After Placement of Dental Implants

Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There will be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.

Bleeding

Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills up rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues please call for further instructions.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag, or a plastic bag, or towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, as much as possible, for the first 36 hours.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food. Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.

Pain

As much as we hope that you are pain-free, it is expected that you may have some discomfort. Our management goal is to make this discomfort tolerable enough during the initial healing until this begins to subside.  You should begin taking pain medication before you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin, 400-600mg) may be taken every 6 hours for the first few days and then tapered if they are not necessary. For discomfort not controlled with the Advil or Motrin alone, 1 or 2 Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 3-4 hours along with the normal dosing of the Advil or Motrin. If the discomfort is not well controlled with these two medications, the  prescribed back up pain medication can be taken instead of the plain Tylenol alone. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.

Antibiotics

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics until gone as directed to help minimize the chance of infection. Should you have adverse effects, such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, then stop taking the meds and contact our office as soon as possible.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The day after surgery, use the prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse. The day after surgery, the Peridex should be used 2-3 times daily. Be sure to rinse gently by rolling it around your mouth for at least 30 seconds then lean over the sink and let it fall from your mouth. Warm salt water rinses (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day, as well, especially after meals. Gently brushing the adjacent surgical sites is acceptable on the following day if the bleeding is controlled. Brush your teeth and the healing abutments in the direction from the gums up toward the teeth. Try to initially avoid the surgical areas.

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery for about 3-5 days. Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you are considering exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.

Wearing your Prosthesis

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be used immediately after surgery and for at least 10 days. This was discussed in the pre-operative consultation.