The Dental Implant Journey: Post-Surgical Home Care
Post-Surgical Discomfort
Managing post-surgical implant discomfort
Discomfort related to the implant procedure varies, with most people reporting no major discomfort other than some sense of pressure on the site. However, when tooth extraction and bone graft is combined with implant surgery, the discomfort increases. Common side effect immediately after surgery include pain, swelling, infection, bruising, jaw ache, muscle sore around the jaw or stiff neck. Most side effect start to improve after 72 hours post-surgery and subsidize after 2-3 weeks. Swelling and bruising can be controlled by apply an ice pack on the area alternating 20 minutes on and off, 4-6 times each day during the first 3 days, and switch to warm pack alternating 20 minutes on and off, 4-6 times each day for another week.
Post-Surgery Instructions
How to care for the surgical site after implant surgery
Take the antibiotics prescription as per the instruction.
Take pain medication as needed.
Wear the retainer you are given every day when you sleep.
Keep fingers and tongue away from the operated area.
Do not smoke, spit, suck on a straw or consume alcohol in the 24 hours after the surgery.
Starting the day after the surgery, gently bathe the area with warm salt water for 30 seconds and spit it out, 3 times a day for 2 weeks.
Brush your other teeth as normal, but do not brush onto the operated area for 2 weeks.
Implant Immobility is Crucial
The importance of “leaving the implant alone”
It is critical that implant cannot be mobile after the surgical placement. Even the slightest mobility can result in major discomfort, pain, swelling and infection. If a mobile implant is left in long enough, the swelling and infection can spread to adjacent areas such as face, nose, eye, neck or even adjacent tooth or implant can be damaged. The solution to manage a mobile implant, if discovered early, is to remove the mobile implant and replace it with another implant (redo the surgery). If the infection is spread, it might be impossible to replace with another implant, in which case the mobile implant must be removed first and allow the bone to heal for 4-6 months before a new implant can be placed.
Post-Surgical Diet
Dietary caution after implant surgery
Be mindful when eating tough or crunchy foods, such as meat, nuts, seeds, crunchy fruits and vegetables, popcorn, chips, and granola bars.
For front tooth implants: Avoid biting with your front teeth for 4 months. Cut food into small pieces, use a spoon to place it at the back of your mouth, and chew with your back teeth throughout the healing period.
For back tooth implants: Chew all food on the opposite side of your mouth for the entire 4-month healing period.
Contact us immediately if pain or swelling develops after biting hard food.
