In This Section
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 gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 20-45 minutes. Elevating the head will also help decrease bleeding as well as help keep down the amount of swelling. Nosebleeds can occur after upper implant placement. If this occurs, avoid nose blowing. If bleeding continues please call for further instructions.
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 20 minutes on then 20 minutes off for up to 48 hours after surgery.Diet
Avoid chewing in the implant area. A soft or pureed diet will be more comfortable, but whatever you are comfortable eating is fine as long as you can avoid the implant site. If implants are not confined to one side of the mouth, a pureed diet is the only way to avoid trauma to the implant sites. The doctor will let you know when you can resume a normal diet.
Pain
You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, 1 or 2 Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 3-4 hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen, bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 2-3 tablets may be taken every 3-4 hours as needed for pain. 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
Do not rinse your mouth during the first 24 hours after your surgery. Rinsing can pull at the sutures, which can cause bleeding and delayed healing. After this 24 hour period you should rinse gently after eating and at bedtime to clean the wound. Warm, salty water or a prescribed oral rinse can be used. You should continue to rinse for a period of at least two weeks. You should carefully brush the other teeth, but take care to avoid the surgical site.
Activity
You must not drive for 24 hours after having IV sedation or general anesthesia. Keep physical activities to a minimum for at least one week. 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
Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding use of your removable denture. It should be avoided for at least a week in most cases.
Smoking
Smoking significantly decreases the success rate of implants. Avoiding this will help with the long term success of your implants.
113 Water Street
Milford, MA 01757
phone 508 473-7900
fax 508 473-7914
172 Main Street
Northborough, MA 01532
phone 508 393-1223
fax 508 393-3895