IMPLANT

After Dental Implant Surgery

The placement of a dental implant can be very simple or may be complicated depending on the circumstances of your case. Post-operative care is very important. Unnecessary pain and the complications of infection and swelling can be minimized if the instructions are followed carefully. There may be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue at the implant site. It should be cleaned just like a tooth. You must be careful not to chew on the implant during the entire healing phase until the tooth is placed on the implant.

Immediately following surgery:

  • Bite on the gauze pad placed over the surgical site for an hour. After this time, the gauze pad should be removed and discarded and replaced by another gauze pad.
  • Avoid vigorous mouth rinsing or touching the wound area following surgery. This may initiate bleeding by causing the blood clot that has formed to become dislodged.
  • To minimize any swelling, place ice packs to the sides of your face where surgery was performed.
  • Take the prescribed pain medications as soon as you can so it is digested before the local anesthetic has worn off. Having something of substance in the stomach to coat the stomach will help minimize nausea from the pain medications.
  • Restrict your activities the day of surgery and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable. If you are active, your heart will be beating harder and you can expect excessive bleeding and throbbing from the wound.
  • NO SMOKING UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

Home Care:

  • 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.
  • Chew where your natural teeth are and not on the dental implant throughout the whole healing phase.
  • Be sure to complete the entire course of prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.
  • Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments is no problem. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas but do not avoid them.
  • Warm salt water rinses (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) or plain water should be used at least 4-5 times a day especially after meals starting the day after surgery.
  • Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should NOT be used immediately after surgery and for at least 10 days. This would be discussed in the pre-operative consultation.

 

Call us at +65 6282 0122 if you have any questions or concerns.