Whether it’s for business or pleasure, people are flying more often than ever these days. Because of this, one of the questions that dentists hear all the time is, “When can I fly after getting dental implants?” While you won’t have to stay grounded for a long time following the procedure, it’s also not recommended to take to the skies the same day as your treatment. How long should you wait after receiving dental implants? It all comes down to the individual aspects of your procedure.
Simple Implant Placement
When dental implant placement is simple, that means a minimal amount of preparatory work had to be done to prepare the mouth ahead of the post being placed into the jawbone. Often, a dentist is able to position the new tooth root without having to do anything else beforehand.
In this situation, a patient could hypothetically fly the same day as their procedure and be perfectly safe. However, this isn’t recommended because they will need to change their gauze every 30 to 45 minutes (which may mean squeezing through the aisle multiple times), and any pain medication may cause someone to feel drowsy and lethargic as well. This isn’t exactly the ideal travel scenario! A good rule of thumb is to wait at least a day or two after the procedure, which will ensure the healing process starts on the right foot, plus the patient will have less to deal with during their trip.
Complex Implant Placement
While some patients can get dental implants relatively quickly, others may require treatments like gum disease therapy, extractions, or bone grafts before their mouth is healthy enough to support their new teeth. In these cases, it’s recommended to wait at least three to five days to fly following implant surgery. Too much activity and movement can slow healing, increase bleeding, and make soreness/swelling worse. That’s why patients are usually told to just take it easy after these procedures.
Also, if a patient is getting several (four to six) implants at once, they should wait about three to five days before flying to give their mouth adequate time to heal.
How to Plan
When you sit down with your implant dentist during a consultation, be sure to let them know if you fly often or if you have a big trip coming up. They may be able to schedule your treatment around your trips to make life easier, or they can give you more personalized advice on how long you should wait. That way, whether you’re on the ground or in the air, you can enjoy peace of mind.
About the Author
Dr. Ray Voller has practiced dentistry for an impressive 40+ years, and he has earned accolades including Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry and Fellowships in the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics and the Academy of Dentistry International. He has restored over 1,000 implants over the course of his career, so if you have any questions about the procedure, he’s the person to ask. To schedule a one-on-one consultation with him, click here or call (724) 543-4948.