The frequency of these appointments will vary and will decrease the longer that you’ve had the implants. As you heal in the weeks after the initial dental implant placement surgery, your oral surgeon will want to follow you more closely in order to monitor the healing process and promptly address any issues that arise.
You likely will first visit the oral surgeon about 10 days to two weeks after implant placement. Depending on your case, the surgeon may also want you to check in every few weeks until osseointegration is complete.
Of course, if you notice any symptoms that may indicate some sort of post-operative complication, you should bring that to your oral surgeon’s attention immediately. Don’t feel that you need to wait for the follow-up appointment if you develop issues like fever or excessive bleeding.
Eventually, when the bone has fully integrated with the implant and it appears that the procedure was successful, your surgeon may discharge you from his or her care. The surgeon may want to keep tabs on other patients for a longer period of time, however, if their cases are complex or if other factors could affect the longevity of the implants.
Even after you have healed fully from dental implant placement, you will still need to get the devices checked from time to time, although the care will be aligned with your routine dental care. Make sure that your dentist and dental hygienist are aware of the location of your dental implants so that the devices can be cleaned properly during your regular preventive care.
Getting adequate follow-up care for your dental implants is essential to the durability and stability of the devices. Follow your oral surgeon’s instructions for professional care geared toward monitoring the well-being of your dental implants.