Implants

  • It is important to take all prescribed medications exactly as directed, call the office immediately with any questions or problems.
  • Take over the counter medications such as Tylenol or Advil as soon as possible to avoid soreness. After this, use as needed.
  • Gently rinse with warm salt water (1/2 tsp salt in 1 cup warm water) immediately after returning home. Do this every 2-4 hours. This will promote healing and decrease pain.
  • You will experience some discomfort after the procedure. It should be mild but rarely can be more significant. If it is not subsiding, or if you have prolonged pain, tingling, numbness, or any questions, please call the office.
  • Clean the implant and gums gently with a toothbrush and tooth paste.
  • Avoid hot or spicy foods for once week or until the gums have healed.
  • DO NOT lick the area or feel it with your tongue, fingers or any other object. It is a wound and must heal.
  • You may have sutures that need to be removed in 1-2 weeks.
  • If a denture, partial, or flipper has been placed, leave it in for 24 hours unless you are having significant pain. If so, remove it and call our office.
  • If a temporary has been placed, do not chew gum, hard or sticky foods on it as it may come off. If it does come off, don’t panic, it can be re-cemented. It is not an emergency. Clean the temporary as normal teeth, thread floss out from the side.
  • Remember to clean your dentures and/or teeth normally. Brush the implants as you would teeth.
  • It is important to have regular check-ups. Implants are like teeth and must be cleaned at home and professionally every 4-6 months. Our office will guarantee implants for three (3) years if you maintain regular checkups as prescribed and do not miss more than two in this period. Excellent oral hygiene is vitally important to the longevity of implants as well as natural teeth. Professional care is extremely important for cleaning and early assessment and treatment of possible problems.
  • When an implant is placed, the healing process takes approximately 3-8 months from time of extractions to finished product. An implant(s) will be placed and allowed to heal for several months. After that time you will be evaluated to see if the healing is complete.  If so, an impression will be taken for the crown. The impression will be sent to our laboratory for fabrication of the crown or denture. This takes approximately 2-4 weeks for crowns and 4-6 weeks for dentures (with 2-3 try-in visits).