Just got a dental implant?  What to expect?

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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 or you might see a suture if your implant is buried in the bone.  Please follow your doctors recommendations closely.

 

BLEEDING

 

Some bleeding or oozing from the site is normal for the first 24 hours. This can frequently be controlled by biting with pressure on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, do call for further instructions.

 

SWELLING

 

Swelling is a normal response of your body to surgery. To minimize swelling apply the ice pack provided to you in your take home bag for 20 mins on,20 mins off for the first 24 hours.  You may reuse the ice pack by washing it  and refreezing it again.  An alternative to the ice pack is a frozen bag of peas.

 

DIET

 

Drink plenty of cold and nutritious fluids.  Avoid alcohol, sugary drinks, hot liquids or hard foods. Only consume soft food and liquids on the day of surgery.  Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.

 

PAIN

 

Pain and soreness after the procedure starts when the local anesthetic starts to ear off. This is usually takes about 2 hours.  You should begin taking your pain medication before the local anesthetic wears off so that you give the medication sufficient time to work.  This will enable you to experience very little or no pain during your post operative course.  Your prescriptions for pain control are highly regulated and are dispensed based on your individual needs, medical history and the discretion of your doctor.  Kindly, follow all the instructions given to you by your doctor/pharmacist or member of ROMS regarding these medications.  Also, kindly keep these medications in a safe place and out of the reach of children.  This is for the safety of you and your family.

 

ORAL HYGIENE

 

A clean mouth will help you feel more comfortable and will aid in faster healing.  Rinse your mouth thoroughly after each meal, beginning the day after surgery.  Brush your teeth normally if possible.  Rinse with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) 4-6 times a day. Continue this  until healing is complete.  Please avoid using alcohol based mouth washes as these may be associated with a burning sensation in the delicate healing oral mucosa.

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ACTIVITY

 

Limit vigorous exercise immediately following surgery.  If you exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. Surgery might reduce your normal nutritional intake and hence your capacity to exercise.  You might get dizzy or light headed if you exercise too soon after surgery.  You may start working out a week after surgery.  Do ask your doctor if you have any questions about this.

Some bleeding or oozing is normal for the first  24 hours. This 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 24 hours. After applying, ice you should transition to a heating pad to promote blood flow and faster healing time.

 

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

 

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, one or two tablets of Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 6 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 four times daily. Consult our practice for individuals under 18. Do not take the two medications at the same time.

 

For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic to them, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery for at least 6 hrs after taking a narcotic pill. 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.

 

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. Please refrain from eating or drinking for 1 hour after using the Peridex rinse. Warm salt water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) can also be performed 3-4 times a day as well, especially after meals and before using the Peridex. 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

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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. 

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Follow up appointment: You will likely be scheduled for a follow up appointment at the office a week after surgery.  After that depending on your case you will be asked either to follow up with us  here at ROMS or  with your general dentist.

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