After Care Instructions

Care Following Dental Implant Placement

• For the first 7 – 10 days after surgery, avoid physical exertion (i.e sports, heavy lifting)
• For the next 24 hours avoid hot drinks such as tea or coffee.
• Salt Water - The day after surgery (no less than 24 hours) commence saltwater rinses ¼ - ½ teaspoon salt in a cup of warm water and rinse after every meal, this will help to keep the wound clean and reduce soreness.
• It is very important that your oral hygiene and home care are maintained to the highest of standards and that all hygiene appointments are attended.
• Avoid alcohol for the first week or longer as this affects the healing of the tissues.
• Avoid smoking for 2 weeks, as this will slow down the healing process.
• Leave your denture out as much as possible after surgery to help the healing of the soft tissues. Do not attempt to force dentures into the mouth and should they become painful stop wearing them and contact your dentist.
• A surgical dressing may have been placed around the incision after surgery. Avoid brushing the area; Clean gently.
• If an antibiotic has been prescribed, please take it only as directed and finish the course. If you appear to be having a reaction to the medication, please contact the surgeon.
• Please maintain a soft diet for 10 days during the healing phase. Do not use a water-pick, explore the area with your tongue, or eat hard, crusty foods.
• If you have undergone a sinus lift procedure, avoid blowing your nose or drinking through a straw for approximately 2 weeks after surgery. This will help prevent infection. Please avoid flying or swimming for 2 weeks after surgery. If you feel like sneezing please try to sneeze through your mouth and not through your nose.
• Sleeping: Sleep with an extra pillow to lift your head for the first 2 nights to reduce swelling.
• Discomfort: Only minor discomfort should be experienced.
• Supplements: All patients can help the process of healing by taking multi vitamins and dairy products as part of their normal diet.
• CONTACT THE SURGEON IF: Numbness persists for more than 6 hours after surgery, stitches become loose or fall out within the first five days, excessive pain or bleeding.

Care Following Extractions

• Do not rinse, spit, smoke, suck on a straw or rinse your mouth vigorously with any liquid for 24 hours. Do not drink any carbonated beverages (cokes, dr. pepper, and sprite).
• There may be slight oozing of blood for several hours, which is to be expected. It is important that the initial blood clot remain intact: therefore, normal swallowing is best with little or no spitting. Spitting will disrupt the clot. No heavy lifting or exercise should be done on the day of your extractions. This could disrupt blood clotting. Excessive spitting can lead to a dry socket, which is very painful.
• To control bleeding, bite on gauze for 30-minute intervals until the bleeding stops. If this does not control the bleeding, try biting on a teabag.
• Take all antibiotics if prescribed by the dentist. Take pain medication only if needed.
• Some swelling after extractions is normal. Use an ice pack on the day your teeth were extracted to help control swelling.
• If you have concerns and cannot reach the dentist, go to the emergency room.

Care For Immediate Dentures

• Refer to extractions instructions (above)
• Any denture or partial made within six months to one year after extractions are considered to be immediate or temporary and will have to be remade or possibly reline as the gums shrink and change. These dentures will not be as effective over time concerning their fit, appearance, and function. If a reline or replacement is needed after gums have fully healed, there will be a charge for these services.
• Keep dentures or partials in place for the first 24 hours and return the following day for a scheduled post-op check.
• Sutures, if used, will dissolve in 7-10 days.
• Good nutrition is important. Please continue to eat a healthy diet, soft foods may be easier when eating with your new dentures.

Care Following Denture Relines

• You should expect your gums to shrink as healing progresses, making your dentures feel “big” and looser than usual. Relines may be the solution to loose-fitting dentures. In most cases, immediate dentures or partials will need to be relined or remade. Temporary lines are usually needed until all shrinkage has taken place. There may be additional fees associated with relines.