Patient Aftercare Instructions (Implant/Bone Graft)

Patient Name: [Patient full name]

Date of Birth: [DOB]

Procedure Date: [Procedure date]

Procedure(s) Performed: [implant placement / bone graft / sinus lift / extraction with immediate implant / combination]

Site(s): [Location in plain terms, e.g., "upper left molar area"]

Treating Clinician: [Clinician name and credentials]

Clinic Name: [Clinic name]

Office Phone: [Office phone number]

After-Hours/Emergency Contact: [After-hours phone or on-call instructions]

Most Important Instructions (First 24 Hours)

• Control bleeding: Bite on folded gauze with firm, steady pressure for 30–45 minutes. Replace as needed. Keep pressure continuous. Do not chew on the gauze.
• If bleeding increases: Moisten fresh gauze or a tea bag and apply firm pressure for another 45 minutes. Keep your head elevated.
• Do not rinse, spit, or use straws for the first 24 hours. This can dislodge the blood clot or graft.
• Do not smoke or vape. Avoid all nicotine products. They slow healing and increase the risk of implant or graft failure.
• Pain control: Start your pain medication as directed [right away / when numbness starts to wear off]. Take it on schedule for the first day unless told otherwise.
• Cold packs: 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off while awake to reduce swelling.
• Protect the area: Do not touch the site with fingers or tongue. Do not pull your lip or cheek to look at it.
• Sinus precautions: If you were told you have sinus precautions, see that section below. (Include only if sinus precautions apply.)
• Call us if: Bleeding soaks through gauze for more than 2 hours, pain is not helped by medicine, or you have questions.
• Call 911 if: You have trouble breathing, facial or throat swelling, chest pain, or uncontrolled bleeding.

What to Expect During Healing

Normal

• Mild bleeding or pink saliva for 24–48 hours.
• Swelling that increases for 2–3 days, then improves.
• Soreness and jaw stiffness, especially in the morning.
• Bruising of the skin or gums.

Not Normal – Contact Us

• Swelling that worsens after day 3 or spreads to the eye or neck.
• Fever or chills.
• Pus, foul taste, or bad odor from the site.
• Heavy bleeding that does not slow with 45 minutes of firm pressure.
• Hives, rash, wheezing, or facial/neck swelling (possible severe allergy—call 911 if severe).
• Numbness that lasts longer than expected or gets worse.
• Loose healing cap, loose stitches, or any implant movement.

Day-by-Day Care Guide

Today / First 24 Hours

• Keep gauze in place with firm pressure as instructed. Change as needed.
• Use cold packs to reduce swelling (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off).
• Eat soft, cool foods: yogurt, smoothies with a spoon (no straws), mashed foods, scrambled eggs.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids and alcohol.
• Rest. Keep your head elevated on 2 pillows.
• Do not brush the surgical area today. Do not rinse or spit.
• Take your medications as prescribed.

Days 2–7

• Begin gentle salt-water rinses if instructed: 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 oz warm water, 2–3 times daily. Let it fall from your mouth; do not forcefully spit.
• Continue a soft diet. Chew on the side away from the surgical site.
• Brush other teeth normally. Gently clean near the site with a soft brush as instructed. Do not scrub stitches or the healing cap.
• Limit physical activity. Avoid bending, heavy lifting, and strenuous exercise.
• Use cold or warm compresses as directed for comfort.
• Avoid smoking, vaping, and alcohol.

After One Week

• Slowly return to your normal diet as comfort allows. Continue to avoid hard, crunchy, or seedy foods until cleared.
• Continue gentle cleaning around the site. Follow any special brush or rinse instructions.
• Resume normal activity as tolerated, unless told otherwise.

For Bone Graft Patients (Include only if a bone graft was placed.)

• Protect the graft. Do not press on it with your tongue or finger.
• Do not use straws for at least 1 week unless told otherwise.
• Do not wear or adjust removable dentures or partials over the graft unless your clinician approved and adjusted them.

Your Medications

[List each prescribed medication with name, purpose, dose, and schedule] (If no new medications were prescribed, write: "No new prescriptions were provided today—continue your usual medications unless otherwise instructed.")

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Do not exceed a total of 3,000 mg in 24 hours unless your clinician specifically instructs otherwise. Check all labels—many pain medicines contain acetaminophen (APAP).
• NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen): Take with food. Do not combine multiple NSAIDs. Avoid if you have ulcers, kidney disease, or are on blood thinners unless approved by your clinician. (Include only if NSAID prescribed.)
• Opioids: Do not drive, drink alcohol, or operate machinery. Use the smallest amount needed for the shortest time. Store locked away. Dispose of unused pills at a take-back site or per local guidelines. (Include only if opioid prescribed.)
• Antibiotics: Take as directed until finished. Call us and stop if you develop rash, hives, swelling, or trouble breathing. (Include only if antibiotic prescribed.)

Sinus Precautions

(Include this section only if a sinus lift was performed, the sinus membrane was involved, or sinus precautions were explicitly indicated. Otherwise, remove this entire section.)

• Do not blow your nose for [number of days per clinician instruction]. If you must sneeze, keep your mouth open.
• Avoid straws and forceful spitting.
• Avoid heavy lifting, bending, or straining.
• Call us urgently if you notice air or liquid passing between your mouth and nose, worsening one-sided sinus congestion, foul drainage, fever, or nosebleeds beyond mild spotting.

Follow-Up & When to Call

• Your next appointment: [Follow-up date, time, and location, or scheduling instructions]
• Call our office during business hours for questions about stitches, mild medication side effects, or diet.
• Call us urgently (same day) for fever, worsening swelling after day 3, pus or foul taste, persistent bleeding, severe pain not improving with medicine, or loose implant parts.
• Call 911 or go to the ER for trouble breathing, facial or throat swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, chest pain, or severe allergic reaction.