After Dental Implant Surgery

DENTAL IMPLANT HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS

  1. BLEEDING:

  • Bleeding may be present until the next day

  • Use the gauze pads with pressure over the areas to control any bleeding. Change them every 30-45 minutes until they become a light pink color.

  • You can also moisten a black tea bag, place it directly over the bleeding site, and bite firmly for 30 minutes. This may be repeated 2-3 times. If bleeding persists.

  • Do not sleep with gauze in your mouth.

  1. SWELLING:

  • Swelling after a procedure is normal and will peak in 2 to 3 days

  • Bruising can occur after a procedure and will subside within a week

  • Cold packs can be used over the jaws/cheeks for the first 48 hours to help reduce swelling. Keep cold packs on for 20 minutes, then leave off for 10 minutes and repeat.

  • After using ice for the first 48 hours, use warm, moist compresses over the area(s) for 10 – 15 minutes per hour.

  1. BRUSHING AND RINSING

  • Do not brush your teeth in the area for the first 24 hours. After 24 hours you may brush your teeth, staying one tooth away on either side of the site(s).

  • Swish with warm salt water (8 oz water and 1 tsp salt) and the chlorhexidine rinse if prescribed, starting the next day for 1 week

  • Do not use a waterpik

  • The prescribed chlorhexidine rinse can now be used by saturating a cotton ball and place this directly over the implant site for 20-30 seconds twice a day.

   4.EXERCISE

  • Do not exercise or play sports for 3-7 days following surgery (exactly when you resume activities will depend on your specific situation).

  1. MEDICATIONS

  • Take your antibiotics and pain medication as directed.

  • Do not drive or operate machinery if you are taking narcotic pain medication

  • Pain medications should not be taken on an empty stomach.

  • If nausea occurs, drink small amounts of clear, carbonated beverage (i.e. ginger ale or 7-up) frequently. If it persists, call the office.

  • Should you develop itching or rash, discontinue all medications and contact this office.

  • Women, if you use an oral contraceptive and are prescribed an antibiotic, you should be aware that there may be an increased risk of pregnancy while you are taking the antibiotic. Please use an additional form of birth control for 2 weeks after completion of your antibiotic course

  1. DIET

  • While you are numb, you can have liquids and soft food that you do not need to chew to avoid biting your lip or tongue

  • After the numbing wears off, you can have soft foods, that are mild in temperature and spiciness.

  • Avoid sharp or crunchy foods, or things with small seeds that can get stuck in the sockets for 2 weeks

  • Do not use any drinking straws, do any type of suction motion or do any spitting for one complete week.

  1. INVISALIGN AND PARTIALS

  • Tissue damage can occur when wearing a removable appliance (“flipper”, Invisalign type prosthesis, denture or partial denture) post-operatively. As your gums swell after the procedure, they can push into the appliance while it is worn. This could damage the tissue and lead to failure of the implant, graft or cause an esthetic deformity. Unless otherwise instructed by Dr. Zeidan, your appliance should be minimally worn or not worn at all during the first 2 weeks even though it will be adjusted to minimize this problem.

  1. DO NOT SMOKE OR VAPE

  • Two weeks after

Please call our office if you experience any of the following:

Excessive bleeding,

Persistent and severe pain

Fever

If you have any questions after surgery, doctor coverage is available 24/7. Please don’t hesitate to call us at 858-452-8606.