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post-op instructions (implants)

ENDOSTEAL IMPLANTS: STAGE I – PLACEMENT

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Follow the General Instructions:

  • Sensitivity to cold on the natural teeth can occur, and will disappear gradually with time.

  • Swelling is to be expected.

  • DO NOT apply pressure to the implant or prosthesis with your tongue or fingers.

  • DO NOT eat sticky or hard foods.

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NOTIFY THE OFFICE IF:

  • Numbness persists after initial day of surgery.

  • The temporary becomes loose, or fractures.

  • Pain increases after several days.

  • The implant becomes loose.

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IMPORTANT: These instructions are in addition to the General Instructions.  If duplicated, the instructions on this page supersede all others.

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MUCOSAL INSERTS: STAGE II – UNCOVERING

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Patient Post – Operative Care & Instructions

  • Take prescriptions as directed.

  • Make sure your prosthesis remains completely seated or in place until your next appointment.

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NOTIFY THE OFFICE IF:

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  • The abutment is loosened.

  • The medication DOES NOT relieve the discomfort

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FINAL HEALING: POST-SURGICAL CONSIDERATIONS

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Maintenance
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Post-surgical provisionalization

If available, use the patient’s existing prosthesis as the provisional (interim) prosthesis.

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  • Relieve acrylic in area of implants.

  • Reline the prosthesis with tissue conditioning material.

  • The prosthesis MUST NOT contact or load the implant(s).  Premature loading of implants may create micromovements at the implant-to-bone interface.  This could ultimately result in implant failure.

  • It is recommended to observe the patient every two to three weeks to:

  • Evaluate the prosthesis

  • Evaluate soft tissue health

  • Confirm non-loading of implants

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Second Stage Surgery (uncovering)

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After the initial healing phase, second stage surgery is performed by the surgical doctor to expose the implant and to verify integration.  The implant Healing Screw is removed at this time with a Hex Driver and replaced with a Healing Abutment.  This is the first step in the restorative process.

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Bone Graft

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  • DO NOT spit for 3 to 5 days.

  • DO NOT apply pressure with your tongue or fingers.  The material is movable during the initial healing.

  • DO NOT lift or pull on lip to look at sutures (stitches).  This can cause undue pressure and tear the sutures.

  • You may expect to find small granules in your mouth for the first several days to weeks.

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NOTIFY THE OFFICE IF:
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  • A suture falls out within the first three days.

  • If a bandage that has been placed should loosen within the first three days.

  • If a large amount of granules are lost from the surgical site.

  • If your medications DO NOT relieve your discomfort.

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IMPORTANT: These instructions are in addition to the general instructions.  If there is duplication, the instructions on the page supersede all others.

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SINUS ELEVATION

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  • DO NOT blow your nose.

  • DO NOT smoke or use smokeless tobacco.

  • DO NOT take in liquid through a straw.

  • DO NOT lift or pull on lip to look at sutures (stitches).

  • If you must sneeze, do so with your mouth OPEN to avoid ANY unnecessary pressure on the sinus area.

  • Take your medication as directed.  INCLUDE SINUS MEDS- Sudafed, Afrin, or Claritin, Flonase, etc. depending on your case.

  • You may be aware of small granules in your mouth for the next few days.  This is NOT unusual.

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NOTIFY THE OFFICE IF:
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  • You feel granules in your nose.

  • Your medications DO NOT relieve your discomfort.

  • There is bloody discharge from your nose.

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IMPORTANT:  These instructions are in addition to the General Instructions.  If duplicated, the instructions on this page supersede all others.

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Please notify the office at (361) 992-3873, if you have ANY questions.  Usually a single explanation can resolve the situation.

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