DENTAL IMPLANTS
Pre-Operative General Instructions
- Fill all prescribed medication at least 24 hours prior to surgery. If you have misplaced your prescriptions contact the office immediately. Please allow 24 hours for prescriptions to be called in to your pharmacy.
- Please remember to take your antibiotic 1 hour prior to surgery (if instructed to do so). Follow the instructions on the label. If you have any questions, please contact the office.
- Routine medications can be taken, but please confirm this with the doctor prior to your surgery day. If you are taking medications, please bring the prescription bottles with you.
- If your health changes or your develop a cold, flu, or any other ailment during the week before surgery, please notify us immediately.
- Please do not wear contact lenses, make up or nail polish on the day of surgery. Wear loose fitting clothes, short sleeve shirt with an open neck.
- Please notify us immediately if you suspect that you are pregnant.
- Consult with your medication specialist for more instructions. Click here for medication instructions.
Pre-Operative Instructions for IV and Oral Sedation
- For IV Sedation Patients ONLY: Please DO NOT eat or drink anything 6 hours before your scheduled surgery time. You may take your prescribed antibiotics with up to ½ glass of water.
- For Oral Sedation Patients ONLY: Please bring the prescribed sedative in the prescription bottle. DO NOT take the medication until instructed by the clinical staff.
- You must have someone drive you to and from the office. Please have your driver remain in the office while you are undergoing treatment.
- Your judgment and reflexes may be impaired following sedation or anesthetic. Although you may feel fully alert, you should not operate a vehicle, power tools, or any machinery for 24 hours following your procedure.
- Make arrangements for an adult to be present with you the remainder of the day.
AFTER PLACEMENT OF DENTAL IMPLANTS
Do not disturb the wound. Avoid spitting or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There will be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.
Bleeding
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 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, please call for further instructions.
Diet
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids/foods and spicy food. Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery and 2-3 days following. Return to a normal diet 3-4 days after procedure, unless otherwise directed. Do not bite into anything hard in the area of the implant during the entire healing process.
Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The day after surgery, Periosciences oral rinse should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then expectorate. Warm salt-water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least four to five times a day, as well, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth with the healing abutment is not a problem; avoid using an electric toothbrush over the healing abutment. Be gentle initially when brushing the surgical areas. Starting post-op day 3, stop using Periosciences oral rinse and begin using a Q-Tip dipped in Periosciences oral rinse to keep the healing abutment clean. Please make sure to clean around the area in a clockwise direction. Otherwise, the healing abutment may loosen or fall off. If this happens, call the office immediately.
Activity
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. 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
You may wear your prosthesis after it is adjusted by your Dentist or Oral Surgeon. A temporary prosthesis is only for aesthetics and should NOT be used for any kind of chewing.
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 continuously, as often as possible, for the first 24 hours.
HOT APPLICATIONS: You may apply warm compresses to the skin over the areas of swelling (hot water bottle, hot moist towels, heating pad) for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off to help soothe tender areas. This will also help decrease swelling and stiffness.
HEALING: Normal healing after tooth extraction should be as follows: The first two days after surgery are generally the most uncomfortable and there is usually some swelling. On the third day you should be more comfortable, although still swollen, can usually begin a more substantial diet. The remainder of the post-operative course should be gradual, steady improvement. If you don’t see continued improvement, please call our office.
Pain
You should begin taking pain medication before you feel the local anesthetic wearing off, approximately 60 minutes after procedure. For pain, take the Motrin (Ibuprofen) and prescribed pain medications as directed. DO NOT exceed 4,000mg of Tylenol and 2,400mg of Motrin/Ibuprofen within a 24 hour period.
Antibiotics
Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection
Smoking
Do not smoke for at least two weeks after surgery, if at all. As discussed at your consultation, smoking dramatically increases the risks of bone graft and implant failure.
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