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BLEEDING: Small amounts of blood in the saliva can make your saliva appear quite red. This is normal and may be noticed the rest of the day after the procedure.

SMOKING: Avoid smoking following surgery and throughout the entire healing period as it can delay and severely complicate the healing process.  The success rate of the implant will be substantially reduced by the cigarette smoke chemicals in your body.

PAIN: Some discomfort is normal after surgery. To minimize pain, Take two Tylenol, Nuprin, Advil, or similar non-aspirin pain reliever every 3 to 4 hours until bedtime to maintain comfort. Take it before the anesthesia wears off. If prescription pain medication is prescribed, take it as instructed on the label. Never exceed the dose on the label. Taking medication with food or milk will help reduce upset stomach. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery when taking pain prescriptions. Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medications.

NAUSEA: This is most often caused by taking pain medications on an empty stomach. Reduce nausea by preceding each pain pill with soft food, and taking the pill with a large glass of water.

SWELLING: Applying an ice bag to the face over the operated area will minimize swelling. Apply for 15 minutes, then remove for 15 minutes. Continue this for the first day.

NUMBNESS: The local anesthetic will cause you to be numb for several hours after you leave the office. Be very careful not to bite, chew, pinch, or scratch the numb area. Occasionally, the implant procedure may cause residual numbness or tingling for six weeks or longer.

BRUSHING: Do not brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After this, you may brush your teeth gently, but avoid the area of surgery for 3 days.

RINSING: Avoid all rinsing or swishing for 24 hours after your procedure. After 24 hours you may begin gentle rinsing with a saltwater solution (1/2 teaspoon salt + 8 ounces warm water). Avoid commercial mouth rinses. You may be instructed to use a prescription antimicrobial mouth rinse.

DIET: Eat soft foods for the first two days. Maintain a good, balanced diet. Return to normal regular meals as soon as you are able after the first two days. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol for 48 hours.

ACTIVITY: After leaving the office, rest and avoid strenuous activities and exercises for the next five days. Keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.

ANTIBIOTICS: If you were given an antibiotic prescription, take all of them as directed until they are gone. Not doing so may delay and severely complicate the healing process and, ultimately, the success rate of the implant.  Women: some antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use alternate birth control methods for two months.

SINUS: If your sinus was involved in the procedure (upper teeth only), you must sneeze with the mouth open, avoid blowing your nose or playing a wind musical instrument for at least two weeks after the sugery. Use of decongestant medications might be recommended.

REMOVABLE APPLIANCES, DENTURES: Dr. Chen will give you specific instructions about your prosthesis. To avoid putting any pressure on the new implants before they have healed, your denture might be adjusted or significantly modified. In certain cases you will need to go without your dentures for a period (days or weeks) after the implants are placed. Sometimes a temporary removable appliance is made for cosmetic purposes, until a new non-removable one can be made.

FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS: You may need to return to the office within the first 14 days to have sutures removed, or for a brief follow-up healing check. You may need to return after the implant has integrated for a small second procedure to expose it in preparation for the final restoration.

Please call the office at (626)445-0222 immediately if you have:

• uncontrollable pain
• excessive or severe bleeding
• marked fever
• excessive warm swelling occurring a few days after the procedure
• reactions to medications, especially rash, itching, or breathing problems

Following these instructions very closely will greatly help your comfort, and promote uneventful healing of the area. If any of the instructions is not followed, you may experience significantly more discomfort, and the success of the procedure may be affected.

What to expect following surgery:

• Bleeding: Small amounts of blood in the saliva can make your saliva appear quite red. This is normal and may be noticed the rest of the day after the procedure.
• Pain: Moderate discomfort may be noticed when the anesthetic first wears off, and may continue for several days.
• Swelling: Some swelling and discoloration of the lip and/or cheek may occur and may last for a few days.
• Sensation: There may be a temporary loss of feeling in the gums in the operated area. The teeth may also feel loose for a time. The teeth may be sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.

What to do following the surgery:

• After leaving the office, rest and avoid strenuous activities for the following five days. Keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.  Do not rinse or spit the first 24 hours after surgery.
• Take two Tylenol, Advil, or similar non-aspirin pain reliever every 3 to 4 hours until bedtime to maintain comfort. Take it before the anesthesia wears off.
• If pain medication is prescribed, take it as you need it.  Never exceed the dose on the label. Taking the medications with food or milk will help reduce upset stomach. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery when taking pain prescriptions. Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medications.
• Nausea is most often caused by taking pain medications on an empty stomach. Reduce nausea by preceding each pain pill with soft food, and taking the pill with a large glass of water.
• Applying an cold pack to the face over the operated area will minimize swelling. Apply for 15 minutes, then remove for 15 minutes. Continue this for the first 24 hours.
• Eat soft foods for the first 2 – 4 days. Maintain a good, balanced diet. Drink plenty of water. Do not drink through a straw. Avoid alcohol for 48 hours.
• Avoid chewing directly over the operated area until the sutures are removed.
• Brush all of your teeth after each meal. Avoid the operated area for the first day. Take care to avoid pulling the sutures.
• Do not rinse vigorously, nor use a Waterflosser®.
• Starting the day after the surgery, you may rinse gently with salt water solution (1/2 teaspoon salt + 8 ounces warm water) held in your mouth for 2 to 3 minutes every hour.  This will help you with any soreness and swelling that may occur.  The third day is the peak day for the swelling after most surgeries.  Swelling can last for a period of 5 to 10 days.
• Avoid lifting the lip with your fingers to look at the area. It is possible to accidentally tear the sutures, open the incision, and delay healing.
• Smoking should be stopped following surgery. Healing and success of the surgery will be substantially reduced by the cigarette smoke chemicals in your body.
• If you were given an antibiotic prescription, take all of them as directed until they are gone. Women: some antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use alternate birth control methods for two months.
• You may be instructed to use a prescription antimicrobial mouth rinse.
• Return to your dentists office for removal of the sutures or follow-up checks as directed.

If your sinus was involved in the procedure:

• Avoid blowing your nose, drinking with a straw, or playing a wind musical instrument for two weeks. If you sneeze, do so with the mouth open to avoid any pressure in the sinus area.
• Do not bend down too often during the first week.  Use an extra pillow when sleeping.
• A small amount of oozing of blood through the nose is not unusual.
• Use of decongestant medications may be recommended.
• Notify us if you feel granules in your nose.

If profuse bleeding occurs:

• Apply light pressure to the area with clean cloth or with a wet tea bag.
• It is normal to have slight bleeding for 2 to 3 days after surgery and your blood and saliva mixture will have a pink tint.

Please call the office at (626) 445-0222 if you have:

• Uncontrollable pain
• Excessive or severe bleeding
• Marked fever
• Excessive warm swelling occurring a few days after the procedure
• Reactions to medications, especially rash, itching, or breathing problems

Following these instructions very closely will greatly help your comfort, and promote uneventful healing of the area. If any of the instructions is not followed, you may experience significantly more discomfort, and the success of the procedure may be affected.