After Placement of Dental Implants

Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery.

There may be metal healing abutments protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.

• Discomfort
• Diet
• Pain Management
• Hygiene
• Activity and Protheses

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 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 bag face over the area of surgery.

Apply the ice 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off , as much as possible, for the first 24 hours.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food. The diet for the first day should consist only of liquids and foods that do not require chewing.

Return to a normal diet as soon as possible, but avoid chewing on the surgical site for the first week.

Pain

Please take the prescribed pain medication as directed. Begin taking pain medication as soon as you get home from the office after your surgery. Do not wait for the pain to start before taking the medication.

Always eat before taking any narcotic pain medication to decrease the incidence of nausia.

Antibiotics

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

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. On the night of surgery, use the prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse before bed. The day after surgery, the Peridex should be used twice daily. Use it after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out.

Warm salt water rinses (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day, as well, especially after meals. Please brush your teeth, but avoid brushing the surgical site during the first post operative week.

During this first week, clean the surgical area with a Q-tip soaked in the Peridex. After the first week, you can begin with gentle brushing of the area. Brushing can become more vigorous as the tenderness decreases.

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.

Wearing your Prosthesis

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be used immediately after surgery. Dr. Eggert will give you specific instructions as to when you can begin to wear your prosthesis.