Dental Implant Aftercare

Dental Implant Aftercare

A Note About Your Healing

Dental implants are designed to provide a strong, long-lasting foundation for your new tooth. The weeks following surgery are an important part of that process. This guide provides information to help protect your implant while it heals.

Your Implant Timeline

Day of Surgery — Implant Placement

Your dental implant is placed into the jawbone. Follow your post-operative instructions carefully and protect the area while initial healing begins.

About 2 Weeks — Healing Check

You’ll have a follow-up appointment to make sure the surgical site and implant are healing appropriately.

Around 3 Months — Final Implant Check + X-Ray

An X-ray will be taken and the implant will be evaluated to make sure it has healed and integrated properly.

Your Next Step — Your New Tooth

Once Dr. Lora confirms that your implant is ready, you’ll return to your restorative dentist to begin your final crown.

Why the Wait?

Your implant may feel stable when it is placed—but it isn’t finished healing yet.

Over approximately 3 months, your bone grows around and attaches to the implant through a process called osseointegration, making it strong enough to support your new tooth.

Osseointegration

Your implant continues healing beneath the surface as the bone forms a strong connection with it.

Continue to avoid hard chewing directly on the implant during this time.

Is My Implant Supposed to Be Visible?

Either can be completely normal.

Sometimes your implant will be visible through the gum tissue while it heals. Other times, Dr. Lora may intentionally cover the implant beneath the gum tissue to protect it during healing.

If your implant is covered, we will uncover it with a simple procedure using local anesthesia at your final implant follow-up when appropriate.

The First 24 Hours

Medications

• Take medications before the numbness wears off.
• Take prescribed medications.

Rest

• Keep your head elevated.
• Avoid strenuous activity.
• Get plenty of rest.

Smoking

• No smoking or vaping.

Swelling

• Use ice packs for 20–30 minutes on and 20–30 minutes off for the first 24–48 hours.
• Swelling typically peaks around days 2–3.

Bleeding

• Bite down firmly on gauze for 30–60 minutes, as needed.
• Replace gauze as needed.
• Slight oozing is normal during the first day.

Eating & Drinking

• Choose soft foods for the first 4–5 days.
• Stay hydrated.
• Even when you begin returning to a normal diet, avoid biting or chewing hard or crunchy foods directly over your implant while it heals.

Avoid foods such as:

• Nuts
• Hard candy
• Popcorn
• Chips
• Seeds
• Other hard or crunchy foods

If your implant is on one side of your mouth, do your best to chew on the opposite side during the healing period.

If you have implants on both sides of your mouth, you may need to maintain a softer diet for a longer period of time.

Keeping Your Mouth Clean

Brush Gently

Brush gently, starting the day of surgery, avoiding the surgical sites for the first few days.

Mouth Rinse

Beginning the day after surgery:

• Use your prescribed mouth rinse twice daily.
• Gently swish and spit—do not rinse vigorously.
• Continue this for one week.

After One Week

If the implant is visible through the gum tissue:

• Dip your toothbrush into the prescribed rinse.
• Gently massage/clean around the implant as instructed.

If the implant is covered by gum tissue:

• Continue gently swishing and spitting with the rinse for one additional week.
• Do not attempt to brush or expose the implant.

Stitches

Your stitches are dissolvable and typically fall out in about one week.

Protect Your Implant

Your implant may feel completely fine long before it has finished healing. Continue protecting it even when you are no longer sore.

Avoid hard chewing directly on the implant during the healing period.

When to Call Us

Call the office or seek immediate medical attention if you experience concerning symptoms or complications.

After-Hours Questions

For questions after hours, contact the office to speak directly with Dr. Lora.