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 sutures over the surgical site that will be removed in one week. You will be prescribed an antibiotic rinse (Peridex) that will be used to help keep the surgical site clean.

Bleeding

Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Bleeding can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the surgical site for 20-30 minutes. If bleeding persists, please call for further instructions.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling apply an ice pack, or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice, on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, or as much as possible, for the first 24-48 hours. After 48 hours, the swelling is usually at a maximum. At this point you can begin applying moist heat compresses to the area. You can do this for the next 2-3 days depending on the amount of swelling that occurred. This will help to reduce the swelling and stiffness. 

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids. Eat any nourishing food that can be taken comfortably. Avoid extremely hot foods and liquids. It is sometimes advisable, but not required, to confine the first days intake to bland foods and a softer diet (soups, yogurt, smoothies, milk shakes, etc.). Avoid foods like nuts, sunflower seeds, granola, popcorn, etc.  Over the next several days you can advance your diet to more solid foods at your own pace. It is important to not skip meals. If you take nourishment regularly, you will feel better, gain strength, have less discomfort and overall heal faster. If you are a diabetic, maintain your normal eating habits as much as possible and follow instructions from your physician regarding your insulin schedule. 

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For mild to moderate pain, the medication of choice is an anti-inflammatory like Advil or Motrin (generic name is Ibuprofen). Take 2-3 tablets up to four times a day, not to exceed 3200mg daily for an adult. Consult our practice for individuals under 18. If you are not able to take an anti-inflammatory medication you can substitute Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol.

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 a post operative infection.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The day of surgery, start using the prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse . The week after surgery and until the sutures are removed, the Peridex should be used as instructed. Warm salt water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) can also be used after the surgery as well, especially after meals.  Be gentle initially while brushing near the surgical area.

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you exercise to soon after your surgery, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking in normal nourishment and this may effect wound healing. Don’t overdo it and use common sense so you give yourself the best chance of healing well.

Wearing your Prosthesis

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures, should not be used immediately after surgery for at least 1 day and in some instances for a week. This will be reviewed with you the day of your surgery because each case is different.