After Dental Implant Placement

Of all the procedures performed in our office, dental implant placement is one of the easiest post-operatively for our patients unless we are doing extensive bone grafting. Following dental implant placement, do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. Sometimes there will be a metal healing abutment or small cover screw protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue. This should not be a problem for most people.

Swelling

Swelling following dental implant placement is usually minor. Apply an ice bag, or a plastic bag, or towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice intermittently (20 minutes on/20 minutes off) for the first 24 hours. You may apply heat the following day.

Nutrition

Nutrition plays a big part in the healing process for any oral surgery procedure. Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or hard foods. Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery. Please avoid chewing in the area of the implant(s). Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed. Dr. Albright will discuss any specific nutrition instructions with you.

Pain

In most circumstances, pain medication will be prescribed post-operatively. Please follow the instructions on the prescription. We advise you take your medication with food (to avoid nausea) and within two hours of your procedure to minimize discomfort. The prescribed pain medicine will make you groggy and will slow down your reflexes. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Please make sure small children cannot obtain your medication! Avoid alcoholic beverages. Most of our patients have minimal post-operative pain. Pain or discomfort following surgery should subside more and more every day. If pain persists past two or three days, please contact our office as all of your follow up visits are included in your surgery fee. We are relying on you to communicate with us. It is our goal for this to be a very pleasant experience for you.

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 prescribed Peridex- Oral Rinse before bed. The day after surgery, the Peridex should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. Warm salt water rinses (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day, as well, especially after meals. If you are unable to eat salt, please rinse with mouthwash and water. Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments are not a problem. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas.

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking in normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise. Use good common sense before you go back to your regular exercise routine.

Wearing your Prosthesis

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures can be used immediately after surgery to provide pressure over the surgical extraction sockets and help promote clotting. Sometimes due to a poor fit or old prosthesis, the patient needs to go without wearing anything while healing takes place for the next several days.