Patient Care · Post-Operative
After Dental
Implant Placement
Complete post-operative care to protect your implant site, prevent infection, and support successful osseointegration.
.png)
Day of Surgery
Protecting Your Implant Site
-
Do not disturb the wound on the day of surgery. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the implant site. You will notice a metal healing abutment protruding through the gum tissue — this is normal and expected.
Controlling Bleeding
-
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for the first 24 hours. If excessive bleeding occurs, bite on a gauze pad placed directly over the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, call our office: 281-896-0974.
Swelling
-
Apply an ice bag or ice-filled towel to the cheek in the area of surgery.
-
Apply ice Continuously as often as possible for the first 36 hours.
-
After 36 hours, warm compresses help any residual swelling resolve faster.
Eating After Implant Surgery
-
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food on the day of surgery.
-
Soft foods and liquids only for the first day. Return to normal diet as comfortable, unless directed otherwise.
-
Do not chew directly over the implant site.
Pain Management
Begin taking pain medication as soon as the local anesthetic starts to wear off.
-
Tylenol / Extra Strength Tylenol: 1–2 tablets every 3–4 hours.
-
Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin): 2–3 × 200 mg tablets every 3–4 hours. May be alternated with Tylenol for stronger effect.
-
For severe pain, take prescription medication exactly as directed. Do not take anything you are allergic to.
Antibiotics & Oral Hygiene
Take all prescribed antibiotics through the full course. Stopping early — even if you feel better — risks infection around the implant site.
-
Night of surgery: Use prescribed Peridex / Periogard oral rinse before bed.
-
Day after onward: Peridex twice daily — after breakfast and before bed. Rinse 30 seconds, then spit.
-
Warm salt-water rinses (1 tsp per cup) 4–5 times daily, especially after meals.
-
Brushing around healing abutments is fine — be gentle initially at the surgical site.
Physical Activity & Wearing Appliances
Take all prescribed antibiotics through the full course. Stopping early — even if you feel better — risks infection around the implant site.
-
Minimize physical activity for the first 72 hours. Exercise increases blood pressure and can cause throbbing or bleeding at the implant site. Stop exercising immediately if this occurs.
-
Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures must not be worn immediately after surgery or for at least 10 days, as previously discussed in your consultation.
Call our office immediately for uncontrolled bleeding · severe or worsening pain · signs of infection (fever, pus, spreading redness) · or reaction to medication. 281-896-0974