Dental implant surgery enjoys a 95% success rate. However, it is crucial for you to follow your dental professional’s post-surgery recommendations to ensure your implant placement will not fall into the 5% category of failures. Suggested care instructions immediately after dental implant surgery include:
- For 24 hours after surgery avoid warm or hot beverages and foods, and do not rinse liquid over the surgical area.
- Avoid touching the surgical area with your fingers or tongue.
- Apply an ice pack to your face to minimize the swelling that occurs in the first few days.
- Bite down on a damp gauze pad or tea bag to control bleeding. Excessive bleeding or bleeding that lasts longer than a couple of days should be reported to your dental professional.
- Avoid aspirin or aspirin compounds that can cause additional bleeding.
- Maintain a soft diet for several months after surgery to give the implant time to heal.
- Finish any antibiotics prescribed by your doctor.
- If your surgeon did not prescribe pain relievers, use non-aspirin based over-the-counter pain relievers to treat any pain you may experience.
- Do not drink from straws.
- Avoid smoking as it increases the possibility of infection and slows the healing process.
- Limit exercise and physical activity for a few days after surgery.
- Brush and floss the rest of your teeth normally. Avoid brushing the surgical area, but you should rinse it with a small amount of water. Your dental professional may recommend a special mouth rinse.
- Patients who wear dentures should not resume their use until advised by their surgeon or dentist.
If you experience any unusual complications or signs of infection, contact the dentists at Advanced Dental Artistry in Federal Way, WA immediately. By following these recommendations and in cooperation with your dentist or oral surgeon, you will help to guarantee a successful dental implant procedure.
