The following will cover important information regarding proper post-surgical care for dental implants. It is imperative that you follow these instructions carefully to maximize your healing and improve the long-term outcome of your dental implant(s).
Do NOT disturb the wound. There may be a metal cap (healing abutment) slightly protruding through the gum tissue. If so, do not chew over the area where the dental implant is located for at least 6 weeks (or longer) after placement. You should brush the area gently when you brush your teeth for the first few days until it is no longer tender in the area. If you use an electric toothbrush, turn off the vibrating component when brushing over the metal cap (healing abutment), as this may cause it to loosen. It is important to keep this clean. If the cap begins to feel taller, loosen, or fall out, call the office immediately and save the healing abutment. There is a short window of time (minutes to a few hours) where it can be replaced without surgery.
To minimize discomfort following surgery, please follow the below directions.
Do not take pain medication on an empty stomach. It is wise to swallow some fluid, ice cream, or yogurt before pain medication is taken to reduce the incidence of nausea. Take your pain medication as prescribed. Usually, take one of the prescribed pain pills within 1 hour following surgery. This will allow the pain pill to dissolve and get into the bloodstream by the time the local anesthetic is wearing off. If prescribed, narcotic pain medications are generally needed only on the first day or two.
You must guard against dehydration after oral surgery. Drink a total of at least eight glasses of water, milk, ginger ale, sports drink, milkshake, or soup the first day. Sucking on ice chips or crushed ice and ginger ale or 7-Up® usually aids in masking some of the local discomfort. Avoid using a straw since the pressure involved could possibly dislodge the blood clot. Avoid smoking because it slows healing and increases pain and complications. Eat soft foods such as scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, applesauce, yogurt, and ice cream. Begin gradually returning to a normal diet a few days after surgery unless otherwise instructed. Good nutrition is important for healing and recovery. If you are diabetic, maintain your normal caloric requirements and take your medication as usual.
Do not rinse until the morning after surgery. On the day following surgery, brush as many teeth as best you can as soon as you can. Do not be overly intimidated by the pressure of the sutures. Brush very lightly over the stitches. Good hygiene is imperative to good wound healing. Food left in the wound retards healing and invites infection. A mouth rinse comprised of ¼ teaspoon salt in a glass of warm water will soothe the wound and can be used several times daily.
Do not blow up balloons, play a wind instrument (trumpet, flute, etc.), etc., for 2 weeks.
If an opening into your maxillary sinus was noted at the time of the surgery (you will be told of this), do not blow your nose; if you have to sneeze, open your mouth. The object is to avoid forcing pressure back through the sinus and out into the wound—this will cause the soft tissue closure over the socket to open up. Please see additional instructions titled “Sinus Precautions.”
Continue to take any prescription medications you were on before surgery normally unless you are advised otherwise.
The presence or absence of side effects vary from patient to patient and certainly vary with the difficulty of the surgical procedure. The following conditions may occur, all of which are considered normal: