Post-Operative Instructions: Implants

Immediately After Surgery — First 24 Hours

Some bleeding, swelling, soreness, and bruising are normal following dental implant surgery. These symptoms should gradually improve as healing progresses.

Bleeding

• Minor bleeding or blood-tinged saliva is normal following surgery.
• Slight oozing may occur during the first several hours.
• If bleeding increases:
  • Place clean gauze directly over the surgical site.
  • Bite down with firm, continuous pressure for 30–60 minutes.
  • Avoid repeatedly removing the gauze to check the area.
• Contact our office if heavy or persistent bleeding does not improve with firm pressure.

Numbness

• Local anesthetic may cause numbness of your lips, tongue, cheek, teeth, or surrounding tissues for several hours.
• Do not chew while numb.
• Be careful not to bite, pinch, scratch, or otherwise injure the numb area.
• Rarely, temporary numbness, tingling, or altered sensation may occur following implant surgery.
• Contact our office if numbness or altered sensation persists after the anesthetic should reasonably have worn off.

Pain Control

Some discomfort is expected following implant surgery.

• Take pain medication exactly as directed.
• Do not exceed the recommended dosage.
• Taking medication with food may help reduce stomach upset when appropriate.
• If a medication causes drowsiness or sedation:
  • Do not drive.
  • Do not operate machinery.
  • Do not drink alcohol.
• Contact our office if pain becomes severe, progressively worsens, or is not adequately controlled.

Antibiotics

If antibiotics have been prescribed:

• Take them exactly as directed.
• Do not change the dose or discontinue the medication unless instructed by our office or another healthcare professional.
• Contact us promptly if you develop:
  • A rash.
  • Significant gastrointestinal symptoms.
  • Swelling or another suspected medication reaction.
  • Difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat requires immediate medical attention.

Swelling & Bruising

• Swelling is expected following surgery.
• Swelling may increase during the first 48–72 hours before gradually improving.
• During the first day:
  • Apply an ice pack to the outside of your face near the surgical area.
  • Apply for approximately 15–20 minutes at a time.
  • Follow with a similar period without ice.
• Some bruising may occur and generally resolves on its own.

Activity

• Rest following your procedure.
• Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and vigorous physical activity during the first few days or as directed by our office.
• Increased physical activity may contribute to:
  • Bleeding.
  • Swelling.
  • Discomfort.
• Gradually return to normal activity as healing allows.

Oral Care

Brushing

• Continue keeping the rest of your mouth clean.
• Treat the surgical site gently.
• Avoid directly brushing or disturbing the surgical site during the initial healing period unless specifically instructed otherwise.
• Gradually resume cleaning around the area as directed by our office.

Rinsing

• Do not vigorously rinse, swish, or spit during the first 24 hours.
• Beginning the following day, you may gently rinse with warm salt water unless instructed otherwise.
• If a prescription chlorhexidine rinse such as Peridex was prescribed, use it exactly as directed.
• Avoid vigorous swishing around the surgical site.

Diet

• Eat soft foods during the first few days.
• Good choices include foods that require minimal chewing.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Avoid chewing directly over the implant site.
• Avoid very hot foods or beverages while numb and during the initial healing period.
• Gradually return to your normal diet as comfort and healing allow.
• Avoid alcohol during the immediate postoperative period and while taking medications that should not be combined with alcohol.

Smoking, Vaping & Nicotine

• DO NOT smoke or vape following implant surgery.
• Avoid tobacco and nicotine during the healing period.
• Smoking and nicotine can interfere with healing.
• Tobacco and nicotine are associated with an increased risk of complications and implant failure.
• Follow the specific recommendations provided by our office.

Oral Pressure

During the early healing period:

• Do not drink through a straw.
• Do not spit forcefully.
• Avoid actions that create unnecessary suction or pressure within your mouth.

Nausea

• Some pain medications may cause nausea, particularly when taken on an empty stomach.
• When appropriate for your medication:
  • Eat a small amount of soft food before taking it.
  • Drink water with your medication.
• Contact our office if significant nausea or vomiting persists.

Sinus Precautions — IF APPLICABLE

Follow this section only if you were told that your procedure involved or was near the sinus.

• DO NOT blow your nose.
• If you need to sneeze, sneeze with your mouth open rather than trying to suppress it.
• Avoid activities that create significant sinus pressure, such as playing wind instruments.
• Follow these precautions for the period specifically recommended by our office.
• A decongestant or other medication may occasionally be recommended when appropriate.

Removable Appliances & Dentures

• Dentures or removable appliances may require adjustment to prevent excessive pressure on the implant or surgical site.
• You may be instructed not to wear a removable appliance for a period of time.
• Do not modify or adjust your denture or appliance yourself.
• Contact our office if your appliance causes pressure or discomfort over the surgical site.

Follow-Up Appointments

Follow-up appointments are important for evaluating healing and implant integration.

• Keep all scheduled follow-up appointments unless instructed otherwise.
• Non-dissolving sutures may need to be removed at a follow-up visit.
• Some implants may require an additional procedure after healing to:
  • Expose the implant.
  • Place a healing component.
  • Prepare the implant for the final restoration.

IMPORTANT — DO NOT:

• DO NOT chew while numb.
• DO NOT vigorously rinse or spit during the first 24 hours.
• DO NOT touch, pick at, or manipulate the surgical site.
• DO NOT chew directly over the implant site during early healing.
• DO NOT smoke or vape during the healing period.
• DO NOT use a straw during the early postoperative period.
• DO NOT perform strenuous exercise immediately following surgery.
• DO NOT attempt to adjust your denture, temporary restoration, implant component, or surgical site yourself.

When to Call Our Office

Please contact our office if you experience:

• Persistent or excessive bleeding that does not improve with firm pressure.
• Severe or progressively worsening pain.
• Swelling that continues to increase after several days rather than beginning to improve.
• Fever.
• Pus, drainage, foul taste or odor, or other signs of possible infection.
• Persistent numbness or altered sensation after the anesthetic should reasonably have worn off.
• An implant component, healing cap, temporary restoration, or appliance that feels loose.
• A significant reaction to a prescribed medication.
• Any other concerns about your healing.

Difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, or rapidly developing swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat requires immediate medical attention.

© 2026 John E. Sullivan DDS, P.C.

This document is the property of John E. Sullivan DDS, P.C. and is intended for use within this practice only.