In the past 2 yrs I have lost 3 teeth playing semi-pro hockey. Although it’s not uncommon in the hockey world to have missing teeth my smile means a lot to me. I know it’s not important to a lot of the guys but I really have to replace my teeth. I am wondering what this means for my game and how soon after dental implant surgery could I get back to playing hockey. Thanks T
T. – For two or three days after implant surgery, you need to rest to assist the clotting process and avoid anything that may cause unusual swelling. After that during the entire healing process, it is advised that you refrain from any activity that could dislodge the implant. The dental implant healing period varies from two to six months.
Given the time it takes for implants to heal and the risks of damaging an implant during a game, many professional athletes delay dental implants until retirement. Instead, they opt for alternative tooth replacement, such as a natural-looking dental bridge.
Because you are an athlete, we strongly recommend that you discuss your concerns with an experienced implant dentist. He or she will let you know your options and what you can expect from each of them.
This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Collins.