Dental Implant Placement

FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY

• Do not spit. Use a tissue to wipe your mouth as needed or swallow your saliva.
• Do not use a drinking straw. Drink straight from the cup.
• Do not smoke.
• Keep fingers and tongue away from the surgical site.

Spitting, the use of a straw, smoking, and poking can dislodge the blood clot that is forming and will cause bleeding from the area. Also, smoking can increase the chances of an infection.

FOR BLEEDING

Some minor bleeding is expected after implant surgery. It will usually subside quickly and stop within an hour or two after surgery. A little oozing is normal and may persist for several hours. Upper implants may occasionally trigger some bleeding from the nose. This is normal and will stop quickly. Follow these steps to manage bleeding:

• Keep gauze on the surgical area with some pressure for 30 to 45 minutes.
• Remove the gauze after 30 to 45 minutes and replace it with a new piece of gauze if you are still bleeding. It is important to make sure the gauze is directly on the surgical site. Firm pressure for another hour should stop the bleeding.
• If you find that this is not working after your third attempt, use a moistened tea bag instead of gauze. The tannic acid in tea will help to form a clot and stop bleeding.
• If all else fails, call our dental office.

FOR SWELLING

Most patients will experience some swelling after surgery in the mouth. It may be mild or severe and is different for every patient. The swelling will get bigger for the first 24 to 48 hours before it starts to go away. It may last for several days to one week. Some bruising may also develop on the face. You can relieve swelling by following these steps:

• Use an ice pack on the cheek or face next to the surgical site. Keep it on for 15 to 20 minutes, then off for 10 minutes, and repeat until you go to sleep. Start again the next day.
• Sleep with your head elevated slightly above the heart. This will keep swelling down.
• On the third day, change to moist heat instead of ice packs. This will bring the swelling down quicker.

EATING

You may eat soft foods as soon as the anesthetic wears off. Try not to chew directly on the surgical site. You may resume a regular diet as soon as you feel up to it. Please stay well nourished, and well hydrated because you will heal faster.

BRUSHING

You may brush your teeth, avoiding the surgical area, either tonight, or tomorrow morning. Be gentle, and do not spit or rinse forcefully. Start brushing the surgical area on the second day and be very gentle on the stitches.

RINSING

You may start rinsing today, gently, with some warm salty water every few hours. Do not use alcohol-containing mouth rinses for a few days.

MEDICATIONS

We will typically give you one or more prescriptions for medications. Take all medications with a full glass of water, and as directed on the bottle. Call us if you experience severe nausea or diarrhea or cannot swallow your pills. Remember these tips for your medication:

• Antibiotics: Continue until the bottle is empty—do not quit halfway.
• Pain medication: Continue as necessary. Remember that narcotics can make you drowsy, so no driving, operating machinery, or alcoholic beverages while you are taking them.
• Mouth rinse: Use Peridex or Periogard. Swish with one half ounces of liquid for thirty seconds, and spit it out, two times per day.