If you had dental implants placed, our general postoperative instructions apply, but we would like to emphasize a few things:
Placement of endosteal dental implants usually do not create a great deal of pain. In most cases over the counter pain relievers can be utilized.
You should brush the area very gently after the first 48 hours with a soft toothbrush. Do not avoid brushing the area all together. Most times the sutures that are placed are dissolvable sutures, which will dissolve on their own in 8-12 days.
If a one-stage implant was placed so that you can see the metal part protruding from the gum tissue, it is very important for you to keep this area clean. You may start brushing the metal cap with a soft toothbrush the following day. Just clean the metal part protruding from the tissue. Avoid chewing hard foods on the implant sites. Chewing forces during the healing phase can decrease the body’s ability to heal around the implant. The most crucial time for your implant integration is between the 4-6th week after surgery.
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 applying pressure over a moistened gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 15-30 minutes. If bleeding continues please call for further instructions.
Swelling
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag, or a frozen bag of peas, 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 hot food the day of surgery. Soft food and liquids should be eaten after surgery. Return to a normal diet 7-10 days after surgery unless otherwise directed.
Pain
You should begin taking pain medication before the local anesthetic wears off. For the baseline, pain take 2 Tylenol 650mg Extended Release every 8 hours and add one 600 mg of prescribed Ibuprofen every 6 hours with food and water. For severe pain, the prescribed controlled medication should be taken as directed as needed for SEVERE pain ONLY. Do not take any of the above medications if you are allergic or have been instructed by your doctor not to take them.
Antibiotics
If prescribed be sure to take the 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 applying with a Q-tip or soft brush. The day after surgery, the Peridex should be applied twice daily, after breakfast and before bed if prescribed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. Warm salt water rinses and/or soaks (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day, as well, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments is no problem. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas.
Activity
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery for at least 7-10 days after. 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 should not be used immediately after surgery and for at least 10 days. This was discussed in the pre-operative consultation.
