Post Op Instructions: Implant
Congratulations on finishing the first stage of your implant treatment. Now it is time to begin the healing process. Please know that some discomfort, swelling and bruising is normal. Every patient is different and there is no way to predict if you will experience any of these symptoms.
When to call us
It is normal to experience some discomfort for several days after placement of an implant, but call us right away if you have:
- Pain or swelling that increases or continues beyond two or three days
- A reaction to the medication
- Any signs of infection
Follow these instructions carefully to ensure the success of your implant:
- Do not eat or drink anything until the anesthetic has worn off.
- Avoid hot or spicy foods for 24 hours.
- Don’t spit and don’t suck on candies or through a straw for 24 hours.
- Don’t rinse your mouth with mouth rinses containing alcohol.
- Don’t smoke or use tobacco. Avoid tobacco for at least 72 hours because it slows healing.
- Drinking alcoholic beverages will slow down the healing process.
- Chew on the opposite side of the treated area until it is comfortable to chew normally.
- Brush and floss the treated area gently for the 24 hours after treatment. Over the next week, gradually increase the pressure of your brushing and flossing until you resume normal pressure.
- Some minor discomfort in the area is normal following implant treatment. Sometimes, depending on circumstances, the treated area may remain sore for a few weeks post treatment. The three most common reasons for pain are:
- Sore jaw joint from having your mouth open for a prolonged time.
- Sore muscle from the injection site.
- Soreness at the insertion point of the implant.
For soreness or swelling:
Reduce soreness or swelling by applying moist heat. Swelling usually starts to go down after 48 hours.
Further reduce swelling by rinsing your mouth very gently with warm salt water. Use about one teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water.
For pain management:
To control discomfort, take pain medication before the anesthetic has worn off or as recommended. If you were not prescribed a pain medication by us but are experiencing pain after your appointment, we recommend taking over the counter pain medication. We recommend combining two Ibuprofens (such as Motrin) with two Acetaminophens (such as Tylenol).
