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 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 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 moderate pain, over the counter pain medication such as ibuprofen (advil, motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) should be sufficient. We will discuss pain management strategies with you prior to and after your surgical procedure. Pain management must be tailored to each individual. If you have any questions about your pain, please do not hesitate to 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 night of surgery, irrigate with warm salt water. Brush an floss your teeth and gums, staying away from the wound site. Warm salt water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day as well, especially after meals. Once the gums have healed, start brushing 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

Most of the time we will ask you to wear your prosthesis (partial denture, retainer or full dentures) immediately after surgery. Often wearing the prosthesis for a full 48 hrs and only removing to eat or brush teeth allows the swelling to occur around the retainer and makes it easier to keep in. After 48 hours, you can remove the prosthesis for an extended period of time. If your prosthesis is painful to wear, it is ok to go without. If you have any questions about your specific prosthesis, please do not hesitate to contact your surgical team.