Dental Implant Surgical Instructions
Dental Implants Oral Surgical Instructions in Frisco, TX
At Stonebriar Facial & Oral Surgery in Frisco, TX, our oral surgeons want you to be fully educated on what to expect after your surgery for dental implants. We will provide you with oral and written dental implant surgical instructions and dental implant surgery recovery information. These instructions will be specific to your procedure and should take precedence over the more generalized information on this page. If you have any questions, please call our office during normal hours.
After Placement of Dental Implants
Your instructions may differ than those listed on the website. Most importantly, follow the instructions provided specifically to you. The online instructions are generalized in nature. 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.
Bleeding
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for a few days. 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 at a time. If bleeding continues, please call for further instructions.
Swelling
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. It will typically be maximized in 48-72 hours. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag, a plastic bag, or a towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice intermittently, as much as possible, for the first 24 hours. The ice should be applied for 20 minutes and removed for 20 minutes. Be careful not to nap with the ice left in place. Injuries to facial nerves may occur when the ice is left in place continuously.
Healing abutments
Healing abutments or “Healing Caps” are usually placed at the time of implant placement. Healing abutments screw into the implant fixture and emerge just above the level of the gums. These healing abutments direct the healing of the gums at the level of the gums. If the healing abutment comes out during the healing period, DO NOT PANIC!!! This happens because the healing abutment is placed “finger tight” and not at a high torque value. If the healing abutment loosens and falls out, please continue to keep the area clean while the gums close over the implant collar. We will replace the healing abutment after the implant has had adequate time to heal.
Diet
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food until the local anesthesia has resolved. Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed. Please avoid nuts, chips, seeds, and popcorn.
Pain
You should begin taking pain medication as directed by the office. For moderate pain, an over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol or Advil may be enough. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any medication if you are allergic or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.
Antibiotics
If you were provided an antibiotic, please take it as directed to help prevent or manage infection. Not all patients will receive an antibiotic prescription.
Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. Peridex rinse is frequently prescribed for oral surgery procedures. If you received a prescription, be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. Warm saltwater rinses (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) may be used at least 4-5 times a day, as well, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments is no problem. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas.
Activity
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you are considering exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. You should be able to eat and drink like normal prior to exercising. You should not be taking any pain medication that has a narcotic in it if you plan to exercise.
FAQs on Dental Implants & Surgical Instructions
Please read through our FAQs on dental implants and surgical instructions and call us if you have any other questions.
For the first few weeks after dental implant surgery, you should eat soft foods. For the first 24-48 hours, avoid hot foods and beverages and only consume cool liquids, protein drinks, and meal replacement shakes. Do not drink through a straw, drink alcohol, or smoke. Avoid foods that are crunchy, hard, sticky, acidic, spicy, chewy, tough, or very hot.
Dental implants that are placed at Stonebriar Facial and Oral Surgery are typically ready to “restore” or, in other words, the dentist is clear to begin the process of restoring the implant with an abutment and crown SIX WEEKS after placement. Your surgeon will give you a specific healing timeline that is specific to your surgery. We pride ourselves that we can release our patients back to their restorative dentist quickly so that they can return to life as usual. We provide tomorrow’s implant dentistry, today!
It is normal to experience mild sensitivity, mild swelling or minimal pain after dental implant surgery. However, many of our patients will return to our office at their final check at 6 weeks and tell us that they didn’t use ANY pain medication. We always love hearing this! If your pain cannot be managed by prescription medication or if it gets worse after one week, please call us.
Call With Questions About Pre- or Post-Surgery Instructions
If you have further questions about your pre- or post-surgery instructions, please call us during normal office hours. Our team wants you to be fully prepared for your surgery and know how to care for yourself after your dental implants are placed. The information on this page is generalized, and you should refer to the written instructions you are given for more specific instructions.