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 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 pack to the outside of your face in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, as much as possible, for the first 36 hours.

Please call immediately if swelling of the neck occurs.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids. 

Soft, cool foods (ice cream, yogurt, pudding) and liquids can be eaten on the day of surgery.

Avoid hot liquids or food for the first 24 hours.

Avoid small seeds, chips, and nuts for 3-4 weeks.

You may return to a normal diet as soon as possible, unless otherwise directed.

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you get home/before 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. Alternatively, 2-3 tablets of over the counter Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) 200 mg may be taken four times daily instead of Tylenol, not to exceed 3200mg daily for an adult. 

Do NOT take Tylenol and Ibuprofen together, but you may alternate between the two every 3-4 hours if needed. Consult our practice for individuals under 18. 

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, please call our office as it may require attention.

Antibiotics

If prescribed, be sure to take your antibiotics as directed on the bottle to help prevent infection.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. Continue to gently brush your teeth around the surgical site. Starting 2 days after surgery, we recommend starting a mouth rinse.

Gently swish a warm salt water rinse (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) 

for 1 minute and spit out. Repeat at least 4-5 times a day, especially after meals.

Continue rinsing with salt water 4-5 times a day for two weeks, or if prescribed Peridex, start using 2 days after surgery, twice daily; after breakfast

and before bed. Gently rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit out. 

Salt water rinses can be used in between doses, after meals to flush food residue.

Continue rinsing with Peridex twice a day for two weeks.

SUTURES

Any sutures at the surgical site will typically dissolve within 2 weeks. If they do not, we will remove them at your follow-up appointment or you may gently pull out with sterilized tweezers.

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. Vigorous exercising and activities should be avoided for about a week.

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.

***If you need to reach our office regarding any issues, questions, or concerns, please call us at (716) 276-0909***