After Dental Implant surgery

Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. Many times, there will be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue along with many delicate stitches in the gum tissue.

Smoking & Alcohol Consumption

Bleeding

Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes undisturbed. If bleeding continues profusely, please call for further instructions.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after any surgery and will usually be at its worst 2 or 3 days after the procedure . 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 periodically, usually 20 minutes on then 20 minutes off for as many cycles as desired. Ibuprofen may also help with the swelling.

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. Do not use straws.

Pain

Let your doctors know all medication allergies!

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you can, even before the numbness wears off. For moderate pain, one or two tablets of Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 3 to 4 hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 2 to 3 tablets may be taken four times daily, not to exceed 3200mg daily for an adult. Consult our practice for individuals under 18. You can sometimes take both Tylenol and ibuprofen at the same time for an additive pain relief. 

For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you have been instructed by your doctor not to take it. Do not drive an automobile or work around heavy or dangerous machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Pain or discomfort following surgery should subside more and more every day. If pain persists, it may require attention and you should call the office.

Antibiotics

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

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The night of surgery, use the prescription oral rinse before bed. The day after surgery, the oral rinse should be used after each meal; if you eat 5 times a day, rinse 5 times a day. Warm salt water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) may be substituted in place of the prescribed oral rinse. Brush your teeth and the healing abutments. Be gentle initially while brushing the surgical areas.

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking in 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

Questions regarding post-dental implant surgery? Call us at  Cascadia Oral Surgery, Kirkland WA Phone Number 425-358-2726.