DENTAL IMPLANTS / PERIODONTAL SURGERY
FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY:
- Put an ice-pack on your cheek right after surgery for 10 minutes then give a rest and again for 10 minutes for first 24 hours. This reduces swelling after surgery very much.
- Do not use hot/warm food or drink for first 48 hours.
- 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 area.
Spitting, the use of a straw, smoking, and poking the surgical area can dislodge the blood clot that is forming and will cause bleeding from the area. Also, smoking can increase the chances of bleeding because it produce so much heat that will dissolve the clot.
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 may increase for the first 24–48 hours before it starts to go away. It may last for several days. Some bruising may also develop on the face. Putting ice-pack in first 24 hours reduces swelling.
BLEEDING
Some minor bleeding is expected after dental implant/periodontal 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.
If it is more:
- Do not wash your mouth, It cannot prevent it and may cause more bleeding.
- Wet a sterile gauze with normal saline or your mouth wash and keep it on the surgical area in a U shape form with your thumb and index finger with some pressure for 20 Do not remove before that to check.
- If all else fails, call the office.
DIET
You may start with non-abrasive cold foods such as mashed potatoes, pasta, cottage cheese, soup, or scrambled eggs as soon as the local anesthetic wears off. You can start warm foods after 48 hours.
You may resume a regular diet as soon as you feel up to it; however, please try not to chew directly on the surgery sites.
ORAL HYGIENE
You may start rinsing after 24 hours, very gently, with your mouth rinse, preferably Chlorhexidine, 10cc for 30 seconds or salt water (1 tsp of salt in 8 ounces of water). You may brush your teeth per usual after 24 hours, though be very careful near the surgical sites.
SUTURES
Unless told otherwise, the sutures used during your procedure must be removed in the office after 7 to 14 days.
BONE GRAFT MATERIAL
If your surgeon placed bone graft material at the time of dental implant or periodontal surgery, you might notice some gritty material in your mouth and swelling may be more than usual.
This is nothing to worry about and should subside within 3 or 4 days.
Depending on the location and stability of the implant being placed, your surgeon may opt to bury the implant under the gum tissue. In time, you will return and have the implant uncovered so the implant can be restored.
If stability is optimal, the second stage procedure can be bypassed, and an healing abutment is placed at the time of surgery that protrudes through the gum tissue, which will be visible. Once the bone has healed, the restoring Dr. Dowlatshahi will be able to access the implant without the need for further surgery.
WHEN CAN THE CROWN BE PLACED?
A dental crown can be attached to a dental implant once the implant has fused to the bone. This is a process called osseointegration.
The length of time the bone must heal varies from case to case and will be discussed with your surgeon, Usually 2 months for lower jaw and 3 months for upper jaw. The length of time needed for osseointegration is a function of the bone quality, quantity, and implant stability at the time of placement.
MEDICATIONS
You were probably given one or more prescriptions for medications. Take all as directed on the bottle. Call us if you experience severe nausea or diarrhea, or cannot swallow your pills.
- Antibiotics: Continue until the bottle is empty. Do not quit halfway.
- Pain Medicine: If directed to do so, you may use Ibuprofen, 600 mg, every 6 hours while awake or Acetaminophen, 500 mg every 4-6 hours for the first 4 or 5 days.
ACTIVITY
You may resume your normal activities after 48 hours.
Go easy at first and increase your activity slowly over several days back to your normal routine.
Start your hard workout, running or swimming after 7 days.
Please follow these instructions as closely as possible. They are designed to help you heal quickly and comfortably.
