Post-surgical recommendations

Postsurgical recommendations

Inform patient about adequate actions after surgery. Leave around the clock emergency contact numbers in case of urgent complications.

Plan or delegate to the referring dentist postoperative recall visits, at day 1 or 2, day 8 - 14 and 4 – 6 weeks after surgery.

Bleeding, oozing

After surgery some oozing of blood at the surgical area is normal. Place gauze on the surgical area and advise patient to keep firm, continuous pressure on gauze throughout the day. Give patient some extra gauze to exchange gauze on an hourly basis. If bleeding does not stop, at latest the next day, patient should present to the clinic.

Healing abutment

If a healing abutment has been placed, explain patient that abutments will be visible in the mouth, also explain their function and positive effect on the adaptation of soft tissues to the implant/abutment.

Stitches

Inform patient about suture removal at recall 8 – 14 days after surgery. In case of resorbable sutures material inform patient, that stitches will dissolve within 7 – 10 days.

Swelling & cooling

To reduce swelling/pain, recommend patient to place an ice pack in a handkerchief (beware of skin burns) on the face in the surgical area, as soon as arriving home. Place an ice pack for 15 minutes, interleaved with 15 minutes rests, for the first 24 hours. Keeping the head elevated, also when resting/sleeping will help to reduce swelling.

Diet

Patient can start to drink, and eat soft and/or fluid foods after intervention, as soon as local anesthesia has worn off. Suitable foods are e.g. soups, mashed potatoes, etc. Food intake will also assist intake of prescribed medication. Food with hard, small consistency such as for example nuts, should be avoided, as they can get entrapped in the surgical site, and compromise healing or even cause infections.

In case patient needs to eat, as long as anesthesia is still ongoing, advise patient to make sure that food has an adequate temperature.

Advise patient to refrain for the first 2 days after surgery from strong alcohol drinks.

Oral hygiene

To assist in keeping the oral cavity and the surgical area clean and reduce the amount of bacteria, consider to prescribe an antiseptic mouth rinse (e.g. Chlorhexidine). Advise patient to rinse 2 to 3 times per day, starting the day after the surgery, and to rinse cautiously to prevent bleedings. Mouth rinses may be abandoned after 2 - 3 weeks. Brushing the (provisional) prosthesis gently can be started 3 days after surgery, trying to avoid the surgery site. Interdental brushes and electric toothbrushes can be prescribed after healing of the surgery site.

Activities after surgery

Advise patient to refrain from intense blood pressure influencing physical and sport activities for at least 3 days after surgery to prevent bleeding and minimize swelling. Avoid any activity which could expose your mouth and jaw to a blow or similar risks.

Other useful information & recommendations

• If numbness of tongue, lip, chin stays longer than 12 hours after surgery, notify doctor
• Do not forcefully spit for 2 weeks
• Do not smoke for 2 weeks, or quit smoking
• Do not use a straw for 2 weeks
• Do not forcefully blow nose and try not to sneeze, or sneeze with mouth open
• A slight elevation of temperature after intervention is normal. If temperature persists, notify practice. Analgesics medication (see above) can reduce temperature.
• In case of sore throat and painful swallowing this should cease within 2 to 3 days