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.

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

The American Dental Association’s (ADA) Science & Research institute has evidence based recommendations for pain management regarding dental pain. 

The first recommendation is to take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like Ibuprofen, Motrin, and Advil, which is first-line therapy for managing pain. Pain is often inflammation related, and NSAIDs target the source of the pain to alleviate it

The second recommendation is to take the first line of therapy NSAID in combination with acetaminophen (Tylenol).  The combination of NSAID and acetaminophen has been proven to be more effective in reducing postoperative pain than opioid medications.

If NSAIDS are not advised due to underlying medical conditions, the full therapeutic dose of acetaminophen is suggested.

Our typical recommendation for postoperative pain is:  400 mg Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) PLUS 325 mg Tylenol (1 tablet or capsule – regular strength) EVERY FOUR HOURS

***Do not exceed daily dosage recommendations listed on the bottle***

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. 

Do not take any of the above medications if you are allergic to them or have been instructed by your doctor not to take. 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.  Opioid prescriptions – if deemed necessary – will be prescribed at the lowest effective dose, with fewest tablets and for the shortest duration needed.

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, use the prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse before bed. The day 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 (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. Brush your teeth and 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

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures, should not be used immediately after surgery for at least 10 days, as discussed in the pre-operative consultation.