POST OP INSTRUCTIONS – All on 4
The placement of dental implants is a true surgical procedure. Post-operative care is very important. Unnecessary pain and the complications of infection and swelling may be minimized if these instructions are followed carefully. Sometimes the after effects of surgery are quite minimal, so not all of these instructions may apply. Common sense will often dictate what you should do. However, when in doubt, follow these guidelines or call our office at any time for clarification.
Immediately Following Surgery:
- The gauze placed over the surgical area should be kept in place for 30 minutes and changed at regular intervals until the bleeding subsides. Usually within 45 minutes to an hour, the bleeding will subside to a trickle. After the bleeding slows significantly you can quit using the gauze.
- Vigorous mouth rinsing or touching the wound area immediately following surgery should be avoided. This may initiate bleeding. Gentle rinsing is encouraged BEGINNING THE NIGHT OF SURGERY. Use the Peridex (chlorhexidine) that was prescribed. For further oral hygiene instructions, please review the section below entitled: Keep The Mouth Clean.
- Take the prescribed pain medications as soon as you begin to feel discomfort. This will happen when the local anesthetic wears off.
- Restrict your activities the day of surgery and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable. Allow yourself 7-10 days to resume normal eating patterns, to engage in regular or strenuous physical activity and to feel back to your normal self.
- Place ice packs to both sides of your face where surgery was performed. Refer to the section below entitled: Swelling for further explanation.
- CAUTION: If you suddenly sit up or stand from a lying position you may become dizzy. If you are lying down following surgery, make sure you sit for one minute before standing. Stand up slowly to provide time to steady yourself. If you feel dizzy when you sit or stand, you should lie back down immediately to minimize the possibility of fainting.
- DO NOT SMOKE. Smoking decreases the success rate of dental implants and voids the warranty.