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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Take prescribed medication as directed.
8. 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.
9. A soft diet = no chewing at operative site and must be maintained for 14 days.
10. Three follow-up appointments over the next 14 days will be booked by a staff member on the surgery day.

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