Surgical Instructions

Care After Placement Of Dental Implants

Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. Be aware that there might 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. If bleeding continues, please call our office for further instructions 704.291.7333 or 1.866.321.7333.

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, 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off as often 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

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, one to two Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every three to four hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen, bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets. Two to three tablets may be taken every three to four hours as needed for pain. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medications if you are allergic, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take them.

If taking prescription pain medication, do not operate a motor vehicle.

Antibiotics

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection. It is important that you finish the entire antibiotic prescription.

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. In addition, warm salt-water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least four to five times a day especially after meals. Brushing your teeth with the healing abutments is not a problem; however be gentle initially when 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, or full dentures may be used immediately after dental implant surgery unless otherwise directed.