Dental Implants

Dental Implants

BEFORE YOUR DENTAL IMPLANT SURGERY

To prepare for your implant surgery and ensure your comfort and the best possible result, please follow the recommendations of your oral surgeon:


Medication

Inform your surgeon of any medications or natural products you are taking.
If you have been prescribed antibiotics, take them according to the instructions.
Women who are using birth control pills and taking antibiotics, are advised to use an additional method of birth control as antibiotics will lessen the effectiveness of the oral contraceptives.
Do not use aspirin or tablets containing aspirin during the week before your surgery.
If you will be receiving intravenous medication or “sedation” to help you relax and ease any discomfort.
You should not eat or drink any fluids for at least 6 hours before your appointment.
If your surgeon has asked you to take medication before your surgery, take it with a small quantity of water one hour before your appointment.
DO NOT take any other medications on the day of your surgery without first consulting with your surgeon.

Dress

Wear loose-fitting clothing to make you more comfortable. Short sleeve shirts or blouses are preferred.

Transportation

Plan to have a responsible adult accompany and drive you home, as you should not drive for 12-24 hours following your implant surgery.


AFTER YOUR DENTAL IMPLANT SURGERY

Immediately following your implant surgery, you may rest for short while in the office and then return home. If you have received a medication to make you sleepy you must not drive for 12 to 24 hours afterwards. You should bring someone with you to take you home. Please follow the instructions below regarding what to eat and how to care for your mouth after the procedure:


Medication

Take the antibiotics and pain medication as prescribed. Antibiotics are not routinely given and their use is limited to particular situations. Please follow the instructions given on the bottle carefully. Start you pain medication as soon as you return home before the freezing completely wears off. If your surgeon anticipates that you will experience a significant amount of discomfort after a surgery, he will recommend that you take the pain medication at regular 6-hour intervals regardless of whether you are in discomfort for the first 24 hours. After this time, you should take pain medication as needed.
Some pain medication will make your feel sleepy, so it is advised that you do not drive or operate machinery.

Head position

If possible, use an extra pillow for the first two nights after your surgery to help reduce swelling.

Bleeding

You can expect some bleeding in the 24-48 hours after you surgery. Place gauze squares folded in four on the bleeding area and bite down, applying firm pressure for 20 minutes. Avoid splitting as this may promote bleeding.

Swelling

After implant surgery, there is often swelling of the face and at times, bruising of the skin. Be assured that this is a normal part of the recovery process.
Hold an ice pack to your face (30 minutes on and 30 minutes off) for the first 48 hours to reduce the swelling. You can expect the swelling be greatest within 24-48 hours after surgery. Swelling can last for 7-10 days. If the swelling disappears and then returns a few days later, please contact your surgeon immediately. This may be an indication of an infection.


Nutrition

Eat a light diet including soft foods such as yogurt, soup, milk products and Jell-O for the first few days.
Avoid hot food and do not use a straw as this may lead to bleeding.
After you get home on the day of your dental implant surgery, it is essential that you drink a lot of fluids. Take a sip of any non-alcoholic beverage every 15-20 minutes. Examples of appropriate fluid include dairy products, fruit or vegetable juices and mineral water.

Smoking

Please refrain from smoking as it is known to diminish your capacity for healing by decreasing the blood supply to the surgical site. Smoking may increase your risk for the development of an infection or implant failure.

Hygiene

Optimal healing after your implant surgery requires that you keep your teeth and mouth clean. This also diminishes the chance of infection.
You may brush your teeth as usual EXCEPT the area of the implant surgery. You will be instructed to use a special mouth wash to keep healing area clean. Brushing of an implant surgery site within the first week of surgery may induce bleeding and discomfort. Avoid commercial mouthwashes as they contain alcohol and can irritate the surgical site.
Gentle toothbrushing of the teeth and surgical site can be resumed within 7-10 days after surgery using a soft brush.
Starting the day after surgery, a salt water rinse (1 teaspoon of salt in one glass of warm water) should be used after meals and before bedtime.

Pressure

Try not to put pressure on your jaw to avoid discomfort.


Stitches

Dissolving stitches are used for most operations. These normally begin to fall out after three to four days. In some cases non-dissolving sutures are needed and these must be removed within 10 to 14 days.

Dentures or Prosthesis

It is important that you do not wear your old dentures or temporary prosthesis until your surgeon advises you to do so. They may require adjustment or relining. If they are inserted too early this could interfere with the healing process.

Activity

Normally, light physical activity (jogging, aerobic exercise) can be resumed 48-72 hours after implant surgery.
Please consult with your oral surgeon before resuming contact sports.