After Placement of Dental Implants

Home Instructions After Dental Implant Surgery

After dental implant surgery, 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 rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues profusely, please call for further instructions.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling apply an ice pack or a plastic bag filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, as much as possible, rotating it on your cheek for 30 minutes and off your cheek for 30 minutes for the first 24 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

Take 600mg of ibuprofen as soon as you can after your surgery and continue to take 600mg every 6 hours for three days unless you are allergic to ibuprofen or other NSAIDs.  NSAIDs like ibuprofen should be avoided during pregnancy. NSAIDs should also be avoided if your are a recipient of a transplanted organ and you use anti-rejection drugs.  If ibuprofen does not control your pain then use your prescription pain medication as directed on the bottle.  The prescription medication can cause drowsiness so avoid driving an automobile and any activity that requires you to be alert while you take it.  If you develop a rash or hives, stop all medication and contact our office. If your pain appears to be increasing on the third or fourth day after surgery, call the office for further instructions.

For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic to them, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Pain or discomfort following surgery should subside more and more every day. If pain persists, it may require attention and you should call the office.

Antibiotics

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. If prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse use before bed the night before surgery. The day after surgery, the Peridex should be used twice daily; after breakfast and before bed, only if prescribed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. Warm salt water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day as well, especially after meals. Brush your teeth and the healing abutments. Be gentle initially while brushing the surgical areas.

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking in 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 for at least 10 days, as discussed in the pre-operative consultation.