Q&A: What to Expect After Dental Implant Surgery

Do You Have Questions About What to Expect After Dental Implant Surgery? We Can Help.

Dental implants offer a more permanent solution for replacing missing teeth than traditional methods like dental bridges and conventional dentures. If you have just had a dental implant surgery or are contemplating this procedure, you may have questions about what to expect during the healing process. This article explains what food you can eat and what to avoid, oral hygiene practices, and more. Here are the most common questions and answers about post-dental implant surgery that will help you understand how to care for yourself as you heal.

Please note: These are recommendation for the average dental implant patient. Because each person’s physical and oral health is unique, you should follow the post-surgical instructions provided by the person who performed the implant surgery or their staff.

Q: What can I expect the first few days after dental implant surgery?

A: Immediately following dental implant surgery, you may experience some  discomfort and sensitivity. This can be managed by taking over-the-counter pain medications and ice packs. In some cases, your prosthodontist or oral surgeon may prescribe pain medications. Here are general facts about what you can expect the few weeks after surgery:

• Days 1–3: The surgical area will have some swelling and soreness which can be alleviated with over-the-counter pain medications. You can expect a small amount of bleeding in the first 24 hour, and in some cases, some bruising on your cheek or jaw. This is all normal.

• Days 4–7: By this time any soreness and swelling should be significantly reduced, and you may feel some tightness and pulling around the stitches. If you notice increased pain, swelling, heavy bleeding, or are experiencing a fever, contact the prosthodontist or oral surgeon that performed the surgery.

• One-to-Two Weeks: Pain and swelling is reduced as the gum around the implant closes, which should make the surgical area feel more comfortable.

Q: What should my eating habits be following dental implant surgery?

A: Here is what you can expect to experience in the first week after dental implant surgery:

• Days 1 & 2: The first two days following your dental implant surgery you should avoid eating or drinking anything that is hot which increase bleeding, avoid eating hard or crunchy foods, and be sure to avoid chewing foods on the implant side of your mouth. Avoid beverages that have carbonation, which can prevent clotting and alcohol which can slow healing. Do not drink liquids through a straw, which can dislodge clotting. Here are the types of foods to avoid and a few suggestions for what you can eat:

Foods to Avoid:

o   Crunchy foods like chips, nuts, and hard breads

o   Hard candies or gum

o   Sticky foods

o   Hot foods

o   Spicy foods

o   Tough meats

What to Eat:

o   Yogurt

o   Applesauce

o   Mashed potatoes

o   Smoothies (NO straw)

o   Puddings and custards

o   Scrambled eggs

o   Soft oatmeal (cooled)

• Days 3-7: After the first 48 hours after dental implant surgery and for the rest of the week you should eat soft foods and food should be cool or room-temperature—never hot. Here is a list of what foods to avoid and some suggestions as to what you can eat. This list is in addition to earlier foods mentioned for the first 48 hours after surgery:

Foods to Avoid: Still maintain the food situations and restrictions listed for the first two days after implant surgery.

What to Eat: The first week, you should eat soft foods that you can cut with a fork. Food should be cool or room-temperature. Here are a few suggestions for what is safe to eat that you can add to the previous list:

o   Eggs (any way you like)

o   Pancakes and waffles

o   Soft fruits (like bananas and rip peaches)

o   Soft-cooked vegetables

o   Soft-cooked rice

o   Soups (with no crunchy bits)

o   Cottage Cheese

o   Soft noodles and pasta

o   Soft fish (like salmon and tilapia)

Q: What oral hygiene habits should I follow during implant surgery healing?

A: Here is a general guide for taking care of your oral health immediately following dental implant surgery for the first few weeks: 

• Days 1 & 2: The first few days after implant surgery, you’ll need to treat the surgical area with great care so the natural healing process can take place, and to minimize damage to the implant area. Here are several oral health instructions:

  
  

o   When brushing, avoid direct contact with the surgical site

o   Gently rinse your mouth with water after every meal, avoiding any vigorous rinsing

o   You can rinse with saltwater after 24 hours post surgery (or as directed by your prosthodontist or oral surgeon)

• Days 3-14:

o   You can begin to brush your other teeth with a soft bristle toothbrush, but continue to avoid the surgical site so that you do not disturb the stitches (unless your prosthodontist or oral surgeon allows)  

o   Continue to gently rinse with saltwater 2–3 times a day or use a prosthodontist or oral surgeon-recommended antimicrobial rinse (often 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate)

• Weeks 3 & 4:

o   Continue to brush around the surgical site but with care

o   You may use a water flosser on the lowest setting (after initial healing)

• Over the Next Several Months: Keep maintaining excellent oral hygiene and keep all follow-up appointments with your prosthodontist or oral surgeon to check the integration of implant to bone (a.k.a. osseointegration). Your artificial tooth (the crown) will be placed 3-6 months after dental implant surgery.

Q: What warning signs should I look out for that tells me I should contact my prosthodontist or oral surgeon?

A: If you are experiencing any of these situations after dental implant surgery, contact your dental office immediately:

• Increased pain at the surgical site after the first 3–4 days, extreme pain that lingers after the first 48 hours, or pain that suddenly gets worse may indicate you have in infection or you’re experiencing irritation from the implant.

• Although a low-grade temperature is common the first day of implant surgery, if you’re not feeling well in general or you have a persistent high fever, these are warning signs to call your prosthodontist or oral surgeon.

• Increased swelling after day three.

• Bleeding that doesn’t stop, although some oozing is normal.

• A foul taste in your mouth, pus or discharge, which is often a sign of infection.

• The implant abutment has moved or feels unstable.

• Numbness, especially in your lower jaw, that appears suddenly and does not improve.

• Although some stiffness is normal, if you find it difficult to open your mouth that gets worse over time, it is a warning sign.

• Your stitches are coming out early after surgery.

• You feel a sharp poking feeling.

You should never hesitate to contact your prosthodontist or oral surgeon, if you notice any of these warning signs, so you can avoid possible complications.

Conclusion

Dr. Isaac Kuyunov and his team at Dental Prosthodontics of Rochester will make every effort to ensure that your dental implant surgery and recovery is as comfortable for you as possible. Whether you’re interested in implant-supported crowns, implant-supported dental bridges, full-arch dental implants, or implant-supported dentures, email us to schedule a one-on-one consultation or call 585-471-5689 to schedule an appointment. We want to help you achieve the confidence and function of a full smile.

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