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Post-Op Instructions Following Implant Placement

  • DO apply ice to your face (20 minutes on/10 minutes off) for a total of 48 hours
  • DO drink ice water or use ice chips in your mouth for the first 24 hours
  • DO change your gauze every 20-30 minutes following surgery. Remove the gauze that was placed, replace it with a new piece out the packet you were given, fold into quarters, moisten it in cold water and gently bite down which will apply pressure on the surgical site. Continue this process for the first few hours or more if needed.
  • DO eat soft foods for about 1 week ( chewing away from the surgical area). Soft, cool, bland foods are recommended (ie. pasta, chicken, eggs, yogurt, ice cream). Foods that are hot or spicy may encourage bleeding. A void crunchy foods such as pretzels, crackers, chips which may irritate tissues surrounding the implant site.
  • DO sleep with head elevated for one- two nights following surgery.
  • DO gently rinse (not vigorously) with water after each meal to cleanse the surgical wound-you can use salt water or diluted Listerine or with Peridex.
  • DO NOT brush the surgical area  for 1 week or until instructed to do so. Using moist gauze to gently clean the area works best.
  • DO NOT chew hard foods in area of implant placement for the first 8 weeks-this is of critical importance!
  • DO NOT drink hot liquids for 24 hours following surgery (hot coffee/hot tea/hot soup)
  • DO NOT smoke for at least weeks following surgery it will significantly delay healing and may result in considerable post-operative pain.
  • DO NOT drink alcohol for one week following surgery.

BLEEDING:

You will see bleeding following surgery. If the bleeding continues, it may be stopped by continuing to apply pressure to area by gently biting on gauze soaked in cold water and wrung out. If these methods are not effective- please contact the office immediately.

SWELLING:

  • Cold pack for the first 48 hours.
  • If swelling is going to occur, it will peak 48-72 hours following the surgery, so it is often within normal limits to become more swollen after the first few days of implant placement.
  • If you are swollen after the first 48 hours, heat may be used on the area.
  • A moist heated towel or a hot water bottle  may be used in the area of swelling after 48 hours.
  • In some cases, bruising or restricted jaw movement may occur. Heat after the first 48 hours will help reduce these symptoms.

SUTURES:

  • Sutures will be present in your mouth following surgery.
  • Avoid the area of the sutures when brushing and eating
  • These will be removed in approximately 14 days following the surgery.

MEDICATIONS:

  • Use medications as prescribed.
  • You must follow carefully follow the prescribed regimen for antibiotics
  • If you have mild discomfort, take non-prescription medications that do not contain aspirin, such as Tylenol or Advil.

PLEASE NOTE:

FOR THOSE PATIENTS TAKING BISPHOSPHONATES- THESE MEDICATIONS APPEAR TO ADVERSELY AFFECT THE ABILITY OF BONE TO REMODEL ITSELF THEREBY REDUCING OR ELIMINATING ITS ORDINARY HEALING CAPACITY WHICH MAY RESULT IN OSTEONECROSIS. THIS RISK CAN INCREASE AFTER SURGERY THAT INVOLVES BONE, SUCH AS EXTRACTIONS OR PERIODONTAL SURGERY. OSTEONECROSIS OF THE JAW CAN OCCUR SPONTANEOUSLY AND MAY NOT BE RELATED TO ANY DENTAL TREATMENT RENDERED .

ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE AND YOU WILL BE IMMEDIATELY CONNECTED WITH DR CARPENTIERI.

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