Anchorage Placement of Dental Implants Post-Op 

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

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 30-60 minutes. If bleeding continues please call for further instructions.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice in cycles of 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off, as much as possible, for the first 36-48 hours.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food. Please stay on a soft diet (nothing harder then scrambled eggs) for the first week. Please avoid bitting hard foods in the area of the implant until it has a crown in place. 

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. You will be prescribed medication to control the discomfort following surgery. Please have the prescription filled within 2-3 hours following your procedure. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken along with your pain medication. Ibuprofen, bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 3-4 tablets may be taken every 6-8 hours as needed for pain. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any medication that you are allergic to or if you have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.

Antibiotics

If you are prescribed any antibiotics, please take them until they are gone. Antibiotics are effective only if you keep them in your system as prescribed.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The day after surgery, use warm saline (1 tsp. to eight (8) ounces of warm water) three to four times a day for approximately four days. Hold the saline in your mouth for approximately thirty to forty five seconds and gently spit it out. Brush your teeth the day after surgery, but be careful to avoid the surgery sites. Use warm water and a soft toothbrush when brushing your teeth.

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

You will be consulted on how to use any partial or full denture prosthesis following surgery. Your general dentist will discuss this with you as well as your surgeon.