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Post-Op Dental Implants

Post-Operative Instructions for Dental Implants at MidJersey Family and Implant Dentistry in Somerset, NJ

Read MidJersey Family and Implant Dentistry’s post-operative instructions for dental implant. To consult our professionals, please contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 107 Cedar Grove Ln Suite 102, Somerset, NJ 08873.


Post-Operative Instructions: Dental Implants

FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY:

  • Do not spit. Use a tissue to wipe your mouth as needed, or swallow your saliva.
  • Do not use a drinking straw. Drink straight from the cup.
  • DO NOT SMOKE FOR 72 HOURS!!!
  • Keep fingers and tongue away from the surgical area.

Spitting, the use of a straw, smoking, and poking the surgical area can dislodge the blood clot that is forming and will cause bleeding from the area. Also, smoking can increase the chances of an infection and may delay healing.

BLEEDING:

Some minor bleeding is expected after dental implant surgery. It will usually subside quickly and stop within an hour or two after surgery. A little oozing is normal and may persist for several hours.

  • Keep gauze on the surgical area with some biting pressure for 30–45 minutes.
  • If all else fails, call the office.

SWELLING:

Most patients will experience some swelling after surgery in the mouth. It may be mild or severe and is different for every patient. The swelling may increase for the first 24–48 hours before it starts to go away. It may last for several days. Some bruising may also develop on the face.

DIET:

You may start with non-abrasive foods such as mashed potatoes, pasta, cottage cheese, soup, or scrambled eggs as soon as the local anesthetic wears off.

You may resume a regular diet as soon as you feel up to it; however, please try not to chew directly on the implant sites.

ORAL HYGIENE:

You may start rinsing tomorrow, very gently, with some warm salt water (1 tsp of salt in 8 ounces of warm water). You may brush your teeth per usual, though be very careful near the surgical sites.

SUTURES:

Unless told otherwise, the sutures used during your procedure are dissolvable and will fall out on their own. This generally occurs in the first week after surgery, but timing varies from 4–10 days.

BONE GRAFT MATERIAL:

If your surgeon placed bone graft material at the time the dental implant was placed, you might notice some gritty material in your mouth.This is nothing to worry about and should subside within a day or two.

Will I be able to see the implant?

Depending on the location and stability of the implant being placed, your surgeon may opt to bury the implant under the gum tissue. In time, you will return and have the implant uncovered so the implant can be restored.

If stability is optimal, the second stage procedure can be bypassed, and an attachment is placed that protrudes through the gum tissue, which will be visible. Once the bone has healed, the restoring dentist will be able to access the implant without the need for further surgery.

MEDICATIONS:

  • Antibiotics: Continue until the bottle is empty. Do not quit halfway.
  • Pain Medicine: Usually it is necessary to take narcotic pain medication in a scheduled fashion (every 4–6 hours) for the first 24 hours and as needed thereafter. Remember that narcotics can make you drowsy, so no driving, swimming, operating machinery, or drinking alcoholic beverages while you are taking them.
  • You may wean yourself off of the narcotic medication and substitute 500 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol®).

ACTIVITY:

Limit physical activity during the first 24–48 hours after surgery. Overexertion may lead to post-operative bleeding and discomfort. When you lie down, keep your head elevated on a pillow. You may wish to place a towel on your pillowcase to avoid staining from any blood-tainted saliva. Once you are no longer taking narcotic pain medication, you may resume your normal activities as you feel up to it.

Get Directions to MidJersey Family and Implant Dentistry in Somerset, NJ

Somerset, NJ

  • 107 Cedar Grove Ln Suite 102, Somerset, NJ 08873
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107 Cedar Grove Ln Suite 102, Somerset, NJ 08873