Because an immediate implant combines extraction and placement, patients often wonder what recovery really feels like. The honest answer is that most people are pleasantly surprised by how manageable it is.
The First Few Days
It is normal to have some swelling and tenderness around the site for the first two or three days, much like any tooth removal. Cold compresses and the pain relief we recommend keep this comfortable for the great majority of patients.
Soft foods are your friend in this early window. Sticking to things like soups, yogurt, and eggs, and chewing away from the implant, protects the site while it settles. Gentle rinsing rather than vigorous swishing keeps the area clean without disturbing it.
Weeks of Quiet Integration
The visible healing settles within a couple of weeks, but the important work happens beneath the surface as bone fuses to the implant. This osseointegration usually takes a few months and is what gives the implant its lasting strength.
During this time you carry on with normal life. We may ask you to be a little careful with hard or crunchy foods directly on the site, and to keep up gentle, thorough cleaning so the gums stay healthy around the healing implant.
From Temporary to Permanent
If you received a temporary crown on placement day, it lets you smile and speak normally while everything heals. It is not built for heavy chewing, so we ask you to treat it kindly.
Once the implant has fully integrated, you return to have the permanent crown fitted, custom‑made to match your other teeth. At that point the tooth is ready for everyday life, and at Cambie Dental we schedule a follow‑up to confirm everything looks and feels the way it should.
