Post-Op Instructions
(Dental Implants)
Surgery of the oral cavity is similar to surgery to other parts of the body and requires careful attention to post-operative instructions. Only by doing so will there be a minimal number of side effects.
Click here for post-op instructions for dental extractions.
- Generally speaking, dental implant patients should avoid pressure to the operated sites. This may involve not wearing a complete or partial denture until the swelling has subsided and sutures have been removed.
- If your implant is in a cosmetically demanding area and a temporary esthetic replacement is required, it will have to be adjusted prior to being worn.
- Complete dentures will generally require adjustment and relining with a soft tissue conditioning liner after initial healing has taken place. This may be as long as two weeks after the surgical date.
- Smoking is absolutely contraindicated. There is now statistical evidence to show that the success rate of dental implants in a smoking individual is reduced substantially. Even in the short term, wound healing problems are greater. Any sucking action may promote bleeding and tissue movement.
- Oral hygiene is of the utmost importance; however do not brush for 24 hours. Following surgery, rinse with salt and water (one teaspoon to ½ litre of water) then Peridex in the afternoon and at bedtime. Begin brushing 24 hours after surgery with soft brush and toothpaste. For 14 days following surgery, rinse 8-10 times per day with salt and water and 3 times a day with antibacterial rinse.
- Ice is good to minimize swelling and bruising on the first day. It should be applied regularly 25 minutes on and 5 minutes off for the first 8 hours. Generally, swelling is not a problem for single implants, but can be a problem if multiple implants are placed. There also may be additional swelling if you have had bone grafting to facilitate placement of implants.
- Take prescribed medication as directed.
- Sutures may or may not be resorbable. A liquid diet initially followed by a soft non-chewing diet is indicated until after sutures resorb or are removed.
- A soft diet = no chewing at operative site and must be maintained for 14 days.
- Three follow-up appointments over the next 14 days will be booked by a staff member on the surgery day.
DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL US IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS SHOULD PROBLEMS ARISE.
TEL: (902) 892-7600