After Placement of Dental Implants

Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery.

Bleeding

Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24-48 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes to 1 hour.   Bleeding may also be controlled by using a moistened black tea bag for 30 minutes.  The tea bag will release Tannic Acid helping to form a clot by contracting the blood vessels.  If bleeding continues profusely, please call for further instructions.

Swelling

Facial swelling and/or bruising is  normal after surgery, the most swelling is in the first 3-4 days. To minimize swelling apply an ice bag, frozen peas or corn works well, or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice, on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, 20 minutes on 20 minutes off (rotating one side to the other is best), as much as possible, for the first 24 hours.  After the first 24 hours, begin to apply warm moist compresses (use a wash cloth or hand towel moistened with warm water).  You may use the heat as much as you wish to aid in the swelling and stiff muscle recovery process. Rest with the head elevated by extra pillows to minimize swelling.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids (DO NOT use a straw for 1 week). Avoid hot liquids or foods that must be chewed while you are still numb.  Soft foods that can be easily swallowed with no chewing are preferred while numb, (i.e. ice cream, yogurt, pudding, mashed potatoes, applesauce, etc).  Avoid hard and crunchy foods for one week, then you can return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication with food as soon as you fill your prescriptions or pick up any over-the-counter medications.  You will only be numb for short time, so it is urgent that you start taking your pain medication ASAP.  For mild pain, 1 or 2 Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 4 hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 2-3 tablets may be taken every 6-8 hours as needed for pain. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic to them, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.

Antibiotics

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

Keeping the Mouth Clean

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. NO brushing your teeth or rinsing the day of surgery.  Doing so could prevent proper clotting of the surgical site.  The day after your surgery, use the Peridex twice daily; after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 2 minutes then spit it out. Warm salt water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day as well, especially after meals. The day after surgery, brush your teeth, and be gentle initially while brushing the surgical areas.

Smoking

In all cases smoking is discouraged.  In the event you are a smoker, it is our recommendation that you stop for 7-10 days to allow for proper healing.  Smoking will slow the healing process and in some cases cause complications.

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking in normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.

Wearing your Prosthesis

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures, should be used after surgery as discussed in the pre-operative consultation.

AFTER HOURS – EMERGENCY PROCEDURE

Any issue that you think is life threatening call 911

If you have questions for Dr. Kasper regarding proper healing, medications or peace of mind:  Call Clinton Township Phone Number 586-226-2801 and choose option 7 in the automated system.  You will then be able to leave a personal voicemail, and the on call surgeon will call you back.  Be sure to leave your phone number!