After Implants
Implants are a wonderful way to replace a missing tooth or help secure a denture. Placing and restoring a dental implant involves a surgical procedure to place the implant in the space where a tooth is missing, followed by a restorative procedure to either place a tooth (crown) on the implant or connect the implant to an existing or new denture. In most cases, you will wait from three to four months after the implant is placed in the bone before the implant is restored. This allows the bone around the implant to fully form and ensures the implant is completely stable prior to being used.
After Implant Surgery
Prevent Bleeding
Bite firmly on the gauze pack placed by our staff for at least 30 minutes. Remove the gauze and replace every thirty minutes with the gauze provided in your take-home package as needed.
If bleeding persists, wrap gauze around a tea bag (regular black tea) and continue biting firmly on the gauze
A small amount of bleeding from the surgical area is normal for 24-36 hours. Blood mixes with saliva and becomes very runny, which can make it seem like bleeding is worse than it actually is. It’s a good idea to cover your pillow the night after your procedure.
Don’t do these things:
Do not smoke, chew, dip or vape following surgery.
Do not drink alcohol or carbonated beverages – drink plenty of water to properly hydrate.
Do not rinse, spit or gargle for 24-36 hours after your procedure. This can loosen the blood clot or sutures and cause bleeding.
Do not drink through a straw – suction can also loosen the blood clot and cause bleeding.
Eating, Drinking and Mouth Care
Eat a soft diet for 3-4 days after the procedure; no hot, spicy or sharp-edged foods.
Resume normal brushing up to the surgical site on the day after your procedure
On the day after your procedure, begin gently rinsing the mouth after meals to keep food and debris out of the wound.
Use 1 tsp. of salt to 2 cups of warm water
Preventing Pain
If you are able to take anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (Advil) and Tylenol, a non-narcotic pain regimen is very effective at limiting post-operative pain.
Take 400-600mg ibuprofen, then 500mg Tylenol 3-4 hours later, followed by 400-600mg ibuprofen 3-4 hours after the Tylenol. Repeat as needed.
During the first 24 hours after an extraction(s), cold packs, frozen peas or ice packs will help reduce swelling and stiffness and limit post-operative pain.
After the first 24 hours following an extraction, hot packs will help reduce swelling and stiffness.
After Restoring an Implant
What’s in there?
Most often, a healing abutment will be placed on the implant. This screw is visible through the gum tissue and helps form a band of soft tissue around the implant similar to the gum tissue around a natural tooth. It will be replaced with a final crown when the implant is ready to be restored.
If the healing abutment loosens or comes out, notify our office. The screw will be cone shaped with a small thread at the base - this does not mean your implant has come out.
Cleaning Implants
Implant crowns should be cleaned like normal teeth. Although an implant cannot develop decay, implants can develop gum disease or bone loss if they are not properly cleaned. Brush the area like a normal tooth. We generally recommend using a Waterpik or other oral irrigator to clean between the teeth. Floss is OK, but easily shreds around an implant and can cause irritation in the area.
If you have implants that support a denture, remove the dentures every night and brush and rinse around the implants to keep the tissue clean and clear.