Patient Information

After Implant Placement

Placement of an implant is a very straightforward procedure. Most of our patients are pleasantly surprised after the numbness has worn off. It is expected to be a painful and unpleasant treatment; we have experienced just the opposite.

  • Chew on the opposite side of your mouth from where the implant is placed. It is very important not to apply pressure to the surgical site and to allow the bone and implant to become one.
  • Keep the surgical site clean. Most patients will have no sutures after their implant is placed. Brush and floss normally. If sutures have been placed, please be cautious not to pull or tear them. The suture will become loose as days pass. This means the swelling is subsiding. Even though they may be loose, they are a very important factor in the healing process.
  • The cap that covers your implant will stick a little above your gum line. This cap may become loose or fall completely off. If this happens, call us so that we can tighten it down. We cannot twist too hard on the cap for fear of turning our implant. As the bone grasps onto the implant, we will be able to tighten it more.
  • You will be asked to come see us in a week or two so we can check the healing of the implant site. We will also see you 3-4 months later to evaluate the bone growth and insure that all is going as planned. Once we have determined that the implant is ready to have a crown, we will schedule you to have the final impression taken for fabrication of your implant crown.

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