You can expect some bleeding or redness in your saliva for at least 24 hours. Biting on gauze is not encouraged unless expressly encouraged to do so. This information will be provided at your procedure. It is also not uncommon to have some bloody nasal discharge following an upper jaw implant placement.

Make sure you consume some liquids after a general anaesthetic or IV sedation. You should also avoid hot food and drinks while your mouth is still numb.

You can consume food and drink freely according to your tolerance although, you may prefer to have soft foods for a few days following your procedure. If your diet becomes restricted, you should compensate for this by increasing your fluid intake. Try not to miss a single meal, however – you will feel better, have more strength, feel less discomfort and heal faster if you continue to eat.

Do not rinse your mouth for at least 12 hours after your implant placement, as rinsing interferes with blood clotting, proper wound closure and healing. Continue the prescribed mouthwash twice a day (morning and night), as well or use a warm salty water rinse after every meal for two weeks after your procedure. Avoid vigorous mouth washing – instead, rinse your mouth gently. 

Tooth brushing should continue as normal, with the exception of the implant site. After two to three days, we encourage you to brush the implant site, as this will assist with the breakdown of the stitches and ensure the area is clean. You can expect some mild discomfort and bleeding.

Expect to feel some pain and tenderness following an implant, which may peak two or three days post-surgery. It’s best to take pain relief before the numbness wears off. Your surgeon will advise if prescription pain relief is required, but over-the-counter medication like Nurofen or paracetamol is usually sufficient.

If you have a temporary partial denture, we recommend that you wear it as little as possible. If your prosthesis is a ‘suck down’, you should take it out during meals to avoid wearing it while chewing. You must leave dentures out for the first two weeks following bone-graft surgery to prevent damage to the wound and allow the swelling to resolve. 

If your denture touches the surgical area, we advise you to see your dentist or technician to have the denture adjusted.

Limit physical activity for the first three days after surgery, as overexertion may lead to post-operative bleeding and discomfort.

If sutures have been placed, these will usually dissolve within 10 to 14 days. Some sutures may become loose and fall out prematurely; however, this isn’t a problem and can be ignored.

It is not uncommon for patients to feel nauseous after an IV sedation or general anaesthetic. Feeling nauseous could also be a reaction to strong pain relief medication; if this is the case, halve your dosage, or take regular paracetamol instead. Usually, an anti-nausea medication has been provided to address this concern.

If vomiting persists, please call our office or your surgeon.