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 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 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 apply an ice bag, or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice, on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, 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 pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For mild to moderate pain, you may find that ibuprofen or Tylenol are effective. Often motrin (prescription strength ibuprofen) is prescribed by our office. Our office also may prescribe a narcotic pain medication that can be used for moderate to severe pain. These narcotic medications often contain acetaminophen (active ingredient in Tylenol) and should not be taken along with other Tylenol or acetaminophen containing products. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen can typically be taken along with each other, and some patients find that “alternating” between the two is very effective. 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.

Antibiotics

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection. Not all procedures warrant antibiotics.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. Warm salt water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) performed 2-3 times a day are also helpful to keep things clean. Please refrain from any rinsing for the first 24 hours, and any rinsing after that should be very gentle. 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 be worn as directed. It is often necessary to leave any prosthesis out of your mouth for several days or weeks following surgery.