Home Care After Dental Implant Procedures
Following the placement of a dental implant, you may have some questions about what to expect and how to take care of the site.
Vitamin D
To optimize your implant result, we recommend you supplement with Vitamin D and K3. These vitamins help the bone surrounding the implant make the best seal against the implant. Minnesotans are often vitamin D deficit, especially during winter, and this state may decrease implant success.
Pain
Get ahead of your pain by taking the recommended pain medication within an hour of arriving home.
For moderate pain, a combination of Tylenol and Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) is typically enough to prevent significant discomfort. Most individuals fair well on 1 Extra Strength Tylenol and 2 Ibuprofen (200 mg) every 4 hours. You should not take Ibuprofen if you are pregnant or on any blood thinners.
For severe pain, we may prescribe pain medication that may make you groggy and slow down your reflexes. The prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not operate motor-vehicles or work around machinery while on this medication. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
Do Not take any of the above medication if you are allergic, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.
Pain after tooth extraction typically lasts 4-5 days. If the pain does not show signs of resolution after day 5, it may require attention, and we recommend you call our office.
Bleeding
A certain amount of bleeding is expected after surgery. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the salvia is common, and bleeding may look worse than it is when it mixes with saliva. Excessive bleeding is controlled with pressure and gauze in a firm bite. To minimize bleeding further, sit upright and avoid vigorous activity. If bleeding continues after several 30-minute bites on gauze, place a black tea bag over the extraction site and bite down. If bleeding still does not subside, call for further instructions.
Swelling
Swelling is a frequent occurrence after any surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag or frozen pea bag, wrapped in a towel to the cheek in the area of surgery. In intervals, apply the bag for 20 minutes, and then remove for 20 minutes.
Diet
We recommend you drink plenty of fluids, avoid hard food, and hot liquids 48 hours after surgery. Avoid crunchy foods such as nuts, chips, candy, carrots, and popcorn for one month after implant placement.
Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is an essential part of overall health. Please brush around the implant surgery site, but if stitches were placed, do not brush over the site for at least 4 days to allow for healing. Gently brushing your teeth and healing abutment after 4 day with a manual toothbrush is recommended. The day after surgery, if you were prescribed chlorhexidine rinse, it should be used twice daily.
Activity
We recommend you keep physical activities to a minimum 3-4 days. Keep in mind that if the surgery was extensive, you are likely not taking in normal nourishment. This may weaken you and limit your ability to exercise.