BLEEDING

The first thing you need to do is control your bleeding.  If you don’t control your bleeding you might swallow blood and become nauseated and you won’t be able to eat, drink or take your medicines.  Remember some bleeding is normal, but it should be under control within 2 hours.

  1. Bite down on the gauze you leave the office with for 30 minutes to 1 hour OR Maintain a steady pressure on the surgical site.
  2. ** You must get something in your stomach and know you are tolerating it before you can start any medicines.  Nothing harder than a plain scrambled egg until your freezing is all gone.

DIET

  1. Stay away from citrus and spicy foods for a least one week.
  2. A normal diet of pasta, rice, soup, most proteins are fine right away.
  3. Avoid anything too hot (tea, coffee, soups) on surgery day as heat increases your bleeding and you may burn yourself while you still have freezing.

MEDICATION

After you have had something to eat and drink and you know your stomach is fine:

  1. Before your freezing starts to wear off and you notice pain, Start taking the analgesic you have been prescribed for pain.
  2. With your prescribed medication take 400mg of Ibuprofen or Motrin (unless contraindicated by your medical history or if Toradol has been prescribed).  This will help reduce swelling.
  3. If prescribed, start antibiotics on the day of surgery.  Do not attempt to take all your medications at once.  Introduce them one at a time.  Your antibiotic is important but does not have to be started immediately upon returning home and can wait until supper or bedtime.
  4. You may be given a prescription for Chlorhexidine mouth rinse.  It should be used 3 times a day for one month after brushing and salt water rinsing.  We suggest you use it on a Q-Tip to gently trace around the implant area.

HOMECARE

Now it is time to rest, avoiding strenuous activities for today.

  1. Apply ice to your face for 20 minutes. Frozen peas in a plastic sealable bag, wrapped in a light t-shirt or towel works well. Swelling is to be expected and is at its peak 2 to 3 days after surgery.  Icing reduces swelling  and should be done as much as possible over the next 3 days. Remember, ice for 20 minutes only and then take a 20 minute break before reapplying ice.
  2. 24 hours after surgery start a warm salt water rinse (1/2 tsp salt in 1 cup of water) after each meal and before bedtime.
  3. Sutures will dissolve in 3-10 days.  Sometimes they fall out sooner – that is OK. If sutures remain after 2 weeks and are bothersome, call us or your family dentist to have them taken out.
  4. Dentures or partials should be worn at all times, except for cleaning or rinsing. However if you feel pressure or contact over the implant remove your appliance and see your Dentist to have it adjusted before replacing it in your mouth.
  5. Avoid smoking; it increases risk of healing complications.
  6. Report an increase in pain, uncontrolled bleeding, increase or hard swelling, fever or other unusual conditions to the office at 250-598-5643.  If you call after hours please follow the instructions on the message to reach the Oral Surgeon on call. Please call if you are experiencing any problems after your procedure, or have any questions.

If travelling outside of Victoria, the Province or Canada after your procedure, please be sure to carry adequate medical insurance as costs associated with post operative complications can be significant.  Dr. Nagy will not be responsible for any fees associated with obtaining post operative care elsewhere.

FOR INTRAVENOUS SEDATION PATIENTS

  • DO NOT DRIVE or OPERATE MACHINERY for 24 Hours, or if drowsiness or dizziness persists.
  • DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL for 48 Hours.
  • DO NOT TAKE SEDATIVE DRUGS for at least 24 Hours.
  • DO NOT SIGN OR ENTER INTO ANY CONTRACT for 24 Hours.