After Placement of Dental Implants

Home Instructions After Dental Implant Surgery

Very similar to after tooth removal, after dental implant surgery, do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There might be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.

• Bleeding
• Swelling
• Diet
• Pain
• Antibiotics
• Oral Hygiene
• Activity
• Wearing your Prosthesis

Bleeding

Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24-48 hours after the surgery. 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 and discomfort have ice cream or frozen yogurt for the first 24-36 hours.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food. Soft food and liquids (including ice cream and frozen yogurt) should be eaten on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet unless otherwise directed.

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, one or two tablets of 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 four times daily, not to exceed 3200mg daily for an adult. Consult our practice if the pain remains the same after 48-72 hours.

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. 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. 24 hours after the surgery, use the prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse twice daily; after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 45 seconds then spit it out. Warm salt water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) could be used at least 4-5 times a day as well, especially after meals. Avoid brushing the surgical site but you can brush the rest of your teeth 24 hours after the surgery.

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.