Surgical Instructions

After Dental Implant Surgery

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 48 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills up rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a moistened gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30-45 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 plastic bag, or towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, as much as possible, for the first 48 hours.

Pain

Unfortunately most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort.  You may have been given a prescription for pain medication, which you should fill immediately.  You may also take over the counter pain medications such has Advil® or Aleve®.  The following recommendations will help you to manage your pain.

  • EAT - put some food in your stomach BEFORE taking any pain medication
  • Take the first pill before the anesthetic has worn off
  • Take your pain medications with a full glass of water
  • If you do not achieve adequate relief at first, you may supplement each pain pill with an over the counter analgesic such as ibuprofen.  Some patients may even require two of the pain pills at one time.
    •  
  • Call our office during Normal Business Hours if you feel that you will need a refill on pain medication.

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.

Antibiotics

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. If a prescription oral rinse was ordered on the day of surgery, use it before bed. The day after surgery, the rinse should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out.  (Please note: not all patients will be given a prescription rinse.)

Warm salt water rinses (1 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. 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: Follow instructions given by the doctor.

Attention Please

If you have Caller ID Blocking on you telephone, please remove the block before calling our office (Press *87). During normal office hours, we will be able to respond much faster if your block has been removed. If you call after hours the Doctor will be unable to return your call if your call blocking has not been released.