Surgical Instructions
- Before Anesthesia
- After Dental Implant Surgery
- After Wisdom Tooth Removal
- After Extractions
- After Multiple Extractions
- After Bone Grafts
- After Sinus Grafts
- After Tibial Bone Harvest
- After Biopsy
After Dental Implant Surgery
Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There may be a healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue. Leave it alone.
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 minutes. This may need to be done several times during the first 24 hours postoperatively. 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 continuously, as much as possible, for the first 36 hours, with a break every hour or so.
Diet
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or hot 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.
Pain
You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, 1 or 2 Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 3-4 hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen, bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 2-3 tablets may be taken every 3-4 hours as needed for pain. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.
Antibiotics
If antibiotics have been prescribed, be sure to take them as directed to help prevent infection.
Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. Begin oral rinsing the day after surgery. Warm salt water rinses (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day, especially between meals. Brush your teeth gently as soon as you are able, wait until you are instructed to before brushing the healing abutments on the implants (normally 5-7 days postoperatively).
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
If you wear a dental prosthesis (removable denture), we will give you individual instructions on how to use it post-operatively.
