Post Operative Instructions After a Dental Implant Procedure

1. Dental Implant Procedure is usually done in Two Phases. In the first phase the implant the surgically placed in your jaw bone. Bone formation around the implant takes around 2 to 3 months time. Once the bone is completely formed around the implant, In the Second phase of the treatment the abutment and Crown is placed on the Implant.
2.  The dentist will place sutures around the Implant so that the wound healing happens faster. The Non-Dissolvable Sutures will be removed after 7 days.
3. Over the wound, your Dentist would place a Sterile Gauze/cotton pack. You will be asked to bite on the Pack for at least an hour. Mild Bleeding is expected to happen during the first 24 hours. After an hour, remove the Gauze/cotton pack if the bleeding has stopped. If the wound is still bleeding, place a new sterile cotton/gauze pack and bite hard on it for an hour. The pressure pack helps to stop bleeding. If the area is still bleeding profusely ask someone to call your Dentist and seek immediate Medical attention.
4. Start applying Ice pack on the cheek. Keep the ice pack over the cheek for 10-15 seconds and then remove it for 10 seconds, again place it for 10-15 seconds. Repeat the icepacks at an interval of an hour throughout the day till you go off to sleep.
5. While sleeping, keep your head above the level of your heart by placing two or three pillows below your head. This will help reduce the swelling. Do not sleep with head tilted on the side of your wound.
6. After you have removed the cotton/gauze pack, You can have a plain Vanilla Icecream and then take your Prescribed medications as suggested by your Dentist.
7. Mild swelling is expected from the second day of the procedure, which will gradually subside in two or three days 
8. On the day, after the procedure Do not spit out Saliva or Blood. Swallow the Blood and saliva that accumulates in your mouth.
9. Keep yourself well hydrated by drinking a lot of fluids. Do not use draw to drink. Avoid Aerated carbonated drinks. 
10. Do not smoke or drink alcohol.
11. You can Brush the rest of the Mouth, as usual. Do not brush in the area of the wound for a day or two. Floss your teeth at least once in a day. You can start brushing the area of the wound from the third day onwards , but be gentle while you brush, and take care of the sutures while brushing.
12. For 2 to 3 days after dental implant placement do not gargle vigorously. On the first day of the procedure gargle using normal room temperature water. From day two you can start doing Saltwater gargles or you can also use antiplaque mouthwash to gargles. From the third day onwards use warm saline gargles, that will help bring the swelling down faster.
13. Do not check the wound in your mirror, by stretching your cheeks or touching the wound with finger or tongue. Doing so can disturb wound heal and can also lead to infection and pain in that area.
14. Post Extraction you will be Asked to be on Soft Diet for 2 to 3 days. Soft Diet might include Vegetable Soups, Bland non-spicy food, Dahi Chawal, Daal Chawal, Soft Idlis. Avoid Spicy, HOT and Hard food that would irritate or prick the Wound.
15. Do take your Dose of Medication as prescribed by your Dentist. If you develop any Side effects or allergies Do seek Immediate Medical care/attention. Your Dentist might prescribe you with Antibiotics and painkillers (if required) one or two days prior to your appointment date. Kindly start with your medications as instructed by your Dentist. Starting with an antibiotic course prior to your appointment reduces the infection, just enough for the anesthetic to act completely. Even after prescribing, if you have not started or you have missed your medication, do inform your Dentist about the same.
16. Always eat something one hour prior to your appointment. Do not go empty stomach or do not starve before your appointment. However, if you are fasting, kindly inform your Dentist about the same.
17. Your teeth might require to be numbed with a local anesthetic prior to your treatment so that you do not experience any pain during the treatment.
18. Avoid eating anything, post your treatment, until the effect of anesthesia wears off. Do not check if the effect of anesthesia has worn off, by biting your lips or the tongue. You might not realize the amount of pressure with which you are biting and that might lead to a cut or an ulcer on your lips or cheeks.
19. Do inform your Dentist about any Medical conditions that you have. Informing your medical history is of utmost importance so that no other complications arise during your treatment. You might be asked to get a Fitness certificate from your physician prior to your treatment.