Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There will be a flat metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue with disolving sutures.
Bleeding
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding can be controlled by biting with firm pressure on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues please call for further instructions.
Swelling
Swelling is an occasional occurrence after some implant surgeries. To minimize swelling, apply an ice pack, or “Zip Lock” bag filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice 10 minutes each hour, as much as possible, for the first 36 hours if instructed to do so.
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. Popcorn and nuts may get stuck around healing implant parts.
Pain
Pain after implant placement is usually minor. If you are experiencing pain, limit your physical activity and consider the following advise.
Mild to moderate pain, two to three 200mg Ibuprofen, (Motrin or Advil) tablets may be taken every 4-6 hours if you are not allergic and stomach can tolerate these medications. It is always best to take ibuprofen with food even if not sensitive. Alternatively, Tylenol 650 – 1000mg every four hours may provide some relief.
Moderate to severe pain is best treated adding a prescribed narcotic pain medication to your routine ibuprofen dosing. This pain medicine may make you groggy and will slow down your reflexes. Do not drive an automobile, work around machinery, care for children or consume alcoholic beverages while taking narcotic pain medications. The prescription narcotic medication often has a Tylenol base so there is no need to mix with Tylenol. Patients with liver, kidney or stomach illness or allergy should consult with their physician prior to the use of any pain medications.
Antibiotics
All patients are pre-medicated for implant placement surgery. These antibiotics are available at your pharmacy prior to surgery. Certain circumstances may require you to stay on antibiotics after surgery. If instructed, please follow the prescription directions until finished.
Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The night of surgery, use the prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse (chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12%) as directed. Peridex should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bedtime. The best method uses a double Q-tip moistened in the peridex to rub the implant cap and gumline of the tooth on either side of the implant.
Electric/Vibrating tooth brushes should not be use around healing implants. Once healed and restored these power toothbrushes present no harm to the implant and are often preferred. “ Water Piks” and other pressure jet cleaning tools should never be used around the collars of implants unless you are specifically instructed.
Keep Exercise 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 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 for at least 10 days. This was discussed in the pre-operative consultation. If you need to wear a removable appliance in the first two weeks after implant surgery, please make sure it is properly adjusted to avoid pressure on the implants. It is best to eat only a soft diet with removable appliances over healing implants even after proper adjustment.