After Placement of Dental Implants

Home Instructions After Dental Implant Surgery

After dental implant surgery, do not disturb the implant site. Avoid drinking through a straw, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There may be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue, and stitches to keep your gums closed.

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 45 minutes. If bleeding continues profusely, 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 continuously, as much as possible, for the first 24 hours.

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.

Pain

Dental implants in general are associated with only mild soreness after surgery. Having teeth extracted or bone grafts placed at the same time as the implant may cause you to experience more pain afterwards. We will give you instructions following surgery on what medications will likely work best for you, and may also prescribe you pain medication. 

For severe pain, any prescribed medication should be taken as directed. If you are prescribed a narcotic pain medication, do not drive an automobile or work around 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. Warm salt water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used 3-4 times a day, especially after meals, for the first week after surgery. Brush your teeth as you normally would. If healing abutments were placed, you will need to brush those as well. Be gentle initially while brushing the surgical areas.

Wearing a Prosthesis

A dental prosthesis, like partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures may put pressure on the implant or bone graft, and can lead to lower success rates. We will give you specific instructions on how and when to wear a prosthesis afterwards if you have one.