Post-operative care of teeth

After implant surgery, patients should be warned to expect:

 Some swelling and possibly bruising.

 Some discomfort which can usually be controlled with oral analgesics.

 Some transitory disturbance in sensation if surgery has been close to a nerve.

They should be advised:

 In most circumstances, not to wear dentures over the surgical area for at least 1 week (possibly 2 weeks) to avoid loading the implants and the possibility of disrupting the sutures.

 To use analgesics and ice packs to reduce swelling and pain To keep the area clean by using chlorhexidine mouthwash 0.2% for 1 minute twice daily.

 Not to smoke. This compromises healing of soft tissue and bone and may increase the risk of implant failure. Ideally patients should stop smoking for some weeks before surgery and for as long as possible thereafter.

Treatment plans which have used provisional bridges have an advantage in that they do not load the implant sites and can be refitted immediately after the surgery, providing some allowance has been made to accommodate some swelling.

All patients should be seen after 1 week for review, suture removal and adjustment and refitting of dentures with adequate soft linings. In some cases the tissues will not be able to accept a denture for 2 weeks. This is most likely with surgery in the edentulous mandible and with surgical flap designs which affect the sulcus shape. Patients will require regular review and change of soft liners. In some cases there may be exposure of cover screws, but this has little effect on the success of the implant providing they are kept clean.