After Placement of Dental Implants

DENTAL IMPLANTS-AFTER, FRISCO, TX, ORAL SURGEON, Dr. Mark Davis

NOTE:  Please see our Dental Implants Page for Dental Implants Procedure Information.

Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There may be a titanium healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue. In some cases, the implant and its flat cover screw may not be visible at all inside the mouth.

Bleeding

Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for up to 24 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills up rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on thebleeding surgical site for 30 minutes. Repeat if necessary. If bleeding continues please call FRISCO ORAL & DENTAL IMPLANT SURGERY, Frisco Oral & Dental Implant Surgery Phone Number 972-335-8717 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 skin over the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice 30-45 minutes every hour, as much as possible, for the first 48 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. Attempt to chew on the un-operated side of your mouth, if applicable.

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication before, or as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing 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: 2-4 tablets may be taken every 4-6 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. Be sure to finish all of the prescribed dose, even if symptoms subside.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. Plain warm water or warm salt water rinses (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day, especially after meals. 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 yet taking normal 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 not for at least 10 days after surgery.