Many of Dr. Kissel’s New York City patients who consult with him about dental implants are, understandably, curious about how they need to care for their new teeth after they are placed. It’s important to know if you choose Dr. Kissel for your implant surgery, you have a high chance of implant success because he only uses the most researched and tested systems on the market from Straumman and Nobel Biocare. But even the best of the best can fail if not properly cared for. Here are some tips from Dr. Kissel himself on how you can best care for your dental implants following your surgery, which increases your chances that your implants will properly fuse with your jaw bone and last a lifetime.
Immediately Following The Placement Of Your Dental Implants
After you leave Dr. Kissel’s New York City office with your new implants, you’ll be equipped with important aftercare instructions, which you should follow to a “T” to avoid post-op complications. Immediately following your procedure, you should:
1. Not Disturb The Surgery Site
Let nature take its process. Don’t rinse, spit, or touch your surgery site the day of your procedure. Not only will it be tender after your local anesthesia has worn off, touching the site with your finger or tongue increases the chance of you inadvertently introducing germs and bacteria to it, which could lead to an infection that may cause implant failure.
2. Eat A Proper Diet
Following your surgery, you should drink plenty of water and eat only soft foods for the first few days of your recovery. This will help promote proper healing as your implants work to fuse with your jawbone. Dr. Kissel will provide you with instructions on when you are free to return to your normal diet and enjoy those crunchy and chewy foods that implants allow you to enjoy.
3. Address Bleeding And Swelling
It’s completely normal to expect some bleeding and swelling in your gums after your surgery. In order to help properly care for this side effect, make sure your New York City home is well stocked with ice packs and gauze pads. Gently bite down with care on the gauze to help control bleeding, and apply ice packs to the sides of your face to reduce swelling.
4. Manage Your Discomfort
Dr. Kissel wants you to be as comfortable as possible following your dental implant surgery. For this reason, he’ll prescribe you pain medication as part of your aftercare process. Take your prescribed medication on schedule, and don’t miss a dose. Following dosage instructions will ensure you are as comfortable as possible during your recovery.
5. Rest
Resting is one of the most important things you can do after your implant procedure. You should also avoid more physical activities for several days after you receive your implants, as doing so could increase bleeding at your surgery site.
Practicing Proper Oral Hygiene After You’ve Healed from Surgery
After you’ve healed from your surgery, you should take care of your dental implants just like you take care of your natural teeth. To ensure the success of your implants, New York City patients should:
- Brush twice a day
- Floss once a day
- Use antibacterial mouthwash once a day
- Visit your general dentist twice a year for cleanings and checkups
- Avoid smoking, as smoking could lead to implant failure
- See Dr. Kissel immediately at the first sign that anything may be wrong with one of your implants – including if they feel loose or if you notice swelling at the gum after you’ve already healed from surgery
Call Dr. Kissel’s Office Today To Schedule Your Dental Implants Consultation
Now that you know what to expect when taking care of your implants, you’re ready to reach out to Dr. Kissel to schedule your dental implant consultation at his New York City periodontal office.
Dr. Kissel will examine you during your consultation to determine if these conditions are met and discuss your treatment options. Dental Implant patients at Dr. Kissel’s New York City periodontal office can be assured that he uses the most advanced and proven techniques to treat their dental issues. Dental implant surgery using microsurgical techniques allow for a better experience post-op for the patient due to greater accuracy and a more precise operation.
During this consultation, Dr. Kissel will perform the oral examination and tests that determine what type of dental implants you are eligible for, explain the dental implant procedure to you, and answer all your questions. If you’re ready to replace your smile with natural-looking, functional dental implants, then call Dr. Kissel’s office in New York City for a consultation at (212) 702-9088 or book online.
