Surgical Instructions

Implant Post Operative Instructions

  1. If the patient was sedated for the surgery, a responsible adult must accompany him/her home and stay for the remainder of the day. Sedated patients are at risk for falling. Avoid standing or shifting positions too quickly. Local anesthesia will be present for 1-4 hours. To avoid injury, do not bite or pinch your lip or tongue until the numbness wears off.

  2. BLEEDING: Maintain gentle biting pressure on the gauze packing for 30-60 minutes after surgery. Some bleeding or "oozing" is normal for the first 24 hours. Do not be alarmed. If excessive bleeding persists longer than a few hours, please contact the office for further instructions.

  3. MEDICATIONS / PRESCRIPTIONS: You can expect to experience discomfort following surgery. Mild-to-moderate pain can be relieved by non-prescription pain medication such as Advil or Ibuprofen. For severe pain, use the prescription that is given to you by your doctor. Pain medication should be taken before the local anesthesia wears off.
    • Take all medications as prescribed.
    • Do not take pain medications on an empty stomach (1 cup of clear liquid should be taken before medications are given.)
    • Do not mix medications with alcoholic beverages.
    • While taking narcotic pain medication that may make you sleepy, it is very important to avoid driving a vehicle or operating any heavy machinery.
    • IMPORTANT: If an antibiotic is prescribed, all female patients utilize birth control pills must be advised that you need to use an alternative method of birth control during this time.

  4. SWELLING Swelling is normal and usually peaks at about 48–72 hours after surgery.
    • Apply an ice pack for the first 24 hours after surgery (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off).
    • After 24 hours, moist heat can be applied to help decrease stiffness soreness in the jaw or face.

  5. BRUISING: Bruising may be present in varying degrees. It will subside over a period of 5-14 days.

  6. BRUSHING AND RINSING: Do not brush, rinse or spit for the first 24 hours. After that, use a warm salt-water rinse following meals and before bedtime (1 teaspoon of salt in an 8 oz. glass of warm water). Continue to do so over the next few weeks. If Chlorhexidine (an antibiotic rinse) is given, use that in place of salt-water and follow the directions on the bottle.

  7. DIET: Diet may consist of soft foods that can be easily chewed and swallowed. Avoid hot-temperature foods until the numbness subsides. Avoid hot and spicy foods, seeds, nuts popcorn, etc. Avoid using a straw for 24 hours; doing so may dislodge the blood clot and delay healing. Supplements such as Ensure or Carnation Instant Breakfast provide excellent added nutrition. Advance diet as tolerated.

  8. SUTURES: Sutures may have been placed to promote healing. If sutures have been placed, they will dissolve or fall out on their own within 7–14 days, or they will be removed at the appropriate post-operative appointment.

  9. SMOKING: Smoking is detrimental to healing. Do not smoke or use smokeless tobacco for several days to decrease the chance of delayed healing and infection.