Pre & Post Dental Implant Care | New York City Implant Dentistry

New York City

Pre- and Post-Operative Dental Implant Care

Pre-Operative Care - Instructions BEFORE your Implant Surgery:

Do wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
Do eat a meal before arriving at the office.
Do prepare small bags of ice to be used post-operatively.

Do not take aspirin or any product containing aspirin 7 days prior to surgery.
Do not drink alcoholic beverages for 3 days prior to surgery.
Do not wear make-up (foundation or lipstick).

Post-Operative Care - Instructions AFTER your Implant Surgery

Do use ice on your face (20 minutes on / 10 minutes off) for a total of 24 hours.
Do drink ice water or use ice chips in your mouth for the first 24 hours.
Do eat soft foods for 1 week (chewing away from the surgical area).
Do use a new toothbrush following surgery.
Do rinse with water after each meal to cleanse the surgical wound.

Do not drink hot liquids for 24 hours following surgery (hot coffee/hot tea/hot soup).
Do not drink alcohol for one week following surgery.
Do not use toothpaste until sutures are removed.
Do not exercise for three days following surgery.
Do not wear removable dentures until specified (wearing dentures too early will jeopardize healing).

Bleeding
You may see some bleeding following the surgery. If this occurs, it may be stopped by gently biting on a gauze soaked in cold water and wrung damp.

Swelling
If swelling is going to occur, it will peak 48 - 72 hours following surgery. If you are swollen after the first 24 hours, heat may be used on the area. A moist heated towel or a hot water bottle may be used in the area of swelling. In some cases bruising or restricted jaw movement may occur. Heat after the first 24 hours will help reduce these symptoms.

Sutures
Sutures will be present in your mouth following the surgery. Avoid the area of these sutures. These will be removed in approximately 7 - 14 days following the surgery.

Medications
In some cases medications will be prescribed. Mouthwash (Chlorhexidine) should be used twice a day for 30 seconds, after breakfast and before bedtime. Use prescribed medications as directed. If you have mild discomfort take non-prescription medications that do not contain aspirin, such as Tylenol.

The implant dentistry information on this page is offered by New York City implant dentist, Dr. Carlos Valdes. This information should not be considered formal dental advise about implants. If you would like formal dental implant advice, please contact us today to schedule an appointment at our New York City, New York dental office. We offer dental implants to patients across Manhattan and Queens, New York.