What to Expect:

Pain A certain amount of discomfort is to be expected after surgery. Fill and take the medication as prescribed before the anesthetic has worn off to avoid pain. If you are taking Tynenol #3, it is important to avoid driving or handling heavy equipment as the medication will make you drowsy.

Swelling A certain amount of swelling is to be expected, reaching a maximum at 2 to3 days, then slowly subsiding. Swelling is often accompanied by stiffness of the jaw and you may be unable to open properly. You may be able to limit the swelling by applying a bag of ice for 20 min, removing for 20 min and repeating for 6 hours.

Bleeding It is normal to see a small amount if oozing from the site of surgery. Bite hard on the gauze in your mouth for thirty minutes, then replace with a fresh piece and keep the area covered for another 2 hours. If there is a continued trickle of blood, then the blood clot has most likely become dislodged. Simply take a fresh piece of gauze, fold twice, place on surgical site and bite down hard for 30 minutes. The tannins in tea leaves are a natural coagulant.

What to Avoid:

Rinsing and Spitting Both rinsing and spitting create pressure in your mouth that can dislodge the developing blood clot, causing you to bleed. You may rinse VERY gently the first night after brushing. On the second day, you may take half a teaspoon of salt mixed in warm water.

Hard/Hot Foods A soft diet is recommended, preferably lukewarm soups. Hard foods can traumatize the surgical area and heat will dissolve the blood clot, both of which will result in continued bleeding.

Smoking and Alcohol Smoking increases the risk of infection, and alcohol can precipitate bleeding.

Excessive Physical Activity Too much physical activity can cause pain and bleeding. Avoid for the first couple of days.

What to Expect:

Pain, Swelling, Bleeding Most patients report minimal discomfort after implant surgery and often stop taking pain medications the next day. There should be minimal swelling and bleeding if the medications prescribed are taken as instructed

Sutures There will be sutures placed around the implant. The sutures should fall out on their own in 1-2 weeks. However if they are still present after 3 weeks, it is important to have them removed as they can lead to an increased risk of infection. 

Post-op Medications

You may be prescribed medications after your surgery. It is important to follow the instructions in order to maximize successful healing of the implant.

Amoxicillin This is an antibiotic. It will prevent the risk of infection around the implant.

Peridex This is an antibacterial rinse which will reduce the risk of infection.
*Begin rinsing 3 days after surgery to give the gums some time to heal.

Dexamethasone This is a steroid and is also used to minimize swelling around the implant.

Ibuprofen This medication will help reduce the swelling which occurs after surgery. It will also help with pain management.

Tynenol 3 This is a pain management medication. It should only be used when resting or sleeping, as it will make you drowsy.

What to Avoid

Pressure on the Implant Excessive and prolonged pressure on an implant will prevent the bone repair around the implant and can lead to implant failure. Avoid touching the area around the implant while eating, brushing your teeth or with your tongue until the gum tissue is healed.  (3-4 weeks)

Rising and Spitting Rinsing and spitting create pressure in your mouth that can dislodge the developing blood clot and loosen the sutures closing the surgical site. You may rinse VERY gently the first night after brushing, making sure to avoid bruising the area around the implant.

Hot and hard foods A soft diet is recommended. (e.g.; lukewarm soups, eggs, mashed potatoes). Hard food such as chips and nuts can traumatize the surgical area. The heat from hot foods will dissolve the blood clot which will result in continued bleeding.

Smoking and drink alcohol Smoking increases the risk of infection and alcohol can precipitate bleeding

Excessive physical activity Physical activity increases blood pressure can cause pain and bleeding. Avoid physical activities for the first 2-3 weeks.