After Your Surgery
Post-Operative Instructions
The post-operative course for dental implants typically involves very little swelling or pain. However, if pain or swelling is present, it will usually subside after 3-5 days. If you have persistent swelling or pain after the second week, please call the office. During your procedure, your dental implant(s) may be covered with your gum tissue or exposed (visible silver post).
Covered Implant
If your implant was covered, please avoid chewing in the area and refer to the Post-Operative Instructions brochure. A covered implant will require a simple exposure procedure, which will be reviewed with you in the coming months.
Exposed Implant
If your implant is exposed, you will see a silver post (implant temporary abutment) appearing through the gum tissue. The exposed silver abutment portion is a temporary component that will eventually be replaced by the implant crown. On occasion, the abutment may loosen or come off. If this occurs, call the office. Please follow these additional instructions:
- Avoid hard or crunchy foods in the area: pressure from chewing hard or crunchy foods can cause implant movement or pain
- If this occurs, the implant could become compromised and may require removal and replacement
- Begin brushing the exposed silver abutment portion 1 week after the procedure
- Initially, it is common to see some bleeding of the gum tissue with the beginning of brushing
- Usually, this will subside after 2 days of normal brushing
Implant or Abutment Movement
If the implant begins to move, please call the office immediately. Pain may be present with implant movement.
Removable Temporary Tooth
This may consist of a "flipper" to replace one tooth, several teeth, or a complete temporary removable denture. The removable temporaries have been adjusted to eliminate pressure on your implant or implants.
Please keep any removable temporaries in your mouth for the first 2 days and nights. Therefore, if swelling develops, this will not affect the temporary. After the swelling subsides, the temporary should be left out of your mouth at night.
Care instructions for the removable temporary should be provided by your dentist. Any adjustments in your bite, or any adjustments required for additional comfort, will also be managed by your restorative dentist. You will be followed closely throughout the post-operative course. Before your dentist can begin fabricating your final implant crown(s), an implant stability check will be completed. This occurs 3-4 months after your implant procedure.
Fixed Temporary Tooth
Your dentist may have fabricated a temporary tooth that is attached to the implant.
This temporary is purposely adjusted to look short so that it will not make contact with any other teeth.
This temporary is only for appearance and NOT for biting into or chewing food. Because this temporary is made of plastic, it may fracture or come off. Should this occur, call your restorative dentist immediately.
THE ABOVE INSTRUCTIONS ARE PROCEDURE SPECIFIC AND ACCOMPANY THE BELOW GENERAL POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS.
General Anesthesia Precautions
**If general anesthesia or IV sedation was utilized, do not leave the patient unattended for the first 12 hours.
**Please closely supervise the patient when getting up or going to the bathroom.
Medications
Please refer to your medication information sheets if you were given prescriptions. If you have any reaction to medications prescribed, call the doctor immediately.
Managing Bleeding After Surgery
For the first hour after surgery:
Keep firm pressure on the surgical site with the gauze that was placed in your mouth after surgery. Remove gauze after 1 hour.
If Bleeding Continues
Take 1 piece of gauze and fold it in quarters, creating a firm pad. Place the pad over the surgical site. Use firm biting pressure where possible (extraction site), or direct finger pressure by holding the gauze (biopsy site). You may have to repeat this procedure several times. The bleeding should stop within 2-3 hours, but you can expect to see blood-tinged saliva for up to 24-48 hours following surgery. If bleeding is heavy, or continues after 2 hours, moisten a tea bag, place on surgical site, and apply pressure or bite firmly for 30 minutes. This usually stops the bleeding. Please remember, most bleeding is controlled and stopped with a well-positioned gauze or tea bag with direct pressure. If bleeding is heavy or continues after 24 hours, call the doctor. Do not rinse, spit, or use a straw the day of surgery, as this can cause bleeding to resume.
To Reduce Swelling
Ice for the initial 24 hours. Use ice packs applied to the face for 20-minute intervals (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off). If oral surgery was performed on both the right and left sides, it is recommended to use one ice pack and alternate sides every 20 minutes. This is the most effective way to reduce swelling. Do not exceed 20 minutes in one area as this can cause tissue injury. Swelling usually reaches its maximum 2 days following surgery. To help reduce swelling, sit semi-reclined in a reclining chair; if lying down, keep your head elevated with 2-3 pillows. Icing should be discontinued after 24 hours. While icing your face may feel good, it will act to increase swelling. Again, DO NOT ice beyond 24 hours.
Orthodontic Retainers
If you have orthodontic retainers, please do not use them immediately after surgery. Use of your retainers can resume 1-3 days after the procedure or as comfort allows.
Diet
Resume your diet immediately following surgery. When you get home, start with a milkshake, smoothie, or other thick liquid using a spoon, NOT a straw. Your diet should be limited to cool and soft foods for the first day. Sometimes numbness from local anesthesia may last for hours; therefore, hot foods and liquids should be avoided, as they can cause a burn. A normal diet can be resumed as tolerated. Most foods can be eaten as long as care is taken to avoid the surgical sites. The following are some suggested softer foods: pancakes with syrup, eggs, and pastas like macaroni and cheese or spaghetti.
Oral Hygiene
Rinse with warm salt water or tap water beginning 3 days after surgery. To make a salt water rinse, add 1 teaspoon of salt to 4-5 oz of warm water. Rinse at least 3 times per day: in the morning, after meals, and before bed. Do not gargle. With extractions, you may have been given a plastic irrigating syringe. Begin using this syringe 3 days after your extraction. Using tap water or salt water, gently irrigate only the lower extraction site(s) once a day to remove any food debris that may persist after rinsing. Continue until all debris is removed. Do not use over-the-counter mouthwash, such as Scope® or Listerine®, as these can irritate the surgery site and slow healing. Resume brushing your teeth the day after surgery, being careful to avoid the surgical sites. It is not unusual to see traces of blood on your toothbrush.
Activity and Smoking/Vaping
Physical activity should be limited after oral surgery procedures. Vigorous exercise or organized sports should not be resumed until 3-5 days after surgery or as your condition allows. Please contact our office if a written excuse is needed for organized sports or gym class. The nicotine from smoking and vaping can significantly delay healing and cause an increase in post-operative pain. Therefore, you should refrain from smoking as long as possible.
Stitches
Stitches that have been placed are usually dissolvable and will fall out on their own within the first 4 days, possibly longer. It is not unusual for one or more to loosen and fall out before dissolving, especially in moving areas of your mouth, such as the tongue or cheek areas. If the stitches come out and the wound opens and creates a hole, it is typically not of concern unless there is excessive bleeding. Fortunately, incisions in the mouth do heal very quickly, and any wound that does open will close naturally.
Follow-up Visits
If a follow-up visit is necessary, an appointment would have been scheduled for you. Post-operative appointments are always available. Please call the office during business hours if you would like to be seen.
When You Get Home
- Remove gauze packing.
- Drink at least ¼ of your milkshake (or smoothie, or other cool, thick liquid) using a spoon—NOT a straw.
- Take pain reliever immediately, as explained in the "Pain Management" instruction sheet, unless you were already given ibuprofen in recovery.
- Take the antibiotic (if prescribed) as directed.
- Replace the gauze packing, if necessary.
- Begin ice packs to the outside of your face, as explained previously, no longer than 20 minutes on one side.
- Increase your fluid intake throughout the day.
Typical Recovery
With most oral surgery procedures, post-operative discomfort can actually worsen between the third and sixth days. This discomfort is considered normal and should be managed with your pain medication. If you have significant discomfort, even with pain medication, or you cannot tolerate the pain medication, please call the office.
When to Call the Doctor
If there is a drug reaction, significant swelling, persistent pain or bleeding, or any other unusual reactions, call the office immediately. Additionally, if you have any questions during the post-operative period, do not hesitate to call. There is an answering service to respond to emergencies at all times when the office is closed.