After Abutment Placement
Post-Operative Instructions for Abutment Healing
The second stage procedure has been done to expose your implant and help to begin the process of maturing the gum tissue into what will eventually be a sulcus around your tooth. This initial abutment also allows your dentist easy access to the inside of the implant without additional surgery. It is important that you treat these posts as natural teeth in terms of cleaning and care. If you wear a denture over the area, we will modify this appliance so it can be worn sparingly until your new teeth/tooth is made. The following instructions will help you look after your new abutment over the next few weeks.
- Bite down on gauze for 45 minutes or until bleeding subsides.
- Do NOT vigorously rinse or touch the area.
- Maintain a soft diet or avoid chewing on the surgical area until the sutures dissolve.
- If you have any discomfort you may take Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
- If sutures are placed they may be self-dissolving or could require removal. We will advise you at the time of surgery which was used.
- Brush your teeth as you normally would, but avoid the surgical area until the sutures are removed or dissolve. While the sutures are present apply Chlorhexidine mouth rinse topically with a Q-tip/cotton swab.
We do not need to see you back right away unless there are any issues. It takes 1-2 weeks for the gingiva to mature and the inflammation from the sutures to resolve. You may proceed with the final restoration with your dentist after this initial 2 weeks unless otherwise directed.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at Waterville office of Mid-Maine Oral Surgery Phone Number 207-873-0117. After hours you will reach our answering service and they will page the surgeon and have him call you back.
