For Dental Implants and Hybrid Denture

The following information will help you be prepared for your upcoming implant surgery.

Pre-surgical instructions

  • Please have the prescriptions that were given to you at the consultation filled prior to your surgery appointment. (Antibiotics, pain pills and mouth rinse). Bring them to your surgery appointment.
  • Do not take any aspirin products or blood thinning medication for three days prior to your appointment. If needed, Tylenol or Advil (ibuprofen) may be taken.  Please consult with your Physician if you need to stop taking your Coumadin.
  • Eat before your surgery appointment; it helps the anesthetic to be more effective. Have a normal breakfast or normal lunch.  Taking sedative – Eating must be three hours prior to your appointment.  Start taking Halcion (sedative), two hours prior to your appointment.

Please avoid drinking any alcoholic beverages the night before and the day of your surgery to avoid additional bleeding.

Post-Surgical Instructions

Medications

You were given several prescriptions.  Have those prescriptions filled prior to your appointment.  (Antibiotics, pain pills and mouth rinse).   Please take your medications as directed.  Pain medications should not be taken with any alcohol or when operating a vehicle.  Do not take any pain medications on an empty stomach.  If you develop a rash, itching, or other unusual reactions, stop taking the medication and promptly call our office.  Because you will be taking a sedative (Halcion), you will need to have someone drive you to and from your appointment.

  • You may take up to 4 Advil (Ibuprofen) every 4 hours or 4 times a day, with or without your pain medication.  It will act as an anti-inflammatory.
  • Please take all antibiotics until they are all gone unless you develop unusual reactions and Dr. Robinson has advised you to do otherwise.

Swelling

Swelling should be expected.  Immediately following surgery, an ice pack should be applied to the outside of your face of the surgical area.  Alternate 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off throughout the entire day of the surgery.

Avoid strenuous physical activity for 2 days after surgery to reduce swelling and bleeding.  You will have an increase in swelling, bleeding and pain if too much activity is done.

PLEASE DO NOT SMOKE.  Smoking will delay the healing process and should be avoided as long as possible.

Expect the 3rd or 4th day after the surgery to be the worst in swelling.  Do not be alarmed if you have swelling at this time, it is normal.  By the 5th day the swelling should be down.  For bruising and swelling you may go to any health food store i.e (Whole Foods) and get Arnica Montana.  It will come in a pill or ointment form. You may get either one or both.

Bleeding

Expect minimal bleeding from the surgery site.  It will bleed.  Small amounts of blood may color your saliva the first few hours after surgery.  When saliva mixes with a small amount of blood it will appear to be more than it actually is.  To stop bleeding apply firm pressure to area for 20 minutes.  You may also place ice cold water in your mouth and gently swish around or hold it in for a few minutes.  If bleeding does not stop and it is bright red please contact our office immediately.

If your nose bleeds after treatment, do not blow vigorously.

Hygiene

Your normal hygiene routine will be interrupted for the week after your surgery.  You may not brush or floss the surgery site, leave it alone.  You may brush and floss the teeth not involved in the surgery.

We will have you come back 1 week after surgery for a post-op appointment.  We will remove your sutures and check the progress of healing.

Do not rinse your mouth the day of the surgery.  Allow 24  hours of healing before you start using the mouth rinse.  Do not rinse vigorously.  Rinse with the prescribed rinse (Peridex) only.

Do not use a Water Pik until Dr. Robinson tells you it is safe to again.

Flippers/Dentures

Your flipper or denture will be adjusted to fit over your new implants.  We ask that you keep it out as much as possible for the first week after your surgery; it may slow down the healing of surgery site.  Please do not try to wear it if it has not been adjusted or relined.

Diet

You will want to use care when eating.  Softer foods are strongly recommended for the first 5 – 7 days after the surgery.  Do not eat foods that require heavy pressure for chewing.  Please try to chew on the opposite side as much as possible.  Please avoid foods that are hard, sticky, or spicy.  Colder and lukewarm foods are best 24 hours after the procedure; hot foods will make area bleed more.  Do not drink through a straw for at least 2 days.

Acceptable foods are:

Yogurt, eggs soups, smoothies, pasta,  oatmeal, mashed potatoes, cheese, ground beef, ground chicken, ground turkey, fish, cottage cheese, Ensure drinks, Boost drinks, Myoplex Protein drinks, ice cream, pudding, applesauce, juices and lots of fluids.

Foods to avoid:

Popcorn, nuts, seeds, hard candies, apples, crackers, chips, hard breads, steak.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the office and ask to speak to an assistant.  If we are not in the office you may call Dr. Robinson at home or on his cell phone.  Please do not hesitate to call with any questions.

Office: Steven D. Robinson, DDS Phone Number 775-827-3302, Cell: (775) 232-6345