Post Dental Implant Surgery Guidelines – How to ensure smooth recovery
Dental implant surgery is a procedure to replace missing teeth, thereby enhancing oral health and function. The success of dental implant surgery depends on how well you care during the recovery period. In this blog, we will discuss why Post Dental Implant Surgery Guidelines are important to follow- brought to you by Advanced Dental Clinic East Delhi
Why are dental implant surgery guidelines important?
Post-surgical care after implant surgery is necessary for the implant’s overall life and future success. Here are some of the reasons why post-surgical care is important
- Implant success—Dental implants join with the jawbone in a process called osseointegration. Good post-surgical care ensures that this process happens smoothly, thus increasing the longevity of the implant.
- Promotion of healing—Poor post-surgical care hinders the healing process of implants, slowing down osseointegration, which may lead to the implant’s failure in the future.
- Minimization of discomfort—Just like any other surgery, pain and swelling do happen after implant surgery. However, good post-surgical care helps reduce the discomfort.
Immediate Post Surgery Steps – Post Dental Implant Surgery Guidelines
Managing Bleeding
After your implant surgery is over, we will place a piece of gauze or cotton on the surgical site. This cotton has to be placed with firm pressure for 30-45 minutes to control the bleeding from the surgical site. You should avoid rinsing the mouth or chewing food from that side, as it may lead to dislodgement of the clot, which may result in bleeding.
Diet Recommendations
Soft and light food should be eaten for the first 24 hours after the implant surgery. Ensure the food is cold or at least at room temperature. Hard and spicy food should be avoided entirely for the next few days as it may slow the healing process.
Oral Hygiene
Maintaining good oral hygiene is necessary to ensure proper healing. Start rinsing your mouth on the day after the surgery. As doctors indicate, use mouthwash or warm saline water gargles twice daily to keep the site clean.
Bleeding
Bleeding from the implant sight is normal for a few minutes, but if it doesn’t stop for a longer period, place a moistened tea bag over that area and bite it firmly for 30 minutes. The tannic acid in the tea bag will help in clot formation. If the bleeding doesn’t stop after that, or you don’t have a tea bag at home, visit your dental office for guidance.
Swelling and Bruising
Slight swelling and bruising are common after the implant surgery. Use an ice pack to reduce the swelling and keep your head a little elevated while resting. It will be expected in the next 2-3 days after the surgery
Activity Restriction
Try to rest entirely on the day of surgery, as you might feel pain after the procedure. You can start resuming your physical activities gradually from the next day.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking can significantly hinder the healing process and increase postoperative pain. It is highly recommended to refrain from smoking for as long as possible after your surgery to promote better healing and recovery.