After Placement of Dental Implants

  1. DO NOT SMOKE OR USE ANY TOBACCO PRODUCTS DURING THE FIRST WEEK.

 

  1. Do not use straws for drinking, spit, or drink any carbonated beverages for the first 24 hours.

 

  1. For pain management, over the counter medications should be taken before prescription pain relievers. You may take up to 600mg of Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) every 6 hours.  If you prefer Aleve instead of Ibuprofen, you may take 1-2 pills in the morning and 1 pill at night.  You may also take Tylenol 500-1000mg every 6 hours as well.  Narcotic medications may be taken as directed for “breakthrough” pain relief, but may slow reflexes.  Do not operate machinery, cars, etc., while taking these drugs.  Birth control pills may be ineffective when taking antibiotics.  Consult your physician.  If prescribed, antibiotics should be taken as directed until the prescription runs out. 

 

  1. Place an ice pack over the site of surgery 20 min on and 20 min off for the first 8 hours as tolerated. After 48 hours, use warm applications 20 min every hour until difficulty opening is gone.  Swelling usually peaks around 24-36 hours after surgery and may last several days.

 

  1. Avoid rinsing your mouth until the morning after surgery, and then gently rinse with warm salt water four times daily for 1-2 weeks, and if prescribed, Peridex, gently rinse twice daily starting the morning after the procedure. Keep tongue and fingers away from surgical site for at least 2 weeks. 
  2. If a healing abutment (cap) was placed at the time implant insertion, make sure not to chew directly on that site with anything more than mashed potato or egg consistency until the implant is cleared for restoration by your oral surgeon. Significant pressure applied to the implant can lead to implant failure.

 

  1. Normal oral hygiene, brushing, flossing, etc., may be resumed the morning after surgery. IF A HEALING CAP WAS PLACED, MAKE SURE TO BEGIN GENTLY BRUSHING THE HEALING CAP BEGINNING THE DAY AFTER SURGERY.

 

  1. It is important to eat as soon as possible. A soft diet is recommended for the first few days (i.e. eggs, fish, mashed potatoes, etc.).  Avoid very hot foods and very hot liquids for the first 24 hours.

 

  1. Some oozing after surgery is normal and may continue for several hours. If oozing seems excessive or persistent, remove any clot from around the teeth and bite on gauze for 45 minutes by folding the gauze, placing directly over the bleeding area, and biting down firmly.  It is pressure that helps control the bleeding.
  2. Please refrain from strength training type exercise (weightlifting, etc.) for at least 5 days. Light cardiovascular exercise may commence after day 3 if feeling comfortable.

 

  1. If there are any questions or problems, please call the office right away. The doctor will return your call as quickly as possible.  Please keep your phone line free for the return call.  Also, have your pharmacy number available.