7th Street Dental
After Dental Implants
You may see a silver “button” (abutment) at the gum level where your dental implant was placed. This is the normal cover for the implant.
Do not disturb the wound by touching, spitting or aggressively rinsing in the area during the first 24 hours following your treatment.
Wear your denture until you see your denturist or for 24 hours.
There may be stitches placed at the treatment site. If the stitches are of the dissolvable type, they will come out on their own within 3 to 7 days. We will remove any stitches which have not dissolved on their own with in 10-14days
Bleeding
Mild bleeding from the surgical site or redness of the saliva is normal during the first 24 hours following treatment.
Apply the sterile gauze provided directly to the surgical site. Change the gauze when it becomes saturated with blood or saliva, no more often than every 20 and 30 minutes.
Excessive bleeding, must be reported to our office immediately in order for our doctors to manage your care.
Swelling
Gum and facial swelling is normal and may continue for at least 24 to 48 hours following your treatment. To help minimize swelling, apply an ice pack to the cheek adjacent to the extraction site for 5 to 10 minutes during the first 24 hours after treatment. If both sides of the mouth were treated, alternate the ice pack application, 5 to 10 minutes per side for the first 24 hours after treatment.
Diet
Drink plenty of fluids following your treatment. Clear, cool and “flat” (non-carbonated) fluids are recommended during the first 48 hours following treatment.
Do not eat foods that require you to chew in the area of the dental implant(s). Remain on a soft non-chew diet for the first 5 days after surgery or as instructed by your doctor.
Avoid popcorn, nuts, seeds (e.g. sesame seeds, sunflower seeds etc) or hard crunchy foods for at least 2 weeks after your surgery.
Using a straw is not recommended for the first 24 hours after surgery as it will increase negative pressure in your mouth and increase bleeding from the treatment site.
Pain
You will be prescribed or recommended pain medications to take after your treatment. The Doctors will provide you or your responsible adult escort with the details for how to take these medications. The information will also be clearly labelled on your prescription bottle.
Antibiotics
Please be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed.
Oral Hygiene
Gentle oral hygiene is recommended for the first 48 hours following your treatment. Do not brush the gums directly near the surgical wound until the sutures are removed. Supplement gentle oral hygiene with the Chlorhexidine rinse that was given to you starting 24 hours after your treatment. Aggressive brushing or rinsing during the first 24 hours after your treatment may cause bleeding from the site.
Activity
Reduced physical activity following your treatment is recommended. Avoid exercise, long distance running or heavy lifting during the first week following your treatment.
Questions or Emergencies
Please review the detailed post-operative instruction form provided to you following your treatment.
Please call our office during regular business hours for further instructions or call the personal number that the doctors provided you.