Implants Restored with a Transitional Crown

If your implant was restored with a plastic transitional crown (immediately stabilized or functioning technique). It is essential that the plastic splint not move. If movement of the splint is noted, contact us since it is of paramount importance that the splint be immobilized as soon as is practical. It is analogous to having a cast on a broken arm.

Bleeding

It is normal for saliva to be slightly streaked with blood. In order to stop active bleeding place a moist piece of gauze or a cold wet squeezed tea bag and apply pressure by biting on it for 30 minutes. If necessary, repeat this application of pressure. Keep your fingers and tongue away from surgical site.

Rinses

Do not actively rinse your mouth until the following day after surgery. On the morning following surgery, rinse mouth thoroughly with a mouth rinse such as Periogard or Listerine. Repeat this twice a day for 5 days.

Swelling

In some cases, puffiness and swelling may result and should not be a cause for alarm. Swelling may be kept to a minimum by holding a cold pack on the outside of your face, adjacent to the surgical area for the first 8 hours after your visit. Leave it on for 15 minutes, then off for 15 minutes.

Black and Blue

It is normal for some patients to become black and blue.

Denture

Avoid wearing dentures for as long as it is practical. It is essential that the dentures do not apply adverse pressure on the implants. Insertion of dentures too soon may jeopardize a successful healing process especially if they are used for mastication.

Diet

To prevent any inadvertent food particles from contaminating or injuring your surgical site, you should only have liquid and mashed foods around the surgical site during the first 2 weeks. Some examples are fruit juices, ice cream, soups, Carnation Instant Breakfast, custards, mashed potatoes, peas, corn, and any food mashed in blender.

Smoking

Smoking should be avoided as much as possible especially for the first 2 weeks.

Sleeping

Keep your head elevated with 2 pillows while sleeping on the night of surgery.

Medication

Following dental surgery, it is normal to experience some discomfort. If medication has been prescribed, take as instructed.

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Please note the following:

1. ALL MEDICATIONS MAY PRODUCE ALLERGIC REACTIONS AND/OR SIDE EFFECTS.
2. NARCOTICS MAY IMPEDE DRIVING, USING MACHINERY AND MENTAL ALERTNESS.
3. ANTIBIOTICS MAY NEGATE BIRTH CONTROL MEDICATIONS. USE ALTERNATIVE METHODS.

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Remember

Treat your implants as you would your natural teeth. Make sure that there is even pressure on your teeth when biting. If you experience extra force on your implant tooth, please contact your restorative dentist immediately for an adjustment. Otherwise, you could lose osseointegration of the implant.

Hygiene

For a few days, the gum tissue around the implant may be tender; this is normal. After 24 hours, use a cotton bud saturated with Listerine or Peridex to gently clean the gum tissue and the abutment until you can comfortably brush the area with your toothbrush.

If you have a transitional crown over the abutment do not floss this area as it may loosen the transitional crown; however, you may brush the area.

Discomfort

Most patients do not have discomfort after this procedure; however if you do, take your usual pain medications, i.e. Panadol, Ponstan, Tylenol, etc. as directed.

Diet

Eat your normal diet as soon as your gingival tenderness is gone. If you have a transitional crown, avoid "sticky" foods such as taffy, chewing gum, caramels, etc. as these foods may loosen or remove the crown.

Sutures

If you have sutures, they will dissolve in 15-27 days unless you were instructed to return for their removal.

Next Appointment

You should see your restorative dentist as directed to continue with the prosthetic phase of your implant restorations.

If your implant restoration is not being restored by us, then upon its completion, please return to us so that we may document your restoration for future evaluations.

If you have any concerns with your transitional crown loosening or coming off, please contact your restorative dentist.

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Concerns

In the unlikely event that your abutment (the titanium metal attachment) comes loose or out, replace it with finger pressure and contact us so that we can retap the abutment into the implant.

Try not to remove the abutment entirely from the implant, since your tissue will quickly close the opening requiring an additional surgical procedure.

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Bleeding

It is normal for the saliva to be slightly streaked with blood for about 1-2 days. If active bleeding occurs, place a piece of moist gauze or a moist tea bag over the extraction site and bite down for 30 minutes. Keep your fingers and tongue away from the extraction site.|

Swelling

Puffiness and swelling may occur at times; this is normal and is not a cause for alarm. Place an ice bag to your face for the first 8 hours. Leave it on for 15 minutes, then off for 15 minutes.

Rinses

Do not rinse in the area of the extraction for two full days after your surgery. Rinse gently with warm salt water (8 oz. warm water + 1/2 tsp. salt) after eating and several times between meals. Rinsing keeps the area clean, helps prevent infection and promotes healing.

Diet

A soft diet is advisable for the next two days. Drink cold fluids, i.e. juice and water. Avoid hot liquids for 24 hours. Do not drink with a straw for 24 hours.

Sleeping

Keep your head elevated with 2 pillows while sleeping on the night of your surgery.

Medication

Following dental surgery it is normal to experience some discomfort. If you have any pain, take two Panadol or two Advil every six hours. If medication has been prescribed, take as instructed.

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Please note the following:

1. ALL MEDICATIONS MAY PRODUCE ALLERGIC REACTIONS AND/OR SIDE EFFECTS.
2. NARCOTICS MAY IMPEDE DRIVING, USING MACHINERY AND MENTAL ALERTNESS.
3. ANTIBIOTICS MAY NEGATE BIRTH CONTROL MEDICATIONS. USE ALTERNATIVE METHODS.

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