After Placement of Dental Implants

Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the surgical site on the day of your procedure. There may be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue; avoid chewing on the healing abutment for the first 3-4 months. Repetitive force on the implant during the healing phase can cause non-integration, resulting in implant failure.

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 pack on the cheek, in the area of surgery, continuously or 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 the prescribed pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off.  Take the prescribed pain medicine as directed.  800 mg of Ibuprofen may be taken between doses of your prescription pain medicine every 6 hours for severe pain. 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.  An antibacterial mouth rinse may be prescribed as well.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. 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.