After Placement of Dental Implants

Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There may 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 rapidly with blood) 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 36 hours.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot. hard, acidic and spicy 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. Take prescribed medicationsas indicated.  Ibuprofen 800mg every 6-8 hours not to exceed 3200mg daily for an adult. If the pain is greater than 6 out of 10, please take narcotics as prescribed.  Usually hydrocodone/Tylenol 5mg/325 is given.  Please take 1 tablet every 4-6 hours.  Consult our practice for individuals under 12 years of age. Try to alternate the pain medication. 

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. 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. If you experience nausea or constipation, please contact the doctor right away.

Antibiotics

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection. If you are prescribed Amoxicillin 500mg, please take 1 capsule every 8 hours for seven days or otherwise as your doctor prescribed.  If you are prescribed Clindamycin 300mg, please take one capsule every 6 hours for one week or other as your doctor prescribed.  Please take probiotics while take antibiotics to avoid yeast infection.  If you are taking oral contraceptives, please be aware the antibiotics may make the contraceptive inactive.  Therefore, please take extra precautions to avoid pregnancy for a few weeks. 

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing.  Warm salt water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day, especially after meals. 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

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures, should not be used immediately after surgery for at least 10 days unless advised by the doctor.  

After a few days you should feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately at 386-675-0088.After hours on her cell: 412-913-8877. Please do not hesitate to call or text her.