Home Instructions After Dental Implant Surgery
After dental implant surgery, do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, carbonated beverages or touching the wound.
Bleeding
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on gauze placed directly on the bleeding wound for 60 minutes. If bleeding continues profusely, please call the office for further instructions.
Swelling
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling apply ice to the affected area on and off for the first 24-72 hrs.
Diet
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid eating hot food or drinking hot beverages. Eat Soft foods such as Jell-O, pudding, yogurt, soft eggs that are warm (not hot), etc.. Soft food should be eaten on the day of surgery. Please refrain from carbonated beverages. Return to a normal diet approximately 7 days after the procedure, unless otherwise noted.
Pain
You should begin taking pain medication before the local anesthetic starts wearing off. Dr. Pierse will prescribe an anti-inflammatory will be moderate pain and a narcotic for breakthrough pain. If the anti-inflammatory is not helping with the pain, alternately taking the anti-inflammatory with the narcotic, as prescribed. Do not take the anti-inflammatory and narcotic at the same time. If you have any questions concerning the pain you are experiencing, or the taking of the prescribed medication, please call our office at any time. Consult our practice for individuals under 18. Do not take the two medications at the same time.
Additionally, for severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic to them or have been instructed by your doctor not to take them. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Pain or discomfort following surgery should subside gradually over the course of 7 days. If pain persists, it may require attention and you should call the office.
Antibiotics
Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.
Oral Hygiene
Proper oral hygiene is essential to adequate healing. The day after surgery, start rinsing with sea salt water rinses twice a day for 2-3 weeks. Brush your teeth twice a day, being especially careful and gentle near and around the surgical area(s) in the mouth. One week after surgery, Peridex should be used twice daily: after breakfast and before bed. Peridex should only be used for 1 week. When using the Peridex, be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then lightly spit it out.
Activity
For approximately 1 week following your surgery, keep physical activity to a minimum. vigorous activity, including but not limited to exercising and lifting heavy items or bending at the waist, can result in throbbing or bleeding. If this occurs, discontinue all activities that preceded the throbbing and/or bleeding. It’s important to remember that your diet is also limited and this too can diminish your ability to engage in exercise or excessive activity.
For the week following your surgery, this is your time to be pampered and catered to. As per Dr. Pierse and the staff at POMS, let you loved ones treat you like the king or queen that you are!
Wearing your Prosthesis
Partial dentures, flippers or full dentures, should not be used immediately after surgery for at least 10 days, as discussed in the pre-operative consultation.
Contact Precision Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery online or by phone at Phoenix Office Phone Number (623) 518-2325.