After Implant Instructions

What to expect after Dental Implant Surgery?

To help make your recovery as comfortable as possible, we have provided some basic post-op instructions. If you are experiencing extreme discomfort, or have questions or concerns, please contact our office.

You may experience bleeding, swelling, and moderate pain after your surgery. Please avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery.

Post Operative Healing  

There is a great variation in healing times between one individual and another.  At the time of surgery, I might recommend that conditions dictate a longer healing period before a crown can be placed.  This healing period can vary from 6 weeks to 6 months.  It will be necessary to see you 5 -10 days after surgery to remove stitches, which is quick and painless.

Bleeding Post Operative

You must not rinse your mouth for 24 hours after surgery.  This will allow the blood clot to stabilize.  There may be some oozing after surgery and your bed linen should be protected.  If you are concerned by the amount of bleeding, place the pack provided or a tissue over the socket and bite down for 30 minutes by the clock.  If the bleeding continues please do not hesitate to call our office.  

Healing 

Usually, osseo-integration (sucessful bone healing) takes at least 3-6 months in the lower jaw and 4-6 months in the upper jaw.  This depends on the implant stability at the time of surgery and on the bone quality.

Oral Hygiene after Surgery

While dental implants cannot decay, poor oral hygiene resulting in plaque buildup around the teeth and implants can cause irreversible damage to supporting bone, especially during the healing period.  Immediately after the surgery, the tissues will be tender.  Please clean your mouth away from the surgery as carefully as possible. 

Smoking 

Smoking can reduce the success rate for implant surgery.  It would be in your best interest to cut back or better still, stop for the week before and aftre surgery. 

Denture Wearers 

If you are a denture wearer and have been told to keep it out, please only wear it when absolutely necessary.  When eating with them in, only eat very soft foods. You must keep the denture clean.

Diet 

It is important that you eat a well balanced diet before and after surgery as this will help with healing.  After surgery, soft foods such as soup, fruit drinks,pasta, eggs, fish, mashed potato, yogurt and cereals can provide all the nutrients you need.