Surgical Instructions

After Placement of Dental Implants

Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There will usually be a metal healing cap level with or just above 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 continues please call us for further instructions.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice pack or towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice off and on every 20 minutes continuously, as much as possible, for the first day until you go to bed.
 
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, with the exception of hard crunchy food, 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-moderate pain, 1 or 2 Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 3-4 hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol.  Ibuprofen bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 2-3 tablets may be taken every 4 hours as needed for pain. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic, 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.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. If prescribed, use the Peridex Oral Rinse beginning the night before surgery. After surgery, the Peridex should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. 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. Brushing your teeth is recommended, just be gentle in the area of the surgery.

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. Exercise may cause throbbing, swelling or bleeding.  We recommend no vigorous activity for 1 week after surgery.  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 at the direction of the doctor.