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 usually be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.

Bleeding

Some mild bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills with blood) can normally be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues or your mouth is filling up with blood, please call for further instructions.

Swelling

Some swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, you can apply an ice pack or a plastic bag filled with ice with a thin towel around it, on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, as much as possible, for the first 24- 36 hours.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food. Soft food you do not have to chew 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, one tablet of Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 4 hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken instead or with Tylenol. Ibuprofen bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 2 tablets (400mg) may be taken every 4 hours, not to exceed 3000mg daily for an adult. Consult our practice for individuals under 18. Do not take Tylenol or acetaminophen if you were given a prescription pain medication, as the pain prescriptions will usually have Tylenol in it.   Do not take Tylenol or Ibuprofen if you are allergic to them.  Do not take ibuprofen if you are on blood thinners unless you consult your medical doctor.

For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Again, 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 Peridex mouth rinse, if prescribed, 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 (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 3-5 times a day as well, especially after meals. Brush your teeth and the healing abutments. Be gentle initially while brushing the surgical areas.

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.

Wearing your Prosthesis

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