BLEEDING
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24-48 hours. Avoid rinsing, spitting or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There may be stitches over the extraction site, which will be removed at your next postop visit..
SWELLING
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, you can apply a bag of ice for 30 minutes at a time for the first 36 hours.
ORAL HYGIENE
BRUSH YOUR IMPLANT ONLY 1X/DAY AT NIGHT TO AVOID INJURY. DO NOT use mechanical toothbrush or Waterpik until your permanent crown is placed. DO NOT use mouthwash for the first week. Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. You can brush and floss as normal starting today. If you have been given a “Post-Operation Toothbrush”, use this toothbrush on the implant only until your next visit.
DIET
After you stop feeling numb, you can begin chewing and drinking. Avoid hot liquids or chewing food if you are numb, so you don't burn or bite your tongue/lip. NO HARD FOODS SHOULD BE EATEN AT ALL FOR >4 MONTHS TO AVOID INJURY TO IMPLANT (ex: ALL NUTS, chips, granola, French baguette, tough meat, meat with bone). Do not eat on the side of the implant.
PAIN
You should take one of pain medications for the first 24 hours to help decrease pain and swelling. The next time you should take pain medication should be around dinner time or before you go to bed. Starting tomorrow around lunch, if you do not have pain, you do not need to take the pain medication. Eat food and drink water while taking medication to avoid an upset stomach. Do NOT drink alcohol while taking medications. Do not take any of the medication below if you are allergic or have been instructed to not take it.
- Aleve 220mg: 1 tablet every 8-12 hours as needed for pain.
- Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) 200mg: 2-3 tablets every 6-8 hours as needed for pain.
- Extra Strength Tylenol 500mg: 2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed for pain.
ANTIBIOTICS
Take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection. You are 33% less likely to have an infection if you take the antibiotics.If you are allergic to any medications, please notify Dr. Sung immediately.
- Amoxil 500mg: 1 capsule 3x/day until all gone.
- Augmentin 875 mg: 1 tablet 2x/day until all gone.
- Z Pak: starting tomorrow, 1 tablet 1x/day until all gone.
ACTIVITY
Avoid strenuous activity for a minimum of 3 days (running, jumping, heavy lifting). If you are considering exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising.
POST-OP APPOINTMENT
Please make an appointment to return in 2-4 weeks unless otherwise instructed. If you need to contact us after office hours, please call the emergency line 713.777.1202 or email OFFICE@SUNG.DENTAL. If I do not answer immediately, please leave a voice message with your name and number. I make every attempt to answer my emergency phone as promptly as possible.