After Placement of Dental Implants

Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. Usually, there will be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue. Do NOT chew directly on the implants. The bone cells will need to grow up onto the surface of the implant. In the first few months any pressure placed on the implant can irreversibly damage the adjacent bone cells and their ability to adhere to the implant resulting in failure. This would require further surgery with bone grafting (likely) and / or removal of the implant.

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, a moist tea bag can be used. Moisten the teabag with a small amount of water and bite down firmly on it for 30 minutes – do not chew or talk, just bite down firmly. Also, if bleeding occurs, elevate the head, avoid hot liquids, and do not exercise. If bleeding persists, contact our office immediately. Please call 619-334-8880 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 over the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, as much as possible, for the first 36 hours.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food. Only 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

You should begin taking pain medication before the local anesthetic begins to wear off. For moderate pain, 1 or 2 Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 3-4 hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen, bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 2-3 tablets may be taken every 3-4 hours as needed for pain. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.

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 (do NOT swallow it). Warm salt water rinses (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day, as well, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments is no problem. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas.

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you are considering exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking usual 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 surgery and for at least 10 days. This was discussed in the pre-operative consultation. After 10 days if you notice that the prosthesis is pushing on the implant(s) or touching it/them at all, remove the prosthesis immediately and return with the appliance to our office immediately. Do not wear the prosthesis for any reason until Dr. Gadler has had an opportunity to evaluate and adjust it.