• Do NOT use tobacco products, straws, alcoholic drinks or alcohol-based mouthwash, for the first 5-7 days as these can dissolve blood clots & cause healing to slow. Minimal bleeding is expected after implant surgery. Bleeding may continue for several hours. The best way to stop bleeding is to fold 2 pieces of damp gauze over the extraction site & gently bite for 30-60 minutes making sure pressure is being applied to the extraction site, keeping your head elevated. If bleeding continues, use gauze for an additional 30 minutes. Pink or blood-tinged saliva may be seen for several days following the surgery & does not indicate a problem. The sutures & synthetic blood clot may last 2 to 3 days & should be left alone. You will be asked to return to the office for a 2-3-week follow-up appointment. Any sutures remaining at that time may be removed at the surgeon’s discretion. Do not pull or cut the sutures yourself.

• Swelling is the body’s normal reaction to surgery & healing. The swelling will not become apparent until 24 hours after surgery & will not reach its peak for 2-3 days. After this time, the swelling should decrease but may persist for 7-10 days. Swelling may be minimized by the immediate use of ice packs. Apply the ice packs to the outside of the face 20 minutes on & then 20 minutes off while awake for the first 24 hours. After 48 hours, begin use of a warm, moist compress to the cheek. Use in conjunction with the prescribed Ibuprofen.

• Unfortunately, most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. If you do not have an allergy to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil) we recommend taking this prior to the local anesthetic wearing off. More severe pain may require narcotic pain medication. While taking a narcotic pain medication you may not drive or operate mechanical machinery. The prescribed pain medication will make you drowsy. Once you feel like you can stop the narcotic, use Ibuprofen & Tylenol together as needed. All medication should NOT exceed the recommended dosage. Take all prescriptions as directed.

• For the first 48 hours, you should rest and relax with no strenuous physical activity. After 48 hours, you may resume activity as tolerated.

• Implants take 10 to 12-weeks to integration to bone. At the 3-4 month after surgery re- eval appointment we will determine if the implant (s) is stable & ready to proceed with the final impression to begin fabrication of permanent teeth. Implant crowns/prosthetic will not be ready to deliver at this follow up appointment. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the office: 865-288-0926 

*Emergency/ After hours text or call: 865-440-2427*