Dental Implants are the go-to solution for replacing missing teeth, offering durability, functionality, and a natural appearance. Although Dental Implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth, patient commitment to post-treatment instructions are essential milestone in dental implants’ durability and their long-term success.

Today we offer you a comprehensive guide to Dental Implant Aftercare step by step with Sauve Clinic’s post dental Implant guidelines we follow with our patients and have proven to achieve good prognosis and high success rates among our patients.

Immediate Post Implant Surgery Care 

After dental implant surgery, it’s normal to experience some swelling, mild pain, and occasional bleeding around the surgical site. As a result of the body’s reaction towards the dental Implant surgery including opening a gingival flap, punching the bone layers, then inserting a titanium fixture inside the bone, and finally suturing the flap over the post site around the healing cap. These symptoms typically subside within a few days, but each patient’s healing timeline may vary.

What is the Implant healing cap (Abutment )?

It’s a temporary abutment on the implant post. This temporary abutment is the healing cap which is made of a biocompatible material such as titanium to motivate healing and appears above the gingival line of the interosseus dental bone, to help gingiva and bone healing around this temporary abutment and dental implant screw, which will remain till the healing period 3-6 months, in the end, it will be removed and transitioned into the permanent implant abutment. 

Dental Implant Post Surgery Pain: How do people feel after dental implants?

What to Expect right after dental Implant surgery

• First Few Hours:
  You won’t feel pain since the anesthesia will still be acting on. But after some time, it fades away and you may feel a slight pain, so we prescribe painkillers (analgesics) and anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) to the patient in order not to encounter severe pain, and lower the degree of expected inflammation and swallowing. 
• First 1-3 days after the dental Implant Surgery:
  This is the peak of pain and discomfort as a result of the implant surgery, You may experience moderate pain and swelling around the surgical site. Your face may be swollen after dental implants for 3-5 days.

• After 4-6 days:
  Pain and swallowing will subside after 4-6 days of the Implant surgery, but you may still feel some itching and discomfort on the surgery site. However, you will start to feel more comfortable with normal mouth functions like eating and speaking. You should continue with soft foods avoid putting pressure on the implant site and stick to good oral hygiene as a daily routine.

• The first weak after Implant surgery:
  You will feel minimal or no pain after the first week. The swelling should be almost completely gone, and you can gradually return to your normal activities. In some cases, there is mild to moderate extent of soreness and inflammation still persists in the implant surgery site.

• The second week after Implant surgery:
  After two weeks you should feel normal, as it’s a suitable period to recover from the dental implant surgery completely, you should be able to eat normally and use mouthwashes as you wish. The area of the Implant surgery should feel much better, with no significant pain. At this point, the implant is healing well and gingival tissue is completely healed with or without the existence of the temporary implant cap.

Dental Implant AfterCare: What Are The Do’s And Don’ts After Implants?

There are some instructions; Do and Don’t you should adhere order to a fast healing process:

The Do’s 

• Take your antibiotics, Anti-inflammatory, or painkiller medications in time as your surgeon prescribed.
• Apply Ice packs on your outside cheeks at the site of the dental Implant surgery at 15-minute intervals.
• Strict to a soft diet such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, or soups. These are the most suitable foods to eat during the initial recovery phase.
• Apply your normal oral hygiene; soft brushing, and flossing.
• It’s better to replace your mouthwashes with normal saline solution and rinse your mouth with it.
• You should rest for 3 days and avoid any physical movements that cause any pressure on the surgery site.

The Don’ts

• Avoid hot beverages or spicy food, so not to inflame the surgery site.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking, if you are a smoker, stop smoking for at least 3 days as it hinders the process of healing, and increases the risk of implant failure.
• Do not drink through a straw, as suction can dislodge the blood clot and delay healing.
• Steer clear of spitting or rinsing your mouth aggressively in the first 24 hours.
• Avoid Hard, Crunchy, and Sticky Foods

How Do You Know If Something Is Wrong With Your Implant?

Even after following the previous instructions, there are some signs and symptoms that indicate potential complications and that’s when you should seek help and return to your dentist: 

1. Persistent severe pain even with painkillers administration after 2 weeks as ongoing or worsening pain could indicate infection or implant failure.
2. Prolonged swelling, redness of the surrounding gum, fever, and tenderness are clear symptoms of infection and implant inflammation (peri-implantitis).
3. Mobility of the implant is when you feel the implant is loose and moving in its place, as a problem with osseointegration (the bonding of the implant to the bone) or bone loss.
4. Noticing of bleeding, or any pus discharge as a sign of infection.
5. Noticing any change in the shape and color (appearance) of the gum on the implant site.
6. Discomfort when biting or chewing might indicate issues with the implant placement or surrounding teeth after 2 weeks.

All these symptoms are clear alarms to contact your dentist immediately, as addressing issues early ensures the best possible outcome and helps preserve the integrity and durability of your dental implant. 

We at Sauve Clinic ensure that dental implant surgery, implant screw insertion, and placing the abutment are done by professionals. We specialize in state-of-the-art dental implant procedures designed to restore your smile with minimal complications and a 98% success rate. 

Our professional Implant surgeons and specialists use advanced technology and biocompatible materials. We prioritize patient care, providing personalized aftercare instructions to support fast healing and long-term Implant success.

Long-Term Maintenance and Lifestyle Routine for Implant AfterCare

1. Avoid playing heavy exercises such as Boxing, and Heavy Lifting.
2. Strict to daily oral hygiene routine; brushing with soft-bristled brush, flossing, mouthwashes.
3. Commit to regular dental check-ups every week, then twice a month for 3 months, and then twice a year.
4. Try to stop smoking and alcohol drinking habits to enhance tissue healing.
5. Wear a nightguard, if you are a bruxer. 
6. Avoid any tooth-to-tooth bad habits like crunching ice and holding pens, that cause any tissue injury or damage.

Dental Implant AfterCare: Frequently Asked Questions