After Placement Of Dental Implants

Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There will be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.

Control of Bleeding

  • Slight bleeding for the first 12-24 hours is normal after dental implant surgery.
  • If bleeding still persists, use gauze (packet which was given to you).
  • Place this gauze directly over the surgical site. Ask your relative or your friend to help you do this.
  • Change the gauze every 20 minutes until bleeding stops.
  • If bleeding still continues, bite on a moist teabag for hour.
  • If profuse bleeding does not stop, call this office Renew Oral & Facial Surgical Centre Phone Number 780-439-4399)
  • If wearing dentures, do not wear until notified by surgeon.

Control of Pain

  • Pain after dental surgery can be quite severe for a day or two. Fill your prescription right away and take as prescribed before the numb feeling starts to wear off. Do not wait until the pain starts.
  • Take medication as directed.

Warning

  • Don’t take too many pain killers as their effect is limited, only take as prescribed. If you think you are in need of stronger pain killers, call this office or the hospital.
  • Painkillers depress reaction time. Driving a car or working with machinery should be avoided for a minimum of 24 hours.
  • If you develop a rash or hives, stop all medication and contact the office/hospital.

Control of Swelling

  • As soon as you reach home, REST.
  • Begin using ice packs on your face for the next 48 hours (2 days) then stop. Ice packed in a towel (or frozen vegetables) should be placed on the side of the face where surgery was done. Do not keep the ice on one place constantly to avoid freezing the area 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off. This helps reduce swelling.
  • On the 3rd day, start warm compresses on the side of the surgery continue for 3-4 days.
  • Swelling and bruising are common.
  • Swelling should peak in 72 hours.

Nausea

  • Nausea is normal after anesthesia.
  • Small amounts of carbonated soda (Ginger Ale, etc.) are helpful. Vomiting can occur sometimes to get rid of blood you have swallowed.
  • If vomiting persists, call this office/hospital.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The night of surgery, use the prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse before bed. The day after surgery, the Peridex 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 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least four to five times a day, as well, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth with the healing abutments is not a problem. Be gentle initially when brushing the surgical areas. You must brush the site of surgery to maintain cleanliness.

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 should not be used immediately after surgery and for at least ten days. This was discussed in the preoperative consultation.