After Placement of Dental Implants

Please follow these instructions after the placement of your dental implants. Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, 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.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery, but is typically very minimal after implant placement. Most patients do not require any special measures to treat swelling after implant surgery. Dr. Heggland prefers that you not place ice on an area with an implant or bone graft.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food. Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet gradually, usually within one week, unless otherwise directed.

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication before you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. Dr. Heggland and the surgical team will go over detailed instructions on how to use your prescriptions for pain relief, and the instructions will be printed on the bottles from the pharmacy as well.

Antibiotics

Be sure to take any prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The night of surgery, use the prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse before bed. The day after surgery, the Peridex should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. Warm salt water rinses (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day, as well, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments is no problem. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas, expect to see minor (drops) bleeding with toothbrushing the area, but do not let this stop you. You can not hurt yourself with a toothbrush, you can hurt yourself by not keeping the surgical site clean.

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. In general, patients return to normal activities in a few days.

Wearing your Prosthesis

Partial dentures, “flippers,” or full dentures should only be used immediately after surgery if approved by Dr. Heggland. He will discuss this with you at your consultation and treatment planning visit.

If you think you may be having any issues with your post-procedure healing process please call our office at Frisco Office Phone Number (970) 668-1314.