After Placement of Dental Implants
Home Instructions After Dental Implant Surgery
Do not disturb the surgical area. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the area on the day of surgery. There may be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gum tissue. If you feel that you are experiencing something abnormal or have any questions, please call our office immediately at Lakewood Office Phone Number 303.232.5637.
Bleeding
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. To control bleeding, place a gauze pad directly on the area and bite down for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, please call our office for further instructions.
Swelling
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag, 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 24-36 hours.
Diet
Drink plenty of fluids and eat only soft foods on the day of surgery (nothing hot). Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.
Pain
You should begin taking pain medication before you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For severe pain, take any prescribed medication as directed. Please do not take any of the above medication(s) if you are allergic to them or have been instructed by your doctor not to.
Antibiotics
Be sure to take any prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.
Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. Warm saltwater rinses (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) can be used 2-3 times a day, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth in the general area of the healing abutment is ok. Doing so may stimulate some additional bleeding but this is ok and should not alarm you. Be gentle when brushing the surgical areas.
Activity
Keep physical activities to a minimum for the first 24hrs following surgery. In general, you should avoid exercise for the first 48hrs as it can stimulate throbbing or bleeding. Additionally, if you are not keeping yourself well nourished this may weaken you and limit your ability to exercise.
Wearing your Prosthesis
Partial dentures, flippers, full dentures, or other temporary prosthetics should be worn and cared for as instructed by Dr. Noori and/or your general dentist.
Note: If active bleeding continues, please call our office immediately at Lakewood Office Phone Number 303.232.5637.
Swelling
Facial swelling is normal following surgery and will peak at approximately 2-3 days after surgery before beginning to gradually decrease. For the first 24 hours, apply an ice bag to your face on the side of the surgery for 20 minutes on, then 20 minutes off. After the first 24 hours, apply a warm compress (a warm damp towel or heating pad). Keep your head elevated and avoid bending over and strenuous exercise for the first 72 hours. You may experience discoloration/bruising of the skin for several days following surgery. This is normal and will gradually disappear.
Hygiene
You may resume your normal brushing the night of the surgery but be very gentle near the surgical area and make sure you use a soft toothbrush. You can begin gently rinsing your mouth with warm salt water (1/4 teaspoon of salt to 8 oz. of lukewarm water) beginning the day after surgery. You can rinse your mouth up to 3 times a day but should not do it more often than this.
If you are given a plastic syringe to use at home, you will begin to use it to irrigate the lower extraction sockets after each meal starting on the 4th day after the surgery. You should fill the syringe with warm water and then pull back your cheek and direct the tip of the syringe over the top of the socket(s) (do not place the tip directly inside of them). You should gently flush the socket, swish the water in your mouth, then slowly spit it out. Repeat gently until no food debris comes out.
Smoking
Avoid smoking for as long as possible after surgery. Smoking can dramatically slow down the healing process and significantly increase your chances of developing a dry socket.
Sutures
If sutures were placed, they will dissolve and fall out on their own within 5-10 days after surgery. If they fall out earlier than this, it is ok and not a cause for concern.
