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. In some circumstances that implant is ‘buried’ and you will not be able to see any abutment.  

Bleeding

Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24-72 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 30-120 minutes. The gauze can be changed every 30 minutes until the bleeding stops.  If bleeding continues profusely, please call for further instructions.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. Peak swelling is usually reached by the third day (72 hours). To minimize swelling apply an ice bag, or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice, on the cheek in the area of surgery. Ice should be applied for 20-30 minutes and then removed for 20-30 minutes to mitigate the risk of ice-burn. This cycle should continue for the first 24-48 hours after surgery.  

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food for the first 12 hours. Pureed foods, luke-warm soups, and liquids are ideal for the first week after surgery.  

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you receive your prescriptions from the pharmacy. Take your pain medication as instructed by your oral surgeon. Over the counter advil and tyelnol may be used either together or alternating.  Please be sure to read the maximum dosage limits on the respective bottle.  Generally speaking, peak pain occurs within the first 72 hours. After 72 hours, pain should improve each subsequent day.  

Antibiotics

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.

Oral Hygiene

Please brush your teeth normally but be very delicate around surgical sites.  A Q-tip dipped in salt water or hydrogen peroxide can be used instead of a toothbrush around implant or surgical sites.  Salt water rinses should commence the first day after surgery, typically after every meal.  If a prescription mouthwash was prescribed, you may begin using it the first day after surgery.  

Activity

Avoid strenuous physical activity for the first 72 hours after your surgery unless otherwise specified by your surgeon. If you exercise prematurely, throbbing or bleeding may occur. 

Wearing your Prosthesis

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures, should not be used immediately after surgery for at least 10 days unless otherwise mentioned by your surgeon