Happy New Year!

Uncovering dental implants is usually fairly simple. It basically depends on how much gum tissue has grown over the top and around them. The dentist will numb the area and use either a scalpel or a laser to gently remove the over grown tissue. There is limited bleeding, less bleeding with the laser. The healing caps are screwed on and the area is allowed to sit for about a month. It is best to leave the area alone for that length of time before doing impressions because the gum tissue will once again grow around (not over) the collar of these little caps which makes the impression much more accurate thus the fit of the implant crowns more precise.

I think you will do fine and be surprised at how simple this procedure is. You shouldn't need any additional time off of work.

Hope this helps!! Keep us posted
Bryanna

Originally Posted by socasusie

Hi Bryanna,

I'm hoping you have time to answer a quick question. You've helped me a ton in the past.

I'm having 2 dental implants uncovered and the healing caps placed-it's been 6 months since implant placement.

First, how painful is this and what is the expected recovery? As a reminder, I have lupus so things can take longer to heal than normal-in fact my rheumatologist wants me on antibiotics as a precaution. If you recall you were surprised my rheumatologist and him decided extraction of 1 tooth, placement of 2 implants was a lot at once. It's the bottom 2 molars on the right if that's important.

Second, he's placing the healing caps and wants them to heal a month before we do impressions for the crowns. Is that normal? I've read online and that seems longer than normal. I'm wondering if maybe it's the lupus that makes him want to move slower?

I'm just nervous, and want to make sure I'm mentally prepared, and also that I don't need more time off work.

Thank you in advance any insight you can provide!

[socasusie]

Happy new year to you too!

Thank you so much-I'll stop stressing now! That sounds very easy straight forward. I'm stocking up on my stuff for my heathy juices (I'm adding unsweetened kefir to them this time because of the probiotics) and soups, and have my probiotics read to go. Waiting the month makes perfect sense so that the crown fits as perfect as possible.

With my other implants, they were able to have the healing caps on the whole time, but this time it wasn't appropriate so it's all new.

Than you again, that really does sound so easy compared to the extraction/implants. I'll let you know how it goes!

[socasusie]

Hi Bryanna, just a quick update. It went really well-he said it had all healed perfectly. I won't lie, I'm super, duper sore which is to be expected, but it's totally tolerable.

Thank you again for all your help!

[Bryanna]

Hi socasusie,

YAY! So glad to hear it went well and things have healed as planned!

Yes, sometimes the area will feel a bit sore. But that should not last more than a few days at most. Keep the area clean and keep rinsing with the warm salt water every day.

Bryanna

Originally Posted by socasusie

Hi Bryanna, just a quick update. It went really well-he said it had all healed perfectly. I won't lie, I'm super, duper sore which is to be expected, but it's totally tolerable.

Thank you again for all your help!