5745 Erindale Drive, Suite 100 Colorado Springs, CO 80918

Oral Surgery Associates

DENTAL IMPLANTS POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS



BLEEDING

You may leave our office with gauze in your mouth. Keep firm pressure on it for 20-30 minutes. You will be given additional gauze, please use it in the same manner until bleeding stops (1-2 hours post-op). If bleeding persists, substitute a moist tea bag in place of the gauze for an additional 30 minutes. Bleeding should never be severe but expect some oozing for the duration of the day.

EXERCISE CARE

Do not disturb the surgical area by probing with objects or your fingers. Avoid spitting or rinsing vigorously. Please do not wear your dentures or partial until given permission to do so. Tomorrow you may resume your normal oral hygiene, brushing all areas well. Usually stitches that dissolve and fall out are used to close the surgical area. Depending on the type used, this may occur within the first week. AVOID SMOKING. Failure of an implant may result from smoking.

MOUTH RINSES

Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential. Begin using a warm water rinse or 1/4 teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8-ounce glass of warm water.  Gently rinse starting the day after surgery, 4-5 times a day, particularly after meals. Continue this for the next 5-7 days. Avoid using mouthwash or peroxide rinses.

SWELLING

Generally, placement of an implant does not result in much swelling. To minimize any swelling that may occur, apply an ice pack to the area 20 minutes on/ 20 minutes off. Symptoms of an infection are increased swelling, fever, chills, and/or drainage from the surgical site 5-7 days after surgery. Call our office if these occur.

DIET

You will be most comfortable with soft foods today. Chew on the side away from the surgical area. Avoid hard crunchy foods (nuts, sunflower seeds, popcorn, chips, etc.) for the next week. Gradually, as you feel comfortable, you may progress to your normal diet. Occasionally, the cover screw or healing abutment may loosen or fall out. This should not affect the stability of your implant. Simply keep the loosened component and call us as soon as possible for replacement.

PAIN

Begin taking prescription pain medication or Extra Strength Tylenol directly after the surgery and continue as needed for pain.  Alternate your pain medication with an anti-inflammatory (Advil, Motrin, or ibuprofen) every three hours. Continue the anti-inflammatory for the first week after surgery. (Example: Pain medication at 12:00 & 6:00; anti-inflammatory at 3:00 & 9:00). Do not take pain medication on an empty stomach or with alcohol.

Our goal is to make your recovery as smooth and pleasant as possible. Following these instructions will assist you. If you have any questions about your progress please call 719-473-2650.

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