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 – 72 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 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 48 hours.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids, hot food or spicy foods. Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery and for a week after on average. Return to a normal diet after a week unless otherwise directed.

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you can before the local anesthetic wears off.  Light liquid foods such as apple sauce can be used to coat the stomach. For moderate pain, one or two tablets of Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 4-6 hours. If possible Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) if preferred and may be taken instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 2-3 tablets may be taken four times daily, not to exceed 3200mg daily for an adult. Consult our practice for individuals under 18. 

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. The usual oral rinse that will be recommended is a warm salt water rinse that is started the day after surgery and should be used after meals about 3 times a day. This solution is obtained by mixing 1/3 – 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1 – 1  1/2 cups of water.  A special oral rinse called  Peridex may be prescribed and should be used twice daily after salt water rinsing. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out gently.  Brush your teeth the day following surgery making sure to stay away from the surgical sites.  Be gentle initially while brushing the surgical areas. A soft bristle brush if recommended. You can start brushing the healing abutment after one week. 

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.  Limited daily activity is usually recommended for one week.

Wearing your Prosthesis

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures, should not be used immediately after surgery for at least 10 days or as discussed in the pre-operative consultation.