After Placement of Dental Implants
OUR DOCTORS ONLY PRESCRIBE ELECTRONICALLY.
YOUR PRESCRIPTION WILL BE ELECTRONICALLY SENT
TO THE PHARMACY YOU INDICATED ON YOUR HEALTH HISTORY FORM.
Bleeding
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding can be controlled by rolling a gauze up into a ball, placing it over the site, and biting on it for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues please call for further instructions.
Swelling
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. Swelling usually peaks at the second to third day after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice pack, an ice filled plastic baggie, or a towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of the surgery. Apply the ice continuously, as much as possible, for the first 24-48 hours.
Diet
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food. 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 you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For mild pain, 1 or 2 Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 3-4 hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen, bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 2-3 tablets may be taken every 3-4 hours as needed for pain. For moderate to severe pain, the prescribed medication 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. Take the medication for the full time it is prescribed. If you develop severe stomach upset or a rash or hives, please call our office.
Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The night of surgery, if an antiseptic mouth rinse was prescribed, use the mouth rinse before bed. The day after surgery, the mouth rinse should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. Warm salt water rinses (one half of a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm 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.
