After Placement of Dental Implants

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.

Bleeding

Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding (clots of blood or your mouth fills with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 15 minutes. If bleeding continues please call for further instructions. Bleeding is very uncommon after implant surgery.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, you may use the provided compression face wraps. Often only needed if you have had a tooth removed at the time of implant. If you have just had an implant on it’s own there is usually no need for the cool face wraps.

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food, due to decreased feeling in the area you may inadvertently hurt the gum. 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 as soon as possible after your surgery, preferably an hour before the surgery. For moderate pain, 2 Paracetamol  may be taken every 6 hours. Celecoxib is an anti-inflammatory like Voltaren or Ibuprofen and can be take once or twice daily. For severe pain, the prescribed medication, is usually Codeine or Tramadol 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.  Use the provided Oral Rinse the day after surgery, the mouth rinse should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for 1 minute then spit it out. Hot salt water rinses (teaspoon of salt in a cup of tea temperature 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 normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.

Wearing your Prosthesis

Partial dentures or full dentures can be used immediately after surgery as long as Wayne has adjusted these.