After Placement of Dental Implants

Post-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 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 folded gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 45 minutes-1 hour. This may need to be changed out once or twice after each hour. We recommend also trying a damp tea bag instead of gauze. If heavy bleeding persists and does not show improvement, please call our office or the emergency contact number on your post operative instructions. 

Swelling:

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag, or towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice on and off in 15–20-minute intervals, 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. Advance your diet as you for comfortable, avoiding hard and crunchy foods like chips, popcorn, and nuts for about 2-3 weeks.

Pain:

You should begin taking pain medication before the local anesthetic wears off. For moderate pain, 1 or 2 Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 4-6 hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen 800mg may be taken every 6-8 hours as needed for pain.

For severe pain, take prescription pain medication as directed. The prescribed pain medicine could make you groggy and will slow down your reflexes. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages and other illegal drugs. 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.

Do not take any of the medication mentioned above if you are allergic or if your doctor has advised otherwise.

Antibiotics:

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection. Antibiotics must be completed.

Oral Hygiene:

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The day after surgery, use the prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse before bed. Continue to use there Peridex rinse in the morning and afternoon for the first week. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. *WARNING* Prolonged use of Peridex mouthwash can cause discoloration of teeth. We do not recommend using this rinse longer than one week. 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 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. 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 worn on a case-by-case basis. Please consult with Dr. Maharaj or Dr. Pham before wearing these appliances.

Excuses for school and work are written on a case-by-case request. Each patient heals at a different rate after surgery. Discuss any concerns with the doctor at the time of surgery and we will gladly issue a school or work excuse based on your individual case.