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Post-Op Instructions Video

ACTIVITY

  • Avoid all strenuous activities for the first 24 to 48 hours after your implant placement.
  • Avoid touching and keep tongue away from the implant site.
  • While resting keep your head elevated with two pillows.
  • Remove gauze when eating or drinking.

DIET

  • Do not drink through a straw for the first 24 hours after your dental implant placement.
  • A complete and nutritious diet is extremely important for excellent healing.
  • Keep yourself well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids (Water, sports drinks, etc.)
  • Avoid acidic and carbonated beverages for the first 24 hours after you surgery.
  • Avoid hot (temperature) foods, as this will encourage excess bleeding and may burn your mouth while you are numb.
  • Eat a soft diet (Mashed potato consistency) for the first 48 hours and then advance your diet as tolerated.
  • Avoid excessive biting force and chewing at the implant site.
  • Take special precaution to avoid foods that are notorious for getting stuck between teeth (Popcorn, Pretzels, Chips, Poppy seeds, Sesame seeds, seeded fruit, etc.)

BLEEDING

  • Bleeding following your treatment is to be expected.
  • A gauze pad has been placed over the surgical site to assist in stopping any bleeding.
  • Keep gauze pad in place with gentle biting pressure, changing the gauze pad every hour until the bleeding stops.
  • Avoid checking too frequently as this will prevent the blood clot to form properly.
  • Some mild oozing may be expected for the first 24 to 48 hours.
  • If the above means do not control the bleeding in the first four hours, then moisten a tea bag with water and place it over the implant site with gentle biting pressure. The Tannic acid in the tea helps promote blood clotting.
  • If bleeding continues to be a problem please contact the office for further assistance.

PAIN

  • Placement of dental implants usually does not create a great deal of pain.
  • Please consume your pain medication as prescribed or as directed by your doctor.
  • Please contact our office if your pain is not adequately controlled with the regiment prescribed.

SWELLING

  • Mild to moderate swelling is expected after dental implant placement.
  • Maximum swelling occurs within the first 48 to 72 hours after implant placement.
  • To minimize the swelling apply an ice pack half an hour on then half an hour off for the first 48 hours.

MEDICATIONS

  • Post-operative pain will be most noticeable the first day after surgery.
  • Take prescribed medications as directed.
  • It is most beneficial to take your pain medication before your numbness wears off.
  • Do not take pain medication on an empty stomach as it may cause nausea.
  • Pain medication should be taken with food or milk products.
  • Do not consume alcohol or drive when taking prescribed pain medication.
  • Please avoid any activity that requires your full attention when taking narcotic pain medication.
  • Take your antibiotics as directed and until it is finished.
  • Take any regularly scheduled medication (for diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) on your regular schedule unless advised to do otherwise.

ORAL HYGIENE

  • Do not rinse or spit during the first 24 hours after surgery.
  • The day following surgery brush your teeth with a soft tooth brush and avoid the area of implant placement.
  • Rinse with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoonful of salt dissolved in a glass of water) after each meal and as needed to avoid food entrapment in the area of surgery.
  • Dissolvable sutures may loosen with brushing and minimal bleeding may occur.
  • If a one stage/immediate implant was placed (you can actually see the metal post protruding from the gum tissue), it can be cleaned with a Q-tip dipped in Listerine or any other antimicrobial mouth rinse.

AVOID SMOKING COMPLETELY.

SINUS PRECAUTIONS
If the sinus is involved during your surgery, please follow the instructions below:

  • No nose blowing for one week. (You maybe placed on nasal spray to keep your nasal passages clear)
  • Sneeze with your mouth open.
  • Avoid wind instruments for at least one week.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Trismus (Spasm/stiffness of the muscles of the jaw) may cause difficulty in opening your mouth for a period of days. Anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen 400 mg to 800 mg every 8 hours (unless there are contraindications with medication such as blood thinners) and moist heat compresses to the jaw(s) can minimize this condition.

There may be a slight elevation of temperature for 24-48 hours. If the fever persists please contact our office.

Sutures used during surgery usually dissolve in 7-10 days. If they dissolve early do not be alarmed.

Your doctors are available 24 hours a day for post-operative emergencies.

Please call 911 immediately for any life threatening emergency.

213 Reeceville Road, Suite 11, Coatesville, PA 19320 - 610.383.7600 || 25 Dowlin Forge Road, Exton, PA 19341 - 610.363.7000

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