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After Implants Advice

General health advice before, during and after implant placement

General health considerations before implant placement

Introduction: Dental implants are fixed into the bone of the jaw through an opening in the gum. in order for the implants to be usable, they must be locked into the jawbone and surrounded by healthy gum tissue. The complex healing requirements of bone and skin required for this to come about can be critically influenced by your own behaviour.

Healing: Healing can be enhanced by arriving at the dental office in the best possible state of health prior to the operation, and by following the regime suggested by your surgeon during and after each stage.

Timing of the Ensure that the appointment made for implant placement does not interfere treatment with your social or professional life. You may be asked to leave out your denture or adhere to a particular dietary regime for a period of time.

Also, there may be some minor discomfort or swelling after the operation which can last for an average of 2-3 days. Sometimes these symptoms may persist for slightly longer depending upon the complexity of the surgical procedures and individual patient variations.

Sedation: If you are having sedation, please make sure a responsible person is available to escort you home.

Aspirin: If you are taking aspirin, you should check with your physician that it is suitable to stop the recommended dose 2 weeks before the implant appointment.

Antibiotics: Make sure you have taken the prescribed antibiotics before arriving at the dental office and that you complete the course of medication in the period afterwards.

Smoking: Research has shown that regular smokers lack Vitamin C. This deficiency interferes with all healing processes.

Smokers are strongly advised to take 1,500mg of Vitamin C a day for one month prior to the operation and continue for as long as possible afterwards for its general hea th benefit. However, if at all possible you should give very serious consideration to giving up smoking altogether, or discuss with your surgeon a suitable period of cessation pre- and post-operatively for the key surgical stages.

Vitamins

Instructions to patients at implant placement (Stage 1)

Discomfort Normally we find that implant placement is followed by only minor discomfort.

Any discomfort can be minimised by following instructions.

Pain

If you experience pain when the anesthetic has worn off follow the regime of pain control that you have been given.

Bleeding or Minor oozing may discolour your saliva for some hours after leaving the oozing surgery. However, if bleeding continues and clots are evident, identify the source and apply gentle pressure to the area with a gauze pad soaked in warm salty water for 15 minutes. This may be repeated 3-4 times. If bleeding continues after this, contact the dental office.

Sleeping: Sleep with an extra pillow to lift your head for the first 2-3 nights to reduce the amount of swelling that may occur.

Icepacks: Ice packs can be held over the area operated upon for 20-30 minute intervals, totalling not more than one to two hours during the first two days after the operation. This will normally reduce the amount of swelling.

Smoking: Do not smoke for two weeks before and after the operation as this can seriously affect the success of the implant placement.

Drinking: Avoid alcohol for two weeks after the operation as this can impair healing.

Salt Water: The day after surgery (not less than 24 hours), commence warm salt rinses

(1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) 2 or 3 times a day.

Each rinse should be held against the affected area so that the warm salty water cools over it and is held there until the heat is gone. Then repeat until the cup is finished. This should last about 10 minutes each time.

Dentures: Leave your denture out if instructed to do so, until it can be re-lined with a soft lining material.

Meals: After each meal, gently rinse your mouth with warm water.

Brushing: Do not brush the area where the implants have been placed for at least a week.

Tongue: Try not to explore the area with your tongue as this may loosen the stitches.

Diet: In regard to diet, any food may be eaten provided it is soft. This applies to the first week. Boiled fish, scrambled eggs, pasta, rice etc. are suitable, though any meal may be mashed or passed through a blender to render it soft.

Vitamins: Continue the vitamin supplements (if prescribed) and ensure you have a balanced diet, high in calcium.

PROBLEMS Contact the surgery if:

Nose bleeds or sinus pain

Instructions to patients after sinus augmentation

There is a small chance that a nose bleed may occur after the procedure. Should this happen sit upright and apply a cold compress. Above all STAY CALM.

Typical healing patterns

There is a wide range of normal healing responses. Swelling is often worse by the 2nd or 3rd day and may persist for a few days.

If you are at all unsure or the swelling continues for more than a week you should contact the surgery immediately.

Instructions to patients at implant exposure (Stage 2)

Discomfort Normally we find that implant exposure is followed by only minor discomfort.

Any discomfort can be minimized by following instructions.

Pain: If you experience pain when the anesthetic has worn off follow the regime of pain control that you have been given.

Bleeding or Minor oozing may discolour your saliva for some hours after leaving the oozing surgery. However, if bleeding continues and clots are evident, identify the source and apply gentle pressure to the area with a gauze pad soaked in warm salty water for 15 minutes. This may be repeated 3-4 times. If bleeding continues after this, contact the dental office.

Smoking: Do not smoke for two weeks after the operation as this can seriously affect the success of the implant placement.

Alcohol: Avoid alcohol for two weeks after the operation as this can impair healing.

Hot food For the first 24 hours take no hot food or drinks. After this, avoid food which isand drinks fibrous or tough as this may damage the gums healing around the posts.

Salt Water: The day after surgery (not less than 24 hours), commence warm salt rinses

(1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) 2 or 3 times a day.

Each rinse should be held against the affected area so that the warm salty water cools over it and is held there until the heat is gone. Then repeat until the cup is finished: This should last about 10 minutes each time.

Dentures: Leave out your denture if instructed to do so, until it can be re-lined with a soft lining material.

Meals: After each meal, gently rinse your mouth with warm water.

Brushing: Do not brush the area where the posts have been placed for five days. Then commence gently with a soft toothbrush dipped in hot water.

Stitch: Care Try not to explore the area with your tongue as this may loosen the stitches.

Vitamins: Continue the vitamin supplements (if prescribed) and maintain a balanced diet, high in calcium.

PROBLEMS: Contact the surgery if

Stitch: After the stitches have been removed, the implants have become your removal responsibility and it is your duty to keep all scheduled maintenance appointments and build a habit of rigorous cleanliness around these posts.

You must contact the surgery if there is any alteration in the way your Problems mouth feels in regard to pain, bleeding, loosening of implants, bad taste or any change in the way the teeth meet on closing your jaws.