Dental Implant Surgery After Care

Last updated on August 25th, 2018 at 04:55 pm

After dental implant surgery, you will need to take care and special precautions to ensure proper healing. Here are some tips and guidelines for you to follow after your procedure.

Be sure to only have cold drinks at first. Do not eat until after that local anesthetic has had time to wear off. You should also avoid hot food and drinks for at least the first day. Try not to keep liquid over the area for too long. Be certain not to rub or irritate the area with your fingers or tongue.  Strenuous activity should be avoided for the first 48 hours after surgery.

Swelling After Dental Implant Surgery

Note that some swelling will occur and is normal. Most swelling will be worse in the mornings. After about 48 hours, the swelling will begin to fade. You may also experience some bruising. This too will clear up after a few days. By using ice packs wrapped in a cloth, you can reduce swelling. Hold the cold pack on the cheek area for no more than 10 minutes per session, and take a 20 minute break before using the ice pack again. After the initial 24 hours, you may find that gentle heat is actually more beneficial. Some people find that using 2-3 pillows while sleeping also helps.

Pain After Dental Implant Surgery

You really should experience very little pain, if any. While you may have some soreness the first few days, it can be easily handled with basic pain killers. Consult with your oral surgeon to find out which pain killers they recommend for you. If you find that pain is not getting better, and may even be getting worse, then it is time to call the surgeon’s office.

Dentures After the Procedure

Dentures that may  cover the surgical area should not be worn for a few days after the procedure. You may need to have your dentures adjusted after the surgery, if they no longer fit properly.

Stitches After Dental Implants Surgery

If you have any stitches, they will be dissolvable. You can expect them to remain for about 2-3 weeks post-op. Some patients may opt to have them manually removed after the first week.

Bleeding After Dental Implant Surgery

Some bleeding is likely to occur and is normal. If necessary, you may use sterile gauze to apply slight pressure to the area.

Antibiotics

Your oral surgeon may prescribe you antibiotics after the procedure to reduce any risk of infection. Be sure to take and finish the medication as directed by your doctor.

Keeping Your Mouth Clean After Dental Implant Surgery

Be certain to use any mouthwash or rinse that your surgeon gives to you according to their instructions. Your other teeth should be cleaned as normally as possible, using a toothbrush. Some people find hot salt water rinses to be beneficial for the first week following the implant procedure. Please refrain from smoking until your wounds have fully healed.

Dental Implant Surgery