Surgical Instructions

• Before Anesthesia
• Dental Implant Surgery
• Wisdom Tooth Removal
• Exposure of an Impacted Tooth
• Extractions
• Multiple Extractions

After Placement of Dental Implants

Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There may be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue. Do not smoke or use smokeless tobacco. Smoking inhibits the healing process and greatly increases the chance for implant failure.

Bleeding

Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills up rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a dampened tea bag placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30-45 minutes. If bleeding continues please call for further instructions. Sinus lift/push-up procedures may experience nose bleeds for 2-7days postoperatively.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag, or a plastic bag, or towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, 20 minutes on then 20 minutes off, for the first 48 hours. After 48 hours apply warm moist compresses to your face until the swelling resolves.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food. Soft, cool food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery. Chew on the opposite side of your mouth away from the site where the graft was done until otherwise directed. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless told otherwise.

Pain

You should begin taking  over-the-counter pain medication as soon after the procedure as possible. For moderate pain, 600-800 mg of Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken every six hours. 1 or 2 Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be used in place of Ibuprofen. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.

Antibiotics

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. If prescribed, the Peridex Oral Rinse should be used the morning of surgery. The day after surgery, the Peridex should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. Patients with a healing cap, please use a cotton swap dipped in Peridex or mouth rinse to swab the healing cap two times daily until your follow-up visit. Warm salt water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day, as well, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments with a soft tooth brush is not a problem. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas.

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you are considering exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.

Wearing your Prosthesis