Post-Op Implant Placement

Numbing should wear off within a few hours. You may experience tenderness, mild, swelling, or bruising at the injection site.

For 2 days after surgery, drink liquids and eat soft foods such as milkshakes, eggnog, yogurt, cooked cereals, soups, mashed potatoes, ice cream, pudding, fruit smoothies, and protein shakes.
On day 3 after surgery, eat soft foods that do not require much chewing, such as mac and cheese, cooked noodles, soft-boiled, scrambled or poached eggs. Avoid tough or crunchy foods such as pizza, rice, popcorn, and hamburgers. Avoid spicy and acidic foods.
Most patients may resume their normal diet 7 days after surgery.

A low-grade fever is not uncommon after surgery. It is usually a sign of insufficient liquid intake. Please remember to drink enough clear liquids to keep your body hydrated.

After implant surgery, it is crucial that your surgical site remains clean. For the first 24 hours:

DO NOT rinse, spit or suck through a straw (suction will cause the clot to be pulled out resulting in dry socket).
DO NOT drink alcohol or use mouth rinses containing alcohol.
DO NOT SMOKE FOR 5 DAYS AFTER SURGERY Nicotine will keep tissue growth from occurring and will result in increased discomfort.
AVOID exercise or heavy lifting – we want to eliminate all stress, clenching your teeth can cause pressure to your surgical site.
Swelling may occur; ice packs can be used in 15- minute intervals for the first 6 hours to reduce swelling.
To prevent or slow excessive bleeding, bite with light pressure on the gauze that has been placed over the implant site, changing the gauze every 15 minutes or as needed for up to 90 minutes after leaving the office. You should wet the gauze and squeeze excess water out of it before placing it over the implant site
Place a folded towel over you pillow in case of any bleeding while sleeping.
If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, or continued swelling 3 to 4 days after surgery please contact our office for a short appointment to check implant site
If sutures (stitches) were placed, they will dissolve on their own after a couple of days. If they partially dissolve and are moving around excessively because they are not tied down anymore feel free to gently grab a loose end and remove them.

Medicines to control pain and prevent infection will be prescribed for you. It is very important that you that all the medicines as recommended by your doctor.
Start taking your pain medicine before the numbness wears off. Continue to take it asprescribed.
The dose for pain medicine is usually 400 mg to 800 mg ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or generic) every 6 hours. If you have an allergy or sensitivity to ibuprofen or have been told not to use it, you may take up to 1,000 mg acetaminophen (Tylenol or generic) every 6 hours
Follow the pain medicine instructions your doctor gave you. If we believe you may have more severe pain, we will prescribe a strong pain medicine which you will need to buy at a pharmacy.

Begin your normal hygiene routine the day after surgery
Soreness and swelling may not permit vigorous brushing of all areas, but please make every effort to clean your teeth within the bounds of comfort.
If you use an electric toothbrush, feel free to use it just as you would a manual toothbrush.
Brush very gently around the surgical site being careful not to loosen or remove the stitches.
- If you were given an irrigation syringe, start using it the 5th day after surgery to keep sockets clean. Mix 1 teaspoon of salt dissolved in a tall glass of warm water.
- Fill the syringe with warm saltwater and irrigate any open sockets gently, especially after eating.

Normal healing after surgery should be as follows

The first 3 days of surgery are usually the most uncomfortable and there is some degree of swelling and stiffness.
From the 3rd day on, gradual, steady movements should mark the remainder of your recovery course.
If there is a noticeable, distinct, persistent throbbing pain in the jaw that arises after the 4th day, please call our office. We would like the opportunity to help alleviate any discomfort.

If you’re in Durham or surrounding areas, please call our office at 919-439-8999 to get more information about Dental Implants in Durham.