Post-Op Instructions for Implants

A dental implant has been placed in your mouth. The implant may be located above or below the tissue. This type of implant has been selected for your particular situation because of the bone available to place an implant. The implant will usually take a period of one to four months to heal; depending upon your body’s healing properties and the type of implant surgery.

If sutures were placed around your implant, they will be removed and checked by your doctor in one to two weeks.

Usually you are able to wear your present partial or flipper, if applicable. Sometimes it is necessary to leave it in the night of the surgery. It is important to keep the appliance as clean as possible during the healing period. Please ask the doctor if you have any questions.

Every consideration must be given to keep the surgical site clean and free of food particles.

Instructions for mouth care and other helpful information:

NO SMOKING! Smoking is to be avoided for the time specified by the doctor. Smoking increases the heat in the surgical site and significantly lowers the body’s ability to heal the site.

AVOID these after surgery: alcohol with post operative medications, commercial mouth rinses and very hot fluids.

Gentle rinsing of the mouth should be started the day after surgery. Frequent gentle rinsing with lukewarm salt water will aid the healing process (add one half teaspoon of salt to a 6oz glass of water). Avoid the use of a water-pik tooth brush. 

Pain: A certain amount of pain must be expected with all types of surgery. An appropriate pain medication has been prescribed for you. Please take it according to the directions. It is advised that you do not drive while taking the pain prescription. However, if only Ibuprofen or Tylenol is needed, most people are able to drive without a problem.

Swelling: Some swelling and minimal bruising is possible and is to be expected. IT IS NOT UNUSUAL. In most cases, swelling can be prevented/controlled. Apply an ice pack for a period of 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off during the day for the next two days. The application of ice to the outside of the face over the surgical area will minimize swelling. If after five days you still have unusual swelling or pain, please call the office. 

Bleeding: A small amount of bleeding following surgery should not alarm you. If the bleeding is excessive or continuous, please call us at once. 

Vigorous rinsing of the mouth prolongs bleeding by removing the clotting blood, so when rinsing your mouth, do it gently.

NO drinking through straws. The use of a straw creates negative pressure in your mouth and will tend to loosen the sutures.

Diet: Following surgery it is best to restrict your diet to fluids and soft foods for the first day. Normal diet may then be resumed the following day, but you will want to avoid chewing on the implant site until the tissue is completely healed. Soft foods such as Jell-O, pudding, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs and soups are suggested. If you have difficulty chewing, try blenderized foods or diet supplements such as Carnation Instant breakfast and Ensure.

Implant Follow-Up: We will see you for the periodic check-ups until the implant has healed. This is usually for a period of one to four months, depending on your implant surgery.

Please call if you have any questions or concerns. 817-510-2960

After hours: 682-228-9088

Instrucciones Para Despues de un Implante

Un implante dental ha sido puesto en su boca. El implante puede estar colocado sobre o debajo de el tejido. Este tipo de implante a sido seleccionado particularmente para su situacion. El implante usualmente toma un periodo de 3-6 meses para curarse dependiendo como su cuerpo reaccione y el tipo de implante. 

Si puntos han sido puestos alrededor del implante, seran removidos por su doctor entre 1-2 semanas. 

Usualmente usted puede continuar usando su parcial o “flipper” si aplica. Aveces es necesario dejarlo en la noche de la cirugia. Es importante mantener sus accesorios lo mas limpio posible durante el proceso de curacion. 

Toda precaucion deberia ser tomada para mantener el area de la cirugia limpia y libre de particulas de comida. 

Instrucciones: 

NO FUMAR! Fumar debe ser evitado en el tiempo espesificado por el doctor. Fumar aumenta calor en el area de la cirugia y disminuye la habilidad de curamiento. 

EVITE alcohol con medicamentos post operativos, enjuagadores bucales y liquidos muy calientes. 

Frequentes enjuages con agua tibia y sal al siguiente dia puede ser usado. Evite usar “water-pik tooth brushes.” 

Dolor: Cierta cantidad de dolor debe esperarse con todo tipo de cirugia. Medicamento para el dolor apropiado ha sido prescrito para usted, por favor tomeselas conforme a las instrucciones. Es aconsejado que no maneje mientras esta tomando el medicamento para el dolor. Sin embargo, si solamente Ibuprofen o Tylenol es necesario, la mayoria de las personas pueden manejar sin ningun problema. 

Hinchazon: Se puede esperar algo de hinchazon y moretones minimos aunque no es usual. En la mayoria de los casos inflamacion puede ser controlada/prevenida. Aplique una bolsa de hielo por 15 minutos y remuevalos por otras 15 durante el primero y tercer dia. Si despues de 5 dias sigue teniendo hinchazon por favor llame a nuestra oficina. 

Sangrado: Una pequeña cantidad de sangre despues de la cirugia no debe alarmarlo. Si el sangrado es excesivo o continuo, por favor llamenos de inmediato. 

Enjuague vigoroso de su boca puede remover el cuagulo de sangre, entonces cuando enjuague su boca hagalo gentilmente. 

NO use popotes (sorbertos), esto puede crear presion negativa en su boca y tiende a soltar la sutura. 

Dieta: Despues de la cirugia es recomendable tener una dieta de liquidos y comidas suaves por el primer dia. Pero no use el area del implante hasta que el tejido este completamente curado. 

Despues del implante: Lo veremos periodicamente hasta que el implante haya sido curado. Esto usualmente puede ser un periodo de 1-4 meses. 

Por favor llame si tiene alguna preguna: 817-510-2960 

Despues de Horas: 682-228-9088