After Placement of Dental Implants

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.

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 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

Your mouth will be sore for some time after your operation. You may have been prescribed pain relief by your surgeon. Panadiene Forte, is a commonly prescribed pain killer that contains Codeine which may cause drowsiness, nausea, and constipation. Do not drink alcohol, drive or operate machinery while you are taking these medications. Nurofen (ibuprofen) is a very effective pain-relieving medication which can be purchased without a prescription. Because it is an anti-inflammatory it can cause nausea and abdominal discomfort if taken on an empty stomach.

NOTE: Nurofen (ibuprofen) may not be appropriate for people with asthma, gastric or heart conditions. If you are unsure, please check with Dr. Zoud.

Antibiotics

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. It is important to keep your mouth as clean as possible to encourage good wound healing. It will be difficult for you to use a toothbrush for the first few days and the best way to keep the mouth clean is by using a mouthwash. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, and rinse gently for 1 minute at a time. A mouth wash containing chlorhexidine is a good alternative.

DO NOT start mouth rinses until 24 hours following your procedure. Mouth rinsing should be done after every meal for up to four weeks after your operation.

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, as discussed in the pre-operative consultation.