Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There will be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue, in some instances.
Bleeding
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills up rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, please call for further instructions.
Swelling
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag, or a plastic bag, or towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, for the first 24 hours.
Diet
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food. Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.
Pain
You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For mild to moderate pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Please be aware that many prescription pain medications contain Tylenol (Acetaminophen). You can easily take too much Tylenol by using Tylenol and the prescription pain medication at the same time.`
Antibiotics
If prescribed, be sure to take the antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.
Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. If prescribed, use Peridex Oral Rinse twice daily. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. Warm salt-water rinses (1/4 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least four to five times a day, as well, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth with the healing abutments is not a problem. Be gentle initially when brushing the surgical areas.
Activity
Implant placement is usually a well-tolerated procedure. Usual activity can normally be resumed within 1-2 days.
Wearing Your Prosthesis
Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures may be used immediately after surgery. The prosthesis may require some adjustment which may make immediate placement not possible.