After your dental implant has healed, enjoy the beauty and function of your new smile!
So, you’ve made an appointment to get your dental implants fitted. What do you need to do in the days following the appointment to make sure that your dental implants bond correctly? In addition to following Dr. Weyneth’s specific advice, here are a few tips that will make sure your recovery is smooth and as painless as possible.
Bring Someone With You To Your Implant Procedure
During the implant procedure, Dr. Weyneth will administer a powerful anesthesia to put you under general anesthesia. After the procedure, you will awaken feeling groggy and disoriented. It is very important to bring a family member or close friend with you to the procedure to make sure that you make it home safely. Your family member or friend will:
- Get all the paperwork, including billing information and prescriptions, from the clinic staff.
- Pick up prescription medications and medical supplies from a local pharmacy.
- Make sure that you arrive home and are resting comfortably.
In the first few days, make sure that you have someone to stay in contact with if you need food or a prescription refill.
Diet and Rest
After your procedure, you will be susceptible to infection and pain during the first few days. Following these tips will help you immediately after your procedure.
- Only drink cold liquids in for the first 48 hours, especially while the anesthetic wears off. Avoid hot drinks and solid food. Most importantly, do not rinse the area with liquids.
- Avoid extended exercise during the first few days after the procedure. Make sure to get plenty of rest and elevate your head with a pillow.
Pain Management
Light bleeding, pain, and swelling are common following a dental implant procedure. Your pain will reach a climax within the first 48 hours, generally starting to subside within the first week. When managing your pain:
- Use an ice pack on your cheeks at ten-minute intervals, taking 20-30 minute breaks between ice treatments.
- Use a towel to hold the bag of ice.
- After the first 36 hours, start applying a gentle heat pack as the swelling starts to go down.
- Drink cold beverages to reduce irritation to the implant site.
Dr. Weyneth may provide different painkillers to help alleviate the pain. These may include narcotic-strength painkillers, ibuprofen, and gel-based treatments. Narcotic-strength painkillers can cause nausea, and you may get an additional batch of medications to help with this. Make sure that you start taking your painkillers as soon as the anesthesia has worn off. Generally, most of the pain should be gone within a week.
Post-Operative Bleeding
Generally, bleeding is quite common after a dental implant. This does not mean that your stitches, which dissolve within 2-3 weeks have failed. Simply apply gauze to the implant site if you notice small amounts of bleeding. Firmly bite down on the gauze pad and keep it in place for about sixty minutes. Bleeding should subside within a few days.
If, for any reason, you feel your bleeding is extreme, you should contact our office for emergency treatment right away.
Antibiotics
There is some general disagreement over whether or not antibiotics are necessary before and after a dental implant. Here are some tips for making sure that you stick to your antibiotics regimen:
- Take your antibiotics every day, as prescribed.
- Ask Dr. Weyneth about antibiotics and meals: some meals need to be taken anywhere from two-four hours before or after a meal.
- Abstain completely from alcohol, as it can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and dehydration.
Most importantly, finish off your antibiotics. Even if you feel fine and notice no sign of infection, finishing your prescription of antibiotics will make sure that the medication can successfully prevent an infection.
Keeping the Implant Site Clean
After your implant procedure, follow Dr. Weyneth’s instructions for keeping your implant site clean. In the first few days, you will want to rinse the site with a light saline solution. You may also start using mouthwash as the pain subsides. If he prescribes a mouthwash, use it for the period subscribed. Continue to brush your other teeth as normal. You will want to avoid the implant site, as it may be painful during the first few days to week after the procedure. Generally, you should use a saline solution 4-5 times per day in the initial days and week after the implant procedure.
Enjoy Your New Smile
Your implant procedure typically takes several months, as the different components of your implant are added. After the first implant visit, you will be fitted with temporary crowns to act as your teeth. Eventually, you will be able to enjoy your new smile to the fullest. Once your implants are fully fitted, make sure to maintain a good oral hygiene regimen, but, most importantly, enjoy your new smile! Contact our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Weyneth.