Please refer to the general oral surgery instructions for general post-operative instructions that are applicable to all oral surgeries.

Additional Implant-Specific Instructions:

Depending on the location and stability of the implant being placed, your surgeon may choose to bury the implant under the gum tissue. In time, you will return and have the implant uncovered so that it can be restored with a crown.

If stability is optimal, the surgeon will have placed a metal attachment to the implant that protrudes through the gum tissue by about 1–2 mm.

Oral Hygiene:

Please keep the implant site clean. Avoid brushing the area for 3–4 days. Brush your other teeth as normal. To keep the site clean, use the prescribed mouthrinse (Peridex™) twice daily and rinse with it for 1 minute in the morning after breakfast and 1 minute right before bedtime. Use salt water or other diluted mouthwash rinses after meals. After the first 4 days, you may begin brushing the implant site gently. After 2 weeks, you should resume normal brushing of the implant site to keep it as clean as possible. You may brush the metal attachment (abutment) the same way as a tooth. You may stop using the prescribed mouthrinse (Peridex) after 1 week.

Bone Graft Material:

If your surgeon placed bone graft material at the time the dental implant was placed, you might notice some gritty material in your mouth at times. This is nothing to worry about and should subside within 1–2 weeks.

Diet:

Avoid eating hard or crunchy foods directly over the implant site during the first month after surgery. The success of the implant integrating with your jaw bone is dependent on it healing without excessive pressure from hard chewing.

Follow-Up:

Your surgeon will see you for a follow-up at 3–4 months to ensure the implant has healed (fused) to the jaw bone prior to having the final crown placed by your dentist.

We are here for you. If you have questions about your procedure, our center has 24-hour surgeon availability. If you would like to speak to your surgeon, please contact us at any time. During business hours, please call our office. After hours, please call our office, and our answering service will page a surgeon.