After Placement of Dental Implants:

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.

What to Expect

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 us at (785) 539-7429 for further instructions.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery and usually peaks 3 days after surgery and resolves with in 7 days. To minimize swelling, keep your head elevated and apply an ice pack on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, as much as possible, for the first 48 hours.

Diet

After your surgery, you should begin eating as soon as tolerated. AVOID hot foods while you are numb from the anesthetic.

Begin with soft, easy to chew foods and remain on a soft food diet around the implant site for TWO to THREE MONTHS. Extreme care should be exercised in avoiding placing any biting pressure on the implant(s), no matter how light the biting force.

AVOID using a straw, sucking on hard candies, popsicles, etc. for one week after your procedure, as the suction action may dislodge the blood clot in the surgical site.

AVOID carbonated beverages for at least one week.

Pain

It is important to understand that you will have some discomfort after surgery, which you can minimize by following the postoperative instructions. The key to managing pain is to stay ahead of the discomfort.

For adolescent and adult patients we recommend taking 400-800mg Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or 500-1000mg Acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 6-8 hours. DO NOT exceed 3,000mg of Tylenol or 3,200mg of Ibuprofen in a 24 hour period. You may alternate both of these medications so that you are taking something for pain every 3 hours.

You may have been prescribed a narcotic-containing pain medication (Such as Norco) to manage severe pain, which is a combination of medication that contains a narcotic and Acetaminophen (Tylenol). You may alternate this medication with Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)

DO NOT

  • Exceed the prescribed dose

  • Take any additional Acetaminophen (Tylenol) while taking the combination pain medicine

  • Work, drive, etc. while taking the narcotic pain medication

To avoid nausea, it is recommended that you do not take this medication on an empty stomach. Additionally, be cautious that narcotics may cause severe constipation.

You may choose not to take the narcotic pain medication, in which case you may follow the above instructions for alternating Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and Acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Antibiotics

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

Oral Hygiene

Maintaining good oral hygiene after oral surgery, as your surgical site(s) are healing. Resume your normal brushing and flossing routine the night of surgery, but AVOID brushing directly over the implant site(s).

AVOID playing with the implant site(s) or sutures with your tongue.

On the day after surgery, you should begin salt-water rinses to keep the surgical site(s) clean and promote resolution of swelling.

  • Mix 1 teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of warm water

  • Do rinses 5 times a day for 7 days after surgery

  • Be sure to rinse gently to avoid dislodging the blood clots

If prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse, use as directed. Avoid alcohol-containing mouthwash for 7 days after surgery, as it will delay healing.

Activity

Limit physical activity during the first 24-48 hours after surgery. Overexertion may lead to post-operative bleeding and discomfort. When you lie down, keep your head elevated on a pillow. You may wish to place a towel on your pillowcase to avoid staining from any blood-tainted saliva.

Wearing your Prosthesis

If a removable prosthetic appliance was placed, it should not contact the implant or tissue in the area of the implant placement. Premature pressure on an implant prior to three months of healing may result in implant failure and/or healing complications.