Postoperative instructions after tissue grafting
By carefully following these instructions, you can reduce discomfort and help your mouth heal quickly and smoothly after your implant surgery. This also lowers the risk of complications.
For any problems or questions, please contact the medical office.
- Rest for the remainder of the day after your surgery.
- Avoid heavy work and travel for the next 48 hours. Do not do any strenuous exercise for one week after surgery.
- Healing is faster when you get enough rest.
- If you have been lying down for a long time, get up slowly to prevent dizziness.
- Stitches are usually removed after 7 days.
Swelling, Pain, Limited Mouth Opening, and Bruising
- Swelling, pain, difficulty opening your mouth, and bruising may occur after surgery
- The severity of the symptoms depends on the type of the grafting material and o the extent of the operation itself.
- These symptoms usually start right after surgery, get worse for the first 48 hours, and then slowly improve over the next 8 days. If you do not have complications, they should go away completely.
- If you have severe symptoms, a fever, or sharp pain, contact your doctor’s office.
- Take all medications exactly as your doctor instructed.
- Take your first pain medicine right after surgery, before the numbness wears off. Then, take it every 6–8 hours (up to 4 tablets in 24 hours) on the first day, as prescribed. After the first day, only take pain medicine if you need it.
- If you were prescribed antibiotics, take them at the exact dose and times your doctor told you.
- Some medicines can make you feel dizzy or tired. Rest helps.
- Some medicines can upset your stomach, so take them after eating unless your doctor says otherwise. If needed, you may have been given medicine to protect your stomach.
- Do not drink alcohol while taking medication. Alcohol can reduce how well your medicine works and may cause harmful reactions.
- If you have side effects such as dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, rash, itching, or swelling, contact your doctor’s office right away.
- It is normal for your saliva to be slightly bloody during the first 24 hours.
- Keep the gauze in place by biting down for 20–30 minutes after surgery.
- Minor bleeding after surgery is common and can be controlled with simple steps. Rinse your mouth with cold water or salt water to clean and find the bleeding spot. Press firmly on the area with one or more sterile gauzes moistened with cold salt water for 20 minutes. Repeat if needed. If bleeding does not stop, contact your doctor.
- Pain and irritation can make bleeding worse. Take pain medicine as instructed and only take a sedative if your doctor recommends it.
- Avoid alcohol and aspirin for up to 2 days after surgery, as both can cause bleeding and slow healing.
- Do not rinse your mouth, spit, or suck on the wound for 24–36 hours after surgery. This helps the blood clot form and prevents bleeding and delayed healing.
- Do not brush your teeth or use mouthwash on the day of surgery. Start using the prescribed mouthwash on the second day after surgery.
- The day after surgery, you can brush your other teeth as usual and clean between them. Gently clean the surgery area with your finger or a very soft toothbrush and toothpaste three times a day, then rinse with the prescribed mouthwash. Try to use your regular toothbrush on the surgery area after day 3. Minor discomfort and bleeding are expected at first.
- You can also rinse your mouth several times a day with warm salt water or chamomile tea for better cleanliness.
- If you have a temporary denture to cover the surgery area, avoid wearing it until the stitches are removed. If you must wear it, only do so when necessary and clean it thoroughly.
- The bone graft is often covered by a special membrane. Under no circumstances should it be exposed to the oral environment, as this significantly increases the risk of contamination and failure. Strict adherence to oral hygiene rules is extremely important. If any part of the graft or membrane becomes visible (such as white soft paper or small grains), contact your doctor immediately He will evaluate the problem and provide additional instructions to prevent further exposure and infection.
- For the first two hours, only drink a small amount of water or milk to take your medicine.
- After two hours, you can eat soft foods at a normal temperature, avoiding the surgery area as much as possible.
- Do not drink hot beverages for the first 24 hours, and do not use a straw.
- From the second day, gradually return to your normal diet, but avoid chewing on the operated side for 2–3 weeks. Chewing helps your mouth open faster and reduces swelling and bruising.
- Avoid very hot, acidic, spicy, crunchy, or foods with seeds (like chips, nuts, cereals, or lentils) until your mouth has fully healed.
For any problem or questions, contact your doctor’s office.
The information provided here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For any problem or concern, always contact your oral and maxillofacial surgeon.