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 you feel you can keep the surgical site clean, unless otherwise directed.

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you get home.  Ibuprofen 600mgs (3 over the counter tablets) for the first 5-7 days every 6 hrs as needed for pain.  For severe pain, you may take the prescribed narcotic as directed.  Do not take any medications if you are allergic or drink alcohol with it or your doctor has instructed you not to take it.

Antibiotics

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.  But, ultimately the surgical site must be kept clean.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing.  The day after surgery, if Peridex is  prescribed, it should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. 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 gently swabbing the healing abutments is no problem. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas.

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you are considering exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur as your blood pressure increases. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Also, keep in mind that you are probably not taking normal nourishment as this may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.

Wearing your Prosthesis

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures can be used immediately after surgery as described in our post-operative instructions and in the pre-operative consultation.