After Placement of Dental Implants

Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There may 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 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. Avoid chewing on the implant as pressure on the implant in the initial two to three months can cause the implant to fail.

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, 1 or 2 Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 3-4 hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen, bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 2-3 tablets may be taken every 3-4 hours as needed for pain. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. 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 as directed to help prevent infection.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The following hygiene procedures should begin the day after surgery until one week post op. The antimicrobial mouth rinse Peridex should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to gently rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. If the implant is protruding and visible in your mouth, you will be asked to use a Q tip and Peridex to swab the implant twice a day. 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. Brushing your teeth and the healing abutment (part of the implant that is protruding into your mouth) is no problem starting the day after surgery. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas. After one week you can discontinue all special hygiene procedures. Do continue with normal brushing of your teeth and the implant. Keeping the implant clean will help with it’s optimal healing. Avoid an electric toothbrush and use a manual toothbrush on the implant. It’s OK to use electric toothbrush on the other teeth.

Activity

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 can be used right after surgery as long as it has been adjusted and approved by the doctor. This was discussed in the pre-operative consultation.