Implant Surgery Care

After 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 up rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. Sometimes placing a moist tea bag on the surgical site for 30 minutes will also stop the oozing of blood. 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 a small bag of frozen peas on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously (15 minutes on and 15 minutes off), 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. Make sure you chew on the opposite side of your surgical site.

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication before you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken. Ibuprofen, bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 3 tablets may be taken every 46 hours as needed for pain. If you are unable to take a NSAID (Ibuprofen, Motrin or Advil) please take 2 tablets of extra strength Tylenol three times a day. 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. 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 (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day, as well, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments is no problem. Be gentle initially with 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 normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.

Wearing your Prosthesis

Partial dentures, flippers, should be gently used after surgery and for at least 10 days. This was discussed in the pre-operative consultation.