Installation of dental implants is a popular method of restoring the aesthetics and functionality of the dentition, the demand for which is determined by the reliability of the results achieved. Of course, surgery is a complex process that is stressful for the human body. Strict adherence to medical recommendations in the postoperative period allows you to prevent complications and minimize the likelihood of developing negative consequences. The prescribed drugs also include a variety of antibiotics, the use of which prevents the development of inflammatory processes.
What not to do after dental implantation
First of all, you need to pay attention to the prohibitions during the rehabilitation period. Most of them act in the first one or two weeks when the wound is healing. Some actions can cause bleeding, suture rupture, and hematoma formation.
Forbidden:
- eat spicy, hard, hot or too cold food;
- touch the area of the wound or the installed implant;
- drink through a straw;
- chew on the side of the jaw where surgery was performed;
- use a toothbrush with stiff bristles;
- fly by plane, dive into the depths with scuba gear, especially when performing a sinus lift;
- smoke;
- drink alcoholic beverages;
- high physical activity: sports, heavy physical labor;
- overheat the body: go to the bathhouse, sauna, sunbathe on the beach, take a hot bath;
- supercool;
- ignore taking prescribed medications.
The rules are especially relevant after flap surgery, which is performed during the classical installation of implants. However, even with a minimally invasive procedure using one-stage protocols (one-step, basal), you should not neglect medical recommendations.
How to relieve swelling after dental implantation
After surgery, the soft tissue in the surgical area swells. This is a normal reaction of the body. Swelling can spread to the tongue, chin, cheeks, causing the face on the side of the installed implant to look swollen. In this case, the patient feels numbness, but normally it should last no more than two or three days. If the symptom lasts longer, it may indicate nerve damage. The most effective way to relieve severe swelling is a cold compress. You can use ice or frozen food from the freezer. Ice is wrapped in a towel and applied to swollen tissues for 10 - 15 minutes. Carry out the procedure several times a day. Do not overdo it with an ice compress, otherwise you can overcool the tissues.
You need to exclude foods that increase swelling from your diet. You cannot eat spicy, salty foods, add spices to your food, or drink coffee. For example, the latter product increases blood pressure, blood rushes to the head, swelling intensifies, and bleeding from the wound may begin.
If the swelling does not go away within three or four days, the pain does not subside, redness of the mucous membranes is observed, pus and fistulas appear, then these are symptoms of peri-implantitis. It is necessary to urgently consult a doctor. Self-treatment can worsen the situation, including implant rejection.
Antibiotics and other medications after dental implantation
Antibacterial drugs are prescribed to prevent the development of infection. Some doctors believe that you should only take antibiotics if you are at high risk, for example, if your immune system is reduced, you have chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract, periodontitis, or you have had several implants installed at once. However, many dentists insist on the need for antibiotic therapy.
For the purpose of prevention, broad-spectrum drugs are prescribed: penicillins, cephalosporins. The doctor can prescribe any available drugs: Lincomycin, Amoxiclav, Flemoxin, Tsifran ST. Antibiotics must be taken strictly according to the schedule, in the appropriate dosage.
To prevent or relieve inflammatory processes, ointments or gels for external use are prescribed: Metronidazole, Solcoseryl. The latter drug improves metabolic processes in tissues and promotes rapid healing of wounds.
In the first weeks of the rehabilitation period, it is recommended to rinse your mouth after eating with antiseptic solutions: Chlorhexidine, Miramistin and their analogues. You can prepare decoctions of medicinal herbs: oak bark, chamomile, calendula, sage.
Cost of antibiotics for implantation
The price of antibiotics after implantation depends on the drug, accompanying medications (to restore the gastrointestinal microflora) and how much to take. The minimum cost of packaging an antimicrobial agent, which is designed for 5 days, is 150 rubles. A full-fledged “post-implantation first aid kit” can cost 1000-2000 rubles, because it also includes other drugs - painkillers, antihistamines, vitamin complexes.
[1] Ushakov R.V., Tsarev V.N. Antimicrobial therapy in dentistry. Principles and Algorithms, 2022.
[2] Alfaro F.E. Bone grafting in dental implantology. Description of methods and their clinical application, 2010.
Author: Bespalov R. D. (Thank you for your help in writing the article and the information provided)
What you can and cannot eat after dental implantation
On the first day of surgery, you can eat after three or four hours, when the wound has healed. Food should be liquid or pureed, at a comfortable temperature. You should not eat foods that can injure the mucous membranes. The diet must be followed for at least three weeks.
During the recovery period you need to eat:
- soft or liquid food: you can puree foods with a blender, buy baby food in jars;
- foods rich in calcium and vitamins;
- warm food;
- drink plenty of fluids.
You cannot eat seeds, nuts, sour, salty, spicy foods, sweets, alcohol, coffee, hot or cold foods. Smoking is strictly prohibited.
How to recover quickly
It's no secret that antibiotics are serious medications and it is better not to take them unless absolutely necessary. After all, when they enter the human body, they destroy not only harmful, but also beneficial bacteria.
In order to quickly minimize the negative impact caused by their use, it is necessary:
- eat a balanced diet, enrich your diet with fruits and vegetables;
- drink a lot of clean drinking water without gas;
- take vitamin and mineral formulations;
- devote time to hardening procedures.
To improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, you should take medications with bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, and eat natural yoghurts.
When are sutures removed after dental implantation?
The date of suture removal is determined by the doctor, focusing on the condition of the gum tissue. Usually the procedure is prescribed after 10 - 14 days. If the wound does not heal well, this time can be increased to three weeks.
Sutures should not remain in the gums for too long, as this can lead to the development of inflammatory processes. Self-absorbing suture material does not need to be removed.
How to remove stitches:
- treat the oral mucosa with antiseptics;
- cut the thread stitches in half;
- remove the cut material with tweezers;
- antiseptic treatment is repeated;
- apply a sterile bandage.
Small wounds in the gums heal after one or two days. At this time, discomfort and pain may occur.
If the stitches come apart, they are removed immediately. This phenomenon usually occurs with severe inflammation.
How to brush your teeth after implantation
One of the most important issues concerns oral hygiene in the postoperative period. Teeth should be brushed carefully, avoiding the operated area. It is recommended to use a brush with soft bristles, which cannot injure the mucous membranes of the mouth. Hygiene procedures should be carried out in the morning and evening. When brushing your teeth, you should not forget to remove plaque from the tongue, palate and the inside of the cheeks.
In the first week after eating, it is recommended to rinse the mouth with antiseptics, and then with mouth rinses. When the wound has healed, you can use brushes, dental floss, and irrigators to clean your teeth.
Indications for the use of antimicrobial agents
Is it necessary to take antibiotics after dental implantation? Here everything depends on several factors - the extent of the intervention, the time of installation of prostheses on implants, the health of the patient himself, etc. Let’s take a closer look at the indications when it is necessary to take antibiotics after implantation (but let’s immediately make a reservation that you should take medications only as prescribed by the dentist):
- more than 2 implants are installed at the same time: for example, with complex techniques, from 3 to 14 implants can be placed on the dentition - and this means increased traumatism,
- One-stage implantation was performed: i.e. the implant was placed immediately after the removal of a tooth or root, around which there may be inflammation,
- immediate prosthetics are planned: in a situation where prostheses are placed immediately or 3-4 days after the surgical stage, it is necessary to completely eliminate the risk of infection and “help” the implants take root faster,
- osteoplasty[2] and/or sinus lifting was performed: when replanting the bone or raising the bottom of the maxillary sinus, it is also necessary to minimize the likelihood of inflammation,
- the patient has granulomas or cysts under the tooth roots: of course, they will be removed, but a small focus of infection may remain in the tissues,
- the patient has chronic diseases: for example, dental diseases - gingivitis, periodontitis, periodontal disease, stomatitis, osteoporosis, as well as diseases of the throat and nasopharynx,
- impossibility of carrying out high-quality oral hygiene: the maximum number of microbes is found in the mouth 12 hours after the previous cleaning. And if they are not removed, then the local immunity (already “working” so intensely after the operation) may simply not be able to cope with them - as a result, inflammation develops,
- weakening of general immunity or changes in hormonal levels: for example, if the patient is not in very good health, has recently suffered from an illness, or has diabetes mellitus in a compensated form. Women during menopause are also often prescribed a certain antibiotic after dental implantation.
There may be other (individual) indications for the use of antibiotics not only after, but also before dental implantation. This includes the already mentioned chronic diseases. The dentist can also prescribe antimicrobial agents a few days before the installation of implants - if tests in preparation for treatment showed a slightly increased content of leukocytes, or a large number of pathogens were detected in the smear. Patients who decide to transform their smile during the epidemic may be prescribed antibiotics and vitamins - which must be taken before dental implantation (1-2 days before). After the surgical stage, taking prescribed medications, as a rule, continues.
Why do headaches occur after dental implantation?
Surgery is accompanied by various ailments, including headaches. This is due to the activation of the body's immune system. In some patients, along with pain, body temperature rises.
Normally, the head may hurt for three days. At this time, you need to take painkillers. If the symptom persists for more than four days, it may indicate inflammation around the implant or an allergic reaction to metals.
If, in addition to pain in the mouth, there is a metallic taste, bitterness, sleep is disturbed, and constant weakness is felt, then you should consult a doctor.
Reasons for appointment
At the time of surgery, the microflora of the oral cavity is disrupted. The dentist is obliged to foresee the development of complications. In order to prevent problems with rehabilitation, the doctor prescribes antibiotic therapy. Antibiotics are prescribed in the following cases:
- poor oral hygiene, lack of care for implants;
- surgery in the presence of diseases or performing it in one stage;
- diseases of ENT organs;
- osteoplasty.
The selection of drugs is carried out solely on the basis of previously performed diagnostics.
Unpleasant sensations after installing a dental implant
Since the gum tissue is severely injured, the patient feels pain for several days. There may be a feeling of fullness and pressure. This is considered normal, since a foreign element was installed in the gum. Unpleasant sensations can persist for one, two weeks or longer, it all depends on the individual characteristics of the body.
Some patients complain that the installed chewing teeth put pressure on the tongue. This may be a subjective sensation, since after removal of the painters the implantation site was empty. Perhaps an error was made during the manufacture of the prostheses. To clarify the issue, you need to consult a doctor.
How long does it take for dental implants to take root?
The processes of osseointegration depend on various factors: the patient’s health status, implantation method, type, brand of implantation system. Conventional classical implants take root in the lower jaw within 3.4 months, in the maxillary region - 5.6 months, since the upper jaw bone is less dense.
Some premium implant models have a special coating that accelerates osseointegration processes. If dental structures are made of pure titanium, then healing occurs faster.
What else do patients ask about after implantation?
Since the installation of implants is a surgical operation, people are interested in many questions about the rehabilitation period.
- Does it hurt to remove stitches? The procedure is carried out after the wound has healed, so removing thin threads does not cause pain. If the patient experiences severe fear, the doctor may treat the suture area with an anesthetic gel or spray.
- Why is smoking prohibited after implantation? Nicotine constricts blood vessels, slows down metabolic processes, and impairs tissue nutrition. This negatively affects wound healing and implant healing. If the patient cannot quit smoking for a long time, the doctor has the right to refuse surgery.
- Why is Dexamethasone prescribed after implantation? The drug can be used as a powerful pain reliever. If the risk of inflammation is very high, then Dexamethasone is prescribed along with antibiotics. The drug quickly stops inflammatory processes and alleviates acute symptoms.
- How long does a tooth hurt after implant placement? Painful sensations persist for 3 - 5 days. If the pain is severe, you can take painkillers.
Side effects and what to do about them
Taking antibiotics can lead to side effects, which is absolutely undesirable after implantation, because the body has fewer free resources for their full engraftment. Let’s take a closer look at the list of common “side effects” (but let’s immediately note that they occur in a minimal number of patients):
- dry mouth, decreased appetite,
- nausea, abdominal pain,
- diarrhea or constipation,
- skin rashes,
- headaches, sleep disturbances,
- increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure,
- tinnitus, visual disturbances,
- impaired attention, anxiety.
If side effects cause discomfort, you should stop taking the medicine and contact your dentist to adjust your treatment. It is likely that the doctor will additionally prescribe the use of lacto- or bifidobacteria, prebiotics. If pronounced side effects occur - shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, swelling, severe nausea, hallucinations, loss of consciousness, anaphylactic shock, you should immediately seek medical help.
“After the implants were implanted, the doctor gave me a list of medications and told me what and how to drink. And he also said to be sure to take Suprastin. Firstly, it relieves swelling, and also prevents allergies to antibiotics from appearing (which makes the skin on my hands itchy). I was prescribed Tsifran to take for a week. It helped well, I have something to compare with. One day a tooth was removed and another medicine was prescribed. So there wasn’t much use for him.”
Mikhail, review from gidpozubam.ru
