After Dental Implant surgery

Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There may 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 (your mouth fills up rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a folded gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, please call for further instructions.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice pack, or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice while awake for 15 minutes at a time with an interval of rest, for the first 48 hours.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or foods. Soft foods and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery and for the first post-operative week.

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, one or two Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken. Tylenol may be taken every four hours. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol if you have no contraindications. Ibuprofen bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: two to three tablets may be taken every four to six hours as needed for pain. For more severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed.

Antibiotics

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to proper healing. Warm salt-water rinses (a one-half teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least four to five times a day, and especially after meals. Brushing your teeth with the healing abutments is not a problem. Be gentle initially when brushing the surgical areas. Please avoid the use of a Sonicare or electric toothbrush near the healing abutments.

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, flippers, or full dentures can be used immediately after surgery in most cases. Please call the office with any questions at Lynnwood Office Phone Number 425-778-5991.