Post-operative Instructions - Dental Implants

DIET: Advance diet as tolerated, meaning you may begin eating and drinking as desired.  Drink lots of fluids.

GAUZE PACKS: Gauze packs have been placed over the surgical sites.  Continue to bite on the gauze for one hour.  DO NOT CHANGE the gauze frequently as this may cause continued bleeding.  After the first hour, remove the gauze packs.  A small amount of oozing from the surgical area is normal, and may persist until bedtime that night.  You have been given additional gauze to change every hour as needed.

SUTURES:  Your sutures are resorbable and dissolve anywhere between 3-4 weeks after surgery.

MOUTH RINSE: If your surgeon has prescribed an antimicrobial mouth rinse, use it as directed.

ANTIBIOTICS:  If your surgeon has prescribed an antibiotic, finish the antibiotic until the course has been completed.  DO NOT stop taking the antibiotic early.

SWELLING:  Expect the swelling and discomfort to peak on post-operative days 3 and 4 then gradually improve over the next several days.

PAIN MEDICATION:  Take any medication as needed and as directed.  Begin taking the pain medication before all the numbness goes away. If you were prescribed 600mg Ibuprofen, start with that as soon as you get home and take every 6 hours as directed. Between the doses of 600mg Ibuprofen, take 650mg Tylenol (if there are no medical contraindications in your specific case). Use the narcotic pain medication only as needed for breakthrough pain, as directed. Note that the limit of Acetaminophen/Tylenol in a 24-hour period is 3000mg. Make sure to eat BEFORE taking pain medication, as most pain medications can cause nausea/GI upset when taken on an empty stomach.  DO NOT DRIVE A VEHICLE OR OPERATE HEAVY MACHINERY WHILE TAKING NARCOTIC PAIN MEDICATION.

BRUSHING YOUR TEETH:  Do not brush over the implant or the tissue surrounding it until directed by our staff.  You may brush and floss any adjacent teeth.

ACTIVITY AFTER SURGERY:  Rest as soon as you get home.  It may be helpful to keep your head slightly elevated for the first 24 hours (sleep on extra pillow if necessary.). Refrain from strenuous physical activity for 5 days.

SMOKING:  Ideally, do not smoke at all to ensure proper healing of the implant tissue.  Smoking is ABSOLUTELY CONTRAINDICATED FOR 7 DAYS FOLLOWING SURGERY. It is well-proven that smoking at any point after an implant has been placed increases the risk of bone loss and failure of the implant.