After Placement of Dental Implants

Do not disturb the wound.  Avoid vigorous rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery.  There may be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue following the surgery.

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 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 following surgery.  Avoid very hot liquids or food.  Soft foods that require little or no chewing should be eaten on the day of surgery, along with drinking lots of fluids. Return to a normal diet as soon as you can do so comfortably unless otherwise directed.

Pain

You will be instructed by Dr. Smith on what type of pain medications to take and how you should take them following your surgery.  If you have any questions about your pain medications or experience any side effects such as persisting nausea or an allergic reaction such as a rash or itching, contact our office as soon as possible. 

Antibiotics

If you are prescribed antibiotics, be sure to take them as directed by Dr. Smith.  If you experience any side effects such as an allergic reaction (hives, rash, itching) stop taking the antibiotic and contact our office as soon as possible.  

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing.  Begin gentle warm salt water rinses (1/4 tsp of salt in a cup of warm water) the afternoon or evening on the day of surgery once the bleeding has slowed and you have been able to removed the gauze packs.  The night of surgery, resume normal oral hygiene including brushing gently and flossing, taking care to be very gentle when approaching the areas of surgery. 

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following your surgery.  You may resume normal activity and even light exercising in the days following your surgery if you feel strong enough, are drinking plenty of fluids and if you are no longer requiring any narcotic pain medication to control post-operative pain.  Be aware that when you begin exercise that throbbing or bleeding of the surgical sites may occur and if you experience this you should defer resuming exercise for another 24-48 hours.  

Wearing your Prosthesis

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures may be worn following surgery unless specifically advised not to by Dr. Smith.  If swelling or pain is preventing you from being able to wear your prosthesis comfortably, you should stop wearing it and contact our office as soon as possible for guidance.