Post Operative Surgical Care for Dental Implants

Dental implants replace teeth lost from injury, decay or gum disease. During the dental implant procedure, a dentist places a titanium post into the jawbone while the patient is numbed with local anesthetic or sleeping under sedation or general anesthesia. After placement of the titanium posts, the dentist places a cosmetic restoration that looks like a natural tooth and stays in place long-term. After dental implant surgery, follow care guidelines from your dentist to avoid complications.

Dental Implant Aftercare

• If you will be under sedation, plan to have someone drive you home after the dental implant surgery. Local anesthesia wears off about three or four hours after the procedure. While you are still numb, avoid vigorous chewing and drinking hot drinks so that you don't accidentally injure your mouth or tongue. Eat soft foods such as yogurt, soup, and pudding for the first few days after the surgery.

  The dentist will place a surgical dressing over the implant site during the surgery. Leave the surgical dressing in place as directed for about two weeks until your follow-up appointment. If you wear dentures, the dentist will direct how the dentures should be worn for the first few weeks to avoid pushing on the implant site.

  Apply an ice pack or package of frozen peas to the implant area for the first few days after dental implant surgery to help alleviate swelling. Take over-the-counter pain medicine or the pain medicine your doctor has prescribed as directed and as needed. If you doctor prescribes antibiotics, take all of them as directed to minimize your risk of infection. Try to eat some soft foods before taking medicine to avoid stomach upset.

  Avoid trauma to the dental implant site for a few weeks. Don't push the implant with your tongue, pick the implant with a toothpick or brush the implant site until cleared by your dentist. Continue to take care with what you eat, even once you begin eating more solids. For a few weeks, you will not be able to eat very chewy or hard foods, such as tough meat or crusty bread. Avoid spicy or acidic foods like chili or orange juice for the first few weeks. Do not drink alcohol or smoke for at least two weeks after dental implant surgery.

  Your dentist may schedule three or four checkups in the first year after your dental implant surgery to check your jawbone and the fit and health of the implant. After the first year, see your doctor for follow-up treatments, cleanings and checkups as recommended. Maintain your oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly once cleared by your dentist.