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Sep

Post Operative Instructions For Dental Implants

Post Operative Instructions for Dental Implants help you heal quickly and protect your new smile. For expert aftercare support, call us today at (512) 863-7561.

After the surgery, the first two weeks are essential for the gums to heal, and it will take 3 to 6 months for the bone to heal and become strong enough to hold the implant.

Post Operative Instructions For Dental Implants (Diet)

Eat a soft diet for the first 3–4 days after surgery and chew on the opposite side to avoid pressure on the implant. After this time, your gums should start healing, but only return to normal eating when you feel no pain or swelling, or after your dentist confirms it. If healing takes longer, stay on a soft diet a bit longer.

Swelling

Swelling considered normal after the surgery and will go away for 2 to 3 days. During this period, you can follow some habits that can minimize it. First, when lying down, always keep 2 pillows to keep your head elevated. Also, it can be minimized by applying cold pressure for the first 2 days for 30 minutes. And, after 2 days, switch to a warm compress for 30 minutes. Doing this 2 to 3 times a day makes a lot of difference in swelling.

Rinsing

Do not rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours after the procedure, as this can loosen the blood clot. If prescribed, use chlorhexidine mouth rinse (Peridex™) as directed. Generally, you need to put this on for 1 minute twice a day, at least for 7 to 10 days.

Brushing

Maintaining oral hygiene is essential, and you can use a soft toothbrush and gently clean the implant and nearby teeth, but be careful around the stitches. Also, if your implant sticks out through your gums, keep the metal part clean.

Denture/Flipper

After the surgery, we will guide you about the instructions regarding when and how you should wear the denture or flipper. The possible options can include:

● Leave the denture and wear it once it's realigned according to your teeth.
● Wear it for 48 hours and then wear it according to the dentist's instructions.
● Wear according to the specific instructions of the dentist.

Some precautions:

● If you are experiencing soreness under your denture, dont forcefully wear it, leave it and call us.
● If you are not able to wear the dentures back, leave them and call us.

Bruising

Bruising after the surgery is normal and will subside after 1 to days. Minimise it with a warm compress for 30 minutes. Doing this 3 to 4 times a day makes it feel a lot better.

Bleeding

Experiencing heavy bleeding means the gauze pad is replaced from the surgical site. Use a fresh gauze that will directly put pressure on the surgical site and stop bleeding. Also, make sure the gauze keeps your teeth slightly apart while you bite down.

Pain

Mild pain or discomfort is normal after surgery. It’s best to take your prescribed pain medicine on time, before the numbness from anesthesia wears off. Common options may include ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®), acetaminophen (Tylenol®), or aspirin, if you are not allergic and have taken them before. In some cases, a stronger (narcotic) pain reliever may also be prescribed. These medicines can sometimes be taken together or alternated, but only follow the exact directions given by your dentist. But always eat something before you take medicines, as eating them on an empty stomach can cause nausea. And, these heavy painkillers can make you dizzy, so dont drive and operate using heavy machinery.

Antibiotics

We will prescribe antibiotics that will prevent infection. Have all the medicines as directed. Do not eat them on an empty stomach, and if you are experiencing nausea, rashes, or itching. Stop taking them, as your symptoms show that you're allergic to them. In this case, stop taking them and visit us, we will prescribe some other medicines for it.

Infection

You might develop an infection after some time of surgery, even if you are taking antibiotics on time. But if there is a sudden increase in swelling, unbearable pain, or a weird taste from the surgical area, if you experience such a type of infection, then visit us. We will suspect what’s causing this type of serious infection.

Smoking

Avoid smoking and drinking for at least the first 2 weeks of surgery

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