After Placement Of Dental Implants

Now that your implants have been placed, it is important that you take the proper steps to insure that you will heal satisfactorily and that your implants will have the greatest chance for successful integration. The instructions that follow will help you to achieve that goal.

Bleeding

A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is not uncommon in the first day. Active heavy bleeding is characterized by red blood coming from the wound or socket. The best way to control bleeding is by applying pressure with a gauze pad. Extra gauze pads were given to you by our office staff for this purpose, if necessary. Moisten a gauze pad with plain water and gently wipe the bleeding point to remove any clots that may have formed. Then fold two gauze pads into a small square and lightly moisten with water. Be sure to place the gauze pads directly over the bleeding point with firm pressure before biting down. Then, bite down on the gauze pad for 30 minutes and replace as necessary until bleeding stops. At this point, if bleeding persists, you may use a teabag (soaked in warm water, squeezed damp dry, and wrapped in moist gauze) for 30 minutes. If you are unable to control heavy bleeding after two hours at home, please call our office at 973-376-1144.

Swelling

If ice has been recommended by our office, it should be applied continuously for the first 24 hours. If swelling occurs, it typically reaches its peak at 48 hours and will gradually decline from that point. If swelling is non-painful in nature, you may disregard it and allow it to resolve over the remainder of the week. If the swelling is painful or increases after 48 hours, please call the office at 973-376-1144.

Oral Hygiene

No rinsing of any kind should be performed on the day of surgery. You can brush your teeth gently the night of surgery, avoiding the surgical site. It is important to maintain cleanliness near the implant surgery area and throughout the mouth. This is accomplished through rinsing. Rinsing of the mouth should begin on the day following surgery. A solution of ½ teaspoon of table salt in an 8oz glass of lukewarm water should be used 4 times a day and whenever food has been eaten. Rinsing facilitates healing by removing debris from the surgical sites. Rinsing will also reduce unpleasant odors that may occur when debris remains adherent to stitches which may be present. If you feel that it is necessary to remove food or plaque from a tooth near the implant site, gently clean it with a q-tip moistened with water. After your first postoperative visit, we will advise you further as to home care procedures. In some instances we may prescribe an antimicrobial mouthwash to be used for a period of time.

Diet

Diet during the early postoperative days should be restricted to soft foods. Examples are apple sauce, mashed potatoes, yogurt, jello, pudding, scrambled eggs, strained baby foods, etc. Hot foods should be allowed to cool prior to eating. With alteration of the diet, concern must be given to the selection of foods to maintain a proper balance of nutritional factors. High calorie, high protein intake is very important A diet should not be restricted, for example, to only apple sauce or yogurt for several days. With the use of a blender, various meats and vegetables can be changed to a more suitable form. The use of Ensure, Sustagen, or Instant Breakfast may be helpful as nutritional aids in the early postoperative period.

Liquid intake is important. In the immediate postoperative period, do not use straws when drinking from a glass. The sucking motion can cause more bleeding by dislodging the blood clot. You should prevent dehydration by taking fluids regularly. Your food intake will be limited for the first few days. You should compensate for this by increasing your fluid intake.

Since you may not be able to eat your normal quantity of food at a sitting, we suggest that you eat smaller amounts more frequently. You will feel better, have more strength, less discomfort, and heal faster if you continue to eat

Pain

Start taking pain medication as soon as you get home, before the numbness wears off. Use the OTC medication which most agrees with you, such as Tylenol, Motrin, or Advil. You may take these medications every four hours if needed. The first twelve hours are usually the most challenging in controlling pain. If OTC medication does not relieve your pain, then use the prescription medication as directed. By alternating theover the counter (OTC) meds with prescription meds every two hours during the first twelve hours, you can insure that some level of pain reliever is in your body at all times and still avoid excessive dosing.

After the first day, if there is no pain at all then there is no need to use medication. Usually some level of mild pain will persist and for that you should use the OTC medication which most agrees with you, such as Tylenol, Motrin, or Advil. The prescribed pain medicine may make you groggy and will slow down your reflexes. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery within six hours of using these meds. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Pain or discomfort following surgery should subside somewhat each day. If high level pain persists after three days, it may require attention and you should call the office at 973-376-1144.

Antibiotics

If you have been placed on antibiotics, take the pills or liquid as directed. Antibiotics will be given to help prevent infection. In the event of a rash or other unfavorable reaction, call the office at 973-376-1144 as soon as possible.

Wearing Your Denture or Bridgework

If you wear a removable complete or partial denture which sits over the area of implant surgery we will ask you to refrain from using it for about 2 weeks. This is done to prevent pressure on the gum which may adversely affect the implants. We understand that this presents a significant inconvenience to some of you and we try our best to make whatever adjustments possible to allow for the early resumption of denture use, but protection of the implant site must be assured. If you wear a temporary fixed bridge that does not press on the implant site, you may be able to continue using it right after the surgery. For the most part, dentures in the opposite jaw may continue to be used, as long as you follow the instructions about diet.

Follow-Up Visits

The first follow-up visit usually occurs at 7-10 days. The surgical site will be inspected and sutures may be removed. After suture removal, visits will vary according to patient conditions. Some patients may continue returning to our office or to their restorative dentist for adjustments of their appliances. Others may be seen periodically just for observation. You will be advised at each visit when to return next.

Again, it is our desire that your recovery be as smooth and pleasant as possible. If you have any questions about you progress or any symptoms you are experiencing, please call the office at 973-376-1144.