How Long on Soft Diet After Implant?

Question

I am a 48 year old woman in good health. I had one implant to address a fractured root (old root canal). The implant was 6 months after bone graft. The doctor provided care guidelines suggested 6 weeks on soft food. This seems out of line with other recommendations on the internet suggesting one to two weeks at most on a soft diet.

Scott Young, DDS · Answer

The best advice for you is that the longer you can go without direct contact on the implant while healing is occurring the better the chance you have of full integration (bone formation around the implant.) If the implant is buried under the gum tissue you do not need to worry. If there is a healing abutment (small, round piece of metal above the gums) on the implant you should avoid hard foods (chips, nuts , apples, etc) for at least six weeks. Keep great hygiene during this time, but keep an ultrasonic brush away from this area during healing. Good luck.

Jessica Wyatt, DDS · Answer

If your implant has been placed and is completely buried under the gums, meaning that no part of it sticks up out of the gums, then you should be okay to resume normal diet after 1-2 weeks once the gums have healed from the procedure. However, if you have a healing abutment or any other piece that sticks up out of the gums, you will want to have a careful/soft diet for the 6 weeks and have excellent hygiene in the area because this time is critical for the implant integration. Make sure to keep the area clean, and I would avoid using any kind of electric toothbrush in the area that may disturb the implant. Hope this helps!

Michael Ayzin, DDS · Answer

Thank you for your question Jean. You are right. In general it sounds a little long and causious, but longer the better. More chance implant will integrate with the bone around it. We are all different. Your doctor , who actually placed implant, knows YOUR case the best. I would trust his judgement though.

Dan Hagi, DDS · Answer

An implant placed in the jawbone needs time to integrate with bone.  This time of healing needs to be undisturbed.  Small movement of the implant can cause bone malformation and therefore a softer attachment that will lead to future failure.  In an ideal scenario this healing takes 12-14 weeks.  The implant starts to get stronger in bone after about 6-8 weeks. I always suggest that a softer diet be eaten during the healing and the area around where the implant was placed not used for chewing.  3 months is a short time to sacrifice harder foods to ensure proper healing.  Soft foods include anything that you can easily cut with a fork.Best,

Brian Dorfman, MD, DMD · Answer

The healing time depends on the actual dental implant procedure performed and the tooth which was replaced. If the implant was placed and "buried" under the gums for the healign period, a few days of soft diet is all that is necessary. IF a temporary crown or and exposed abutment was placed on the implant at teh time of placement 3-4 months of "no chewing" on the implant is necessary because integration of the implant will be compromized if undue force is placed on it during the critical healing period. You can always eat solid foods on the other side of your mouth in any event, or if it is a front tooth then you can chew with your back teeth

Ronald Konig DDS · Answer

The reason for taking it easy on the implant that was placed is that  you want the implant to integrate or fuse to your bone.  Ask your dentist why he suggested 6 weeks of soft food.

	You might want to ask if you can eat what you want on the opposite side.  

	I just do not want to see you start chewing if there is something that your dentist saw or knows about to recommend 6 weeks.

	 The name of the game is success.

	 

	Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF

H. Ryan Kazemi, DMD · Answer

If implant was done as single stage (the temporary cap placed at same time) then it is good to be cautious for 6 weeks and chew with other side as much as possible. If it was submerged under gum tissue, 10-14 days is more than adequate for gentle and soft diet.

	 

	Dr. kazemi

Bernard Ian Krupp, DDS · Answer

Dietary recommendations follow dental implant placement varies based on the individuals treatment. Each provider of care may have a differences in opinion .. It is always best to follow the guidelines given by your surgeon, you may have special circumstances that require a soft diet longer then normally recommended. With that being said, typical with a non-compromised placement of a dental implant, cover screw or healing cap, we would recommend a soft diet for one week…

Wendy S. Spektor, DDS · Answer

Common sense should guide you on your care after getting an Implant. It does take months for your Implant to integrate so there are some pre-cautions. If you have an immediate load Implant(there is a tooth visible already) then the guidelines are important. Don't use your Sonicare in the area so you don't vibrate too aggressively, and monitor your diet which includes not chewing on ice, etc. If the Implnat is buried, then you can be less cautious.

Soheyla Marzvaan, DDS (retired) · Answer

the first 6-8 weeks of placing an implant ( whether immediate load or not) is very important . Do not put chewing pressure there. No sonic element (sonic tooth brush, sonic water pick) should get close to the area .

How Long on Soft Diet After Implant?

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