Following the Placement of Dental Implants
Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There may 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 appears excessive, or continues after the third post-operative day, please call for further instructions.
Swelling
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag, or a plastic bag filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, as much as possible, for the first 24-48 hours
Diet
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food for the first 24-48 hours. Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet is generally achieved after three weeks of healing, or as directed by your Doctor.
Pain
You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, Two 200 mg tablets of Ibuprofen, (Motrin or Advil) may be taken every 4 hours with something to eat, as needed. For patients who are allergic to Aspirin, or cannot take Ibuprofen, one or two tablets of regular or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every four hours instead.
For severe pain take the tablets prescribed for pain as directed. The prescribed pain medicine may make you groggy and will slow down your reflexes. Do not drive an automobile or work around heavy machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Pain or discomfort following surgery should subside more and more every day. If pain persists or worsens after the third post-operative day, it may require attention and you should call our 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 day after surgery, the oral rinse given to you by your surgeon should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. A q-tip may be used to clean the healing abutments. Dip the q-tip in a cap of the mouthrinse and gently clean the healing abutment twice a day prior to rinsing. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit. 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. Gently brushing your teeth at least one tooth away from the implant sites is no problem. A soft bristled brush is best. The area of the implants or healing abutments should only be brushed when instructed by your doctor.
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 be used only as discussed by your doctor in the pre-operative consultation.