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 or in some cases the dental implant will be buried and sutured closed.

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Gauze/Bleeding

A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery. A gauze is placed in your mouth after surgery. Change this every 20 minutes for the first hour, then discontinue. A small amount of blood in the saliva is normal and may be visible for 1 to 2 days after surgery. Please call our office if unusual bleeding persists.

brushing/oral care

Brush your teeth as you normally would. Do not brush the implant site(s) until the tissues are healed (1-2 weeks). Then it is OK to brush. Do not use electric toothbrush because the vibration can loosen the healing abutment.

sutures

If any are placed during your surgery, they will dissolve in 3-5 days, If they come out or dissolve early, that is fine. If they are non-dissolvable sutures, we will have you return in 3 weeks unless you are instructed differently.

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, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first 24 hours. Swelling typically peaks around 48 hours after surgery and begins to subside thereafter.

no smoking during the entire healing process

For optimal healing, DO NOT SMOKE. Cigarettes and vaping both contain irritants which can affect the healing process. 

discomfort

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. If tolerated, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as (Advil, Motrin or Aleve) can be used to decrease swelling and inflammation as well as reduce discomfort. 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. Watch for stomach upset with these medications. Discomfort may last for several days and you should notice it improving after about day 4. Please call the office if it persists or does not improve. 

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, it may require attention and you should call the office.

Diet

Proper dietary intake is important for good healing. You may eat anything soft by chewing away from the surgical sites. A high calorie, high protein intake is very important. Hard foods or foods with husks, such as nuts and popcorn, should be avoided for a week as they can become lodged in the surgical site(s). Our staff can provide suggested diet instructions. Drink plenty of fluids. Drink from a glass and do not use straws. The sucking motion can cause more bleeding by dislodging the blood clot. Nourishment should be taken regularly. Your food intake will be limited for the first few days. You should compensate for this by increasing your fluid intake. At least 5-6 glasses of liquid should be taken daily. Try not to miss any meals. You will feel better, have more strength, less discomfort and heal faster if you continue to eat. You can start to progress your diet as tolerated without chewing on the implant site(s).

nausea

If anesthesia was received, and you experience nausea, try small amounts of carbonated drinks (Coke, Pepsi,7-up) and bland food such as crackers. Bonine or Dramamine may help. If nausea continues, please call our office.

Antibiotics

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection. Discontinue antibiotic use in the event of a rash or any other unfavorable reaction and call our office immediately.