Post-Op Instructions after dental implant placement

After dental implant surgery, do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There will be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.

How to Manage 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 30 minutes. If bleeding continues profusely, please call for further instructions.

How To Minimize 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 36 hours.

What Can I Eat After Dental Implant Placement?

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.

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Pain Management Tips

Unfortunately, most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort.  If you take your first pill before the anesthetic has worn off, you should be able to manage any discomfort better.  Some patients find that stronger pain medicine causes nausea, but if you precede each pain pill with a small amount of food, the chances for nausea will be reduced.  The effects of pain medications vary widely among individuals.  You must allow time for your medicine to work.  You must also take the medication on a regular schedule. Remember that the most severe pain is usually within six hours after the local anesthetic wears off; after that, your need for medicine should lessen.  If you have been given a prescription for Motrin(ibuprofen) you may take it with Tylenol(acetaminophen).  Both drugs are taken every six hours and can be taken as follows:  if you take Motrin at 12PM, you can take Tylenol at 3 PM, Motrin at 6 PM, and Tylenol at 9 PM.

If you find that you are taking large amounts of pain medicine at frequent intervals, please call our office. 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.

What Antibiotics Should I Take?

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

How To Manage Oral Hygiene After Getting Dental Implants

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. Please use warm, salt water (1/4 tsp per 8 oz water) 3 times per day, rinsing for 30 seconds each time, for two weeks. By the third post-operative day dip a cotton swab into the solution before rinsing and gently dab the implant area, especially after meals. You may brush your teeth, being very gentle around the surgical site. At your follow-up appointment, Dr. Sindoni will instruct you when it is permissible to begin brushing the healing collar.

What Physical Activity Can I Do?

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking in normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.