After Placement of Dental Implants

Do not disturb the wound after the placement of dental implants. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There may very well 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 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 for further instructions.

Swelling

Swelling can be a normal occurrence after surgery. The level of swelling may often times be dependent on how involved the implant surgical procedure was. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag, plastic bag, or towel filled with ice to the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, as much as possible, for the first 36 hours as needed.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food. Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery. You may return to a normal diet as soon as the soreness and swelling of your gum tissue is tolerable.

Pain

You may begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off if needed. For moderate pain, 2 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 6 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

If your doctor has prescribed antibiotics for you, please be sure to take them as directed. This will help to prevent infection.

Oral Hygiene

Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments that are on the implants is typically not a concern. Do not brush the surgical areas for at least ten (10) days following the surgical procedure. You may use a Q-tip to gently clean around the area.

Do not used any alcohol-based mouthwash rinses (Listerine, etc). If your doctor has prescribed an antibacterial mouth rinse for you, please utilize and finish it as directed.

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 normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.

Wearing your Prosthesis

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures will be able to be used very shortly after surgery. Please discuss how and when to use these restorative appliances with your oral and maxillofacial surgeon and/or your general restorative dentist.

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