after dental implant surgery

surgical instructions

Only liquids and soft foods are advised during the first six days in order to avoid food particles from lodging in the wound. 

Smoking should be avoided after having implant surgery to help insure the success of the implant. 

Ice packs should be applied every 20 minutes for 10-15 minutes extraorally for the first 24 hours.  An elevated headrest should be used during the first two nights of rest post-operatively to reduce swelling in the area.

Should oozing or bleeding occur after surgery, it may be stopped by gently biting on moist gauze for fifteen to thirty minutes.  If persistent bleeding occurs and it lasts longer than two hours our office should be contacted. 

The mouth should be thoroughly rinsed with warm salt-water rinses (one teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water) after every meal for one-week following surgery, along with the antibacterial oral rinse, which should be used two times per day for a week after surgery. 

Dentures, partials or flippers should not be worn until refitting or relining by the dentist has been performed.  Wearing of these can jeopardize a successful healing process.

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 possible unless otherwise directed.

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, 1 or 2 Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 3-4 hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen, bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 2-3 tablets may be taken every 3-4 hours as needed for pain. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.

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 night of surgery, use the prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse before bed. The day after surgery, the Peridex 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 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 should not be used immediately after surgery and for at least 10 days. This was discussed in the pre-operative consultation.