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 may be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.

Bleeding

Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24-48 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 45 minutes. If bleeding continues, please call for further instructions.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag, or a frozen bag of peas, or towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice in 20 minute increments, as often as possible, for the first 48 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 directed by your doctor.

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, one to two acetaminophen tablets may be taken every four hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken instead of acetominophen and tends to work better for most oral surgeries. Ibuprofen, bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets. Two to three tablets may be taken every four to eight 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. Warm salt-water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least four to five times a day as well, especially after meals. In some cases a special rinse may be prescribed by your doctor. Brushing your teeth with the healing abutments is not a problem. Be gentle initially when brushing the surgical areas.

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you are considering exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking your normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.

Wearing Your Prosthesis

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be used immediately after surgery and for at least ten days unless advised by your doctor. This should be discussed during your preoperative consultation.