After Placement of Dental Implants
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Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There may 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 can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. Try to limit talking or moving the jaws if bleeding is a problem. If bleeding continues please call for further instructions.
Swelling
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag, or a plastic bag, or towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, as much as possible, for the first 36 hours.
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 as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.
Pain
The best way to manage pain is to start the medicine before the discomfort starts. Non-narcotic medicines actually work the best for most people. These include ibuprofen/advil/motrin or Aleve. These medicines are called NSAIDs and you can even take them before surgery to maximize their effect. If you can not take these types of medication then you can use Tylenol. For moderate pain, 1 or 2 Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 3-4 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 4-6 hours as needed for pain. For severe pain, the prescribed narcotic medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.
Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. You MAY have been prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse to use. If you were given this prescription, using it the day before surgery, the morning before surgery and then several times a day for 3-5 days is best. 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) can also be used 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.
Activity
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery as throbbing or bleeding may occur. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise. Get back on your routine slowly as you feel up to it.
Wearing your Prosthesis
Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures can be worn after the surgery and please always bring them to each appointment so that Dr. McNeill can make sure that they do not interfere with the surgical site. Please let the office know if you feel your prosthesis hitting the implant site.
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