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 may be a metal cap visible through the gingival/gum tissue.

Bleeding

Bleeding is typically well controlled before leaving our office. It is not uncommon to have some bleeding or redness in the saliva for the next 12 to 24 hours. It can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the wound for 30 minutes at a time. If bleeding becomes excessive or continues, please call our office for further instructions.

Swelling

A little swelling may occur after surgery. You may be instructed to apply an ice pack to the outside of the face, on the cheek, in the area of the surgery, for 20 minutes on and off, for the first 24-36 hours.

Diet

Diet will need to be modified for the first 3 to 4 days after surgery. Take it easy with what you eat for about a week or so. Stick to foods that are soft, mushy and easy to swallow. We ask that you avoid foods that are hot, spicy and acidic. Avoiding food that make sense for you to avoid: no popcorn, hard seeds or nuts.

Learn more about our post-operative grocery list!

Discomfort

Believe it or not, you should experience very little pain or discomfort after implant placement. Most patients can manage very well with extra strength Tylenol or Motrin/Advil. We do recommend taking over the counter pain medication before you feel the local anesthetic wear off.

Our doctors may prescribe something stronger for pain should you need it. Take prescription medication as instructed by our doctors. Take any over the counter medication as recommended by the drug label. Please consult our practice for individuals under the age of 18.

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. Please Brush your teeth prior to your surgery. The night of surgery, we ask you do not brush your teeth. The day after surgery, warm water rinsing or 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

Please make sure to bring any temporary or permanent prothesis with you on the day of surgery. Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures, may or may not be able to be used immediately after surgery for at least initial healing time, This will be discussed at the pre-operative consultation.