Sleeping after implants

[Rosemary3]

Hullo all. I have an appointment booked for implants in 2 days time and am in total meltdown. I discovered this forum and am really hoping someone can help. I'm supposed to be getting two implants - one upper on one side and one lower on the other side. I've been worried about so many aspects of it all in recent weeks, but at the weekend a new worry appeared - I don't know why I never thought of it before, but I didn't. This is it: the teeth - both molars - were removed on separate occasions so each time I was able to sleep on my side on the opposite side from the extraction - after a night or two propped up on cushions. This time I won't have a "damage free" side to lie on. I find it incredibly hard, if not impossible, to sleep on my back. Can anyone who has had implants on either side tell me how long they had to sleep on their back for, and how they coped? The implant dentist hasn't mentioned it and I think he's run out of patience with me and my anxiety. I'm terrified I won't be able to sleep at all if I have to stay on my back for days and will end up with insomnia and delay the healing - I haven't slept the last couple of nights already, so I'm not feeling great. I really hope someone can reassure me about being able to lie on my side and thank you for reading this.

 

[Vaidile]

Hello Rosemary! I just had two implants put in a few weeks ago, one upper and one lower, though in my case, both were on the same side.

Honestly, it couldn't have been a smoother and easier process. The procedure itself was quick, painless and not scary at all. I had it done in the morning and went to work immediately after. I got a prescription for antibiotics and some stronger NSAIDs for pain. I took some painkillers the same day, but by the next I only needed them at night, when one of the sites would start throbbing a little. I could sleep on both sides immediately without any problems.

I know implants sound very scary and invasive; they did for me, too! But it's really not bad at all. The recovery was much easier compared to after extractions. You'll either get a healing cap put on immediately or have the gums stitched to cover the implant while it heals. In either case there'll be no open wound, so it's much easier to recover from and take care of.

If you have any more questions that might help alleviate your worry, feel free to ask! Otherwise, wishing the very best to you

 

[Rosemary3]

Hullo Vaidile

Thank you so much for sending me this message. It was really kind of you, and so soon after I posted mine too. I really hadn't hoped I'd get a reply before tomorrow, let alone such a positive one! I'm really glad to hear it was all so straightforward for you, and I'm so impressed you returned to work the same day. I've had a voice yammering in my head for days now telling me that it's not too late to cancel, so I will keep reading your reply to help shout it down. Less than 26 hours to go now. It's so nice to know that somebody "out there" is sending me good wishes!

 

[krlovesherkids777]

Rosemary3,

How are you doing now! I know as Vaidile said it may seem really scary and overwheming, I was certainly scared the first one as I had no idea what to expect . The dentist that did most of mine had lasers he used for Alot of it and it really helped the healing and I literally had almost no pain. He did give me pain meds as a back up but I didn't need them much.The actual process was I have to say pain free. I did have a dentist who made sure I was completely numbed up and it I felt even a tad he would top off the anesthetic. I felt very fortunate with that. As far as sleeping, There really wasn't a difference for me? What time will you go in? Keep us up to date how it goes! Wishing you an easy procedure and good sleep after !!

 

[krlovesherkids777]

Rosemary3,
Just checking in to see how things went today.. We are thinking of you and hoping you get plenty of rest and care for yourself!

 

[Rosemary3]

Hullo krlovesherkids777
Thank you so much for both your kind messages. I read your first one before I went in, and it was so reassuring, like Vaidile's, both about the procedure and about the sleeping. I have to say I was scared out of my wits even with all the numbing. You were both right about the sleeping - the dentist said I could sleep however I liked! I had about 15 mins of euphoria when I came out, then a whole lot of new worries hit me like a ton of bricks and have been with me ever since. Am I doing enough salt rinses and are they warm enough? Have I damaged anything in my efforts to clean the very back teeth next to the implants? (impossible, in my opinion). Would I know if it got infected? etc etc. But perhaps worst is that my "bite" doesn't feel right on my right side, as if my upper and lower teeth aren't meeting properly. I told the receptionist when they phoned this morning and was told it should settle but to get back to them if it doesn't. (What if it doesn't..?). So basically, I'm still pretty much a nervous wreck... I'll keep you both updated.

 

[Rosemary3]

Hullo again!
I thought it was time I gave you an update since it's 3 weeks today since my implants were put in. I have to say I found the first two weeks a bit of a struggle, with all the salt rinses and pureed food and the endless worrying about things going wrong. But the dentist took the stitches out after two weeks and said it's all going fine, so I'm beginning to relax a bit more, and I'm certainly enjoying having a more varied diet. I'm still sticking to soft foods though, partly because I want to be gentle on the sites but also because the rest of my teeth aren't in great condition. I'm to see him for another check in 9 weeks time and then it'll be hopefully back to my own dentist to start the work on the crowns - the next thing to worry about! My main problem at the moment is that my stomach is all upset. I don't know if it's the change of diet, or the antibiotic the dentist gave me beforehand, or just the stress of it all. Hopefully it'll settle before too long.