Dental implants treatment advisory

Dental implantation is a surgical procedure that requires prior preparation and compliance with postoperative recommendations. High-quality implantation of a “new tooth” depends on the joint actions of the doctor and patient. Adhering to the doctor’s instructions for caring for the oral cavity, you reduce the possible risks and complications after dental implants services. After surgery, your body is subject to the influence of pathogenic bacteria, which do not have the best effect on the health of the whole organism. Postoperative therapy has a standard treatment regimen, which is adjusted by the dental surgeon depending on the situation. The treatment advisory helps to speed up the healing and recovery process.

Basic recommendations for oral care

Basic recommendations for oral care include: 

• Baths and rinses after each meal;
• Standard hygiene of other teeth – the use of toothpaste and floss;
• The use of drugs of general and local action;
• Reduction of implant loads at first;
• Refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol.

You can’t drink alcohol after dental implants. Alcohol-containing drinks have a negative effect on the whole body, and during the engraftment period, they can even provoke serious complications. For the work of the implantologist to have a positive result, you must refrain from drinking alcohol in the postoperative period. Surgical intervention often gives side effects, so you should not additionally burden your body.

You should refrain from smoking after surgical manipulations in the oral cavity too. Hot smoke and decay products of nicotine have a bad effect on the circulatory system, which provokes a slowdown in blood flow. That is why people with smoking addiction have an increased risk of developing inflammation and rejection of the implant.

Side effects

Adverse reactions are the norm for most patients. To facilitate the recovery after dental implants treatment, do not be afraid to ask questions about your health and follow the doctor’s recommendations. The presence and severity of side effects depend on the characteristics of the body and compliance with the rules for caring for the oral cavity after surgery. The main reactions that occur in the early stages after the procedure are:

• Soft tissue edema – appears a few hours after the operation; after three days, the swelling begins to subside
• Hematomas, bruises – a common phenomenon, disappears within 5 days
• Sucrose – can last up to 7 days; if saliva with an admixture of blood is secreted for more than one week, or there is heavy bleeding, consult a surgeon
• A slight increase in temperature in the first 72 hours after surgery
• Pain – passes after 1-2 days; if prolonged aching pain lasts for more than 3 days, it is necessary to inform the doctor
• Swelling after dental implants – with normal recovery, swelling subsides by 2-3 days; after complex operations – within a week 

Swelling occurs due to trauma to the soft tissues, the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, and blood vessels. To reduce the risk of infection, the doctor may prescribe the following treatment measures:

• Rinsing the oral cavity 6-8 times a day
• Taking anti-inflammatory drugs
• Applying a cold compress

Please note that rinsing is permitted 24 hours after surgery. Rinsing can be performed with warm saline, antiseptics or decoction of medical herbs according to the doctor’s prescriptions. 

Temperature after dental implantation

A slight increase in temperature to 37.5 degrees is a normal reaction to surgical intervention. The permissible mild malaise in the first 3 days, which does not bring discomfort. If you have a high fever, poor health, purulent discharge – these are signs of inflammation. It is recommended to take an antipyretic agent and make an appointment with the doctor since this condition requires immediate treatment.

Cheek swelling after tooth implantation

Often, after the installation of the implant, a swelling appears on the cheek. Here are the recommendations of doctors that will help reduce puffiness and prevent the inflammatory process:

• Take the medicines prescribed by your doctor
• During sleep, the head should be lifted
• Exclude spicy, hot and solid foods
• Use a blender to ease chewing
• Refrain from physical exertion, sports, and sharp bends
• Do not use the sauna, bathhouse, and public pools
• Avoid stressful situations and sudden changes in pressure (including flights)
• Conduct thorough oral hygiene
• Sleep on the opposite side of the implantation site

By following these simple guidelines, you will help your body accelerate the healing of a wound after dental implantation. 

Pain after dental implantation

Pain in the first days after surgery is a natural reaction, which, however, is not entirely pleasant for patients. To reduce sensitivity, do not give the implant a heavy load of solid food. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe painkillers. Often, patients with pain neglect brushing their teeth, which is very dangerous, since pathogenic microorganisms multiply in the oral cavity. 

Here are a few doctor’s tips on how to brush your teeth after implantation in order to reduce discomfort:

• Refuse from toothpaste and rinses with fluoride components;
• Use a new toothbrush with soft natural bristles;
• Treat teeth adjacent with an implant with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.

Pain or sensitivity in adjacent teeth that remain 3 days after implant placement indicates that the wound was possibly infected, so you should contact your doctor to revise the treatment plan.

To get the maximum effect after any medical procedure, it is important to follow medical advice. Dentists at Gallegos Family Dentistry tell patients in detail how to avoid complications and remain 100% satisfied with the result.