After Placement of Dental Implants

Home Instructions After Dental Implant Surgery

The best treatment for your surgical site following implant placement is to avoid putting any pressure on the surgical site. Avoid the area while eating. It is unusual to have excessive bleeding. Slight oozing can be minimized by using ice packs and keeping your head elevated for the first 24-48 hours. You may have a small metal healing cap over the implant. It needs to be brushed gently to keep it clean. Contact the office if the cap becomes loose.
Do not spit, smoke, drink alcohol or use a straw for one week.

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 1 hour. If bleeding continues profusely, please call for further instructions.

Swelling

Use the ice pack, 30 minutes on 30 minutes off, over the surgical area(externally) and keep your head elevated for the first 24 hours to help limit swelling, bleeding and discomfort. After 24 hours apply moist, warm heat to the area and continue to sleep with your head elevated until the swelling resolves.

The ice pack should only be used for the first 24 hours.

Diet

Start with a soft diet the first day. Cold soft foods such as ice cream, yogurt and pudding may be the most soothing. 

During the initial healing phase after dental implant surgery, it’s crucial to avoid chewing directly on the implant site

Discomfort

Some discomfort is normal after oral surgery. It can be controlled but not eliminated by taking pain medications as prescribed.

Antibiotics

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

Oral Hygiene

Do not rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours after surgery. Use the Chlorhexidine rinse the day after surgery, after breakfast and after dinner for only 2 weeks. Gently swish and let the rinse fall out of your mouth(avoid spitting). Brush your teeth gently and regularly. You may use 1/4 teaspoon of salt in a glass of water in place of the Chlorhexidine rinse. Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing.

Do not rinse with listerine, scope or any mouth rinses for one week.

Wearing your Prosthesis

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures, may need to be adjusted by your dentist to allow for the healing abutment.