Dental Implant Recovery:
What to Expect after Surgery

The treatment to insert dental implants into your jawbone does require a small surgical procedure. While Dr. Liu will take every precaution to ensure your surgery is a complete success, you can expect to experience some side-effects, particularly during the first few days after surgery. Before surgery takes place, we will make sure you know exactly what to expect during these first few hours and days after treatment. Patient education is particularly important to us at Spring Premier Dental, and Dr.Liu and our friendly dental team will ensure you know how to look after your mouth during this initial healing period.

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What to Expect Immediately after Surgery

Once the anesthesia has worn off, you may experience some minor discomfort and you should take it easy for the rest of the day. This can normally be controlled with over-the-counter painkillers, or we can prescribe something to ensure you feel comfortable. If you had a single dental implant, it’s not uncommon to experience very little, if any discomfort and you should be well enough to return to work the next day. Common side-effects after surgery include:

• • Pain or Discomfort
    This can normally be controlled with over-the-counter painkillers, or we can prescribe you something to ensure you feel comfortable. If you just had a single dental implant, it’s not uncommon to experience very little, if any discomfort and you should be well enough to return to work the next day.

  • Bleeding or Oozing
    During the first day or two after surgery, it’s quite normal to experience some minor oozing from the surgery site or even some light bleeding. We will provide you with some gauze packs that you can place directly on the surgical site. Apply gentle but firm pressure to the gauze until the bleeding stops. If necessary, replace the gauze after every 30 minutes or so. If you are at all worried that the bleeding is excessive, or if it will not stop, please contact our dental office immediately.

  • Swelling and Bruising
    The first day after surgery, please use an icepack and apply it to the outside of your mouth to help minimize any swelling and bruising. Apply the ice pack for 20 minute periods, allowing 20 minutes rest in between applications. After the first day, you can switch to using moist heat, applying it for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. It can take a few days for any bruising and swelling to fully come out.

  • Stick to Eating Soft Foods
    Immediately after surgery, stick to eating soft foods that don’t require any chewing. Good food choices include ice-cream and yogurt, mashed potatoes, and pasta and soup. As the area begins to heal, you can gradually introduce harder foods, but wait a while before you try to eat anything very crunchy or which has lots of seeds that could get stuck around the surgery site.

• Looking after Your Oral Health
  Immediately after surgery, make sure you gently brush the rest of your teeth but avoid the surgery site. Don’t rinse or spit for the first day or so after surgery, but from the next day onwards it can be helpful to use a warm salt water rinse to keep your mouth clean and comfortable. We may also prescribe an anti-microbial mouth rinse to help keep your mouth clean during this initial healing period.

 

Dr. Liu will give you lots of information on what to expect after implant surgery during your initial consultation. Most people will find healing quick, comfortable and uneventful, but if you are ever worried, please contact us as our friendly dental team is here to help you.