FIRST OF…
- Rest for the remainder of the day. Avoid strenuous activity or aerobic exercise for the next 3 days. Avoid exposure to the hot sun the first 3 days as well.
- Some discomfort may be present when anesthesia wears off. You have been given a prescription for an anti-inflammatory analgesic (NSAID), Motrin 800, unless otherwise prescribed. Please take one tablet every 8 hours for the first 3 days. This drug will greatly decrease the possibility of post-surgical swelling and pain and has been shown to accelerate healing. If you still experience severe pain after 3 days, please contact our office.
- If you were given an antibiotic, please finish the full course of antibiotic as directed.
- It is normal for some swelling to occur after implant and grafting procedures. To minimize swelling after surgery, apply an ice bag at the treated site–10 minutes on and 10 minutes off the day of the surgery. The peak of your swelling should be the afternoon the next day. The swelling should improve on the third day; however, if swelling worsens after the next day, please contact our office as we need to evaluate your condition.
FOLLOWED BY…
- Do not disturb or touch the sutured site with your tongue or finger. Do NOT pull on your lip or overexert your oral tissues in order to prevent tissues that were held together by the sutures from rupturing. If you notice the tissues over the surgical site have split open, please contact our office immediately so we can bring you in for evaluation.
- Do NOT spit or drink through a straw for one week.
- It is very important that you swallow your saliva when you leave our office. Swallowing saliva will stop the residual bleeding and speed healing.
- Do NOT smoke.
- Avoid chewing over the surgical site for the next week. Avoid temperature hot food/drinks and spicy food for the next week also.
- The day after your surgery, begin rinsing your mouth with warm salt and water 2-4 times daily – after brushing and after meals for one week (¼ teaspoon salt in a glass of warm water). Avoid using over-the-counter mouthwash for 2 weeks.
LASTLY…
- If you wear immediate denture, partial, or flipper, you must wear it for 24 hours after surgery and then remove it and begin salt water rinses. Wear your denture or partial as much as possible to reduce swelling from the surgical site.
- You may notice bruising or discoloration around the area that the dental implant was placed. This is normal postoperatively and can take several days to subside.
- It is not unusual to experience jaw tightness or limited mouth opening after oral surgery. This condition will improve and resolve over time.
- Absorbable sutures will dissolve on their own in 7-10 days. Non-absorbable sutures will need to be removed in 10 days. You will be instructed accordingly.