Dental Implant Surgical Instructions

Surgery can seem overwhelming for patients if they feel confused or unsure about their treatment. Our dentists have provided the dental instructions below to help patients prepare for their dental implant surgery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and their subsequent recovery.

Before Surgery

Patients should not ingest any foods for eight hours before their surgery, or after midnight preceding a morning procedure. Patients may drink clear fluids, such as water, sports drinks, apple juice, or black coffee, until six hours before surgery. Alcohol and tobacco use must be halted 24 hours before your treatment, and in the 24 hours following surgery. Post-surgery, our practice also recommends that patients avoid smoking for two weeks to prevent implant failure. Please consult with our dentists about whether any of your current medications will need to be stopped before your surgery.

Day of Surgery

For minors, a parent or guardian must be present during the appointment and all surgery patients must be driven home by a licensed driver. We also recommend that patients have someone to monitor them for at least 12 hours following the procedure.

When brushing your teeth on the day of surgery, take care not to swallow any fluids, such as water or toothpaste. Please remove any contact lenses, jewelry, dentures, cosmetics or nail polish before your appointment. Your clothing should be comfortable and loose, and shoes should also be comfortable and flat-soled.

After Dental Surgery

Avoid rinsing physical contact with the mouth or surgical site to prevent contamination. (This includes disuse of dental appliances for 10 days following their procedure.) Swelling and bleeding will likely occur, and all antibiotic and pain medication instructions should be followed exactly. Please refer to our dentists’ instructions concerning gauze pads and saltwater rinses to keep the site clean. Eat soft foods and be sure to keep yourself hydrated.

If you have questions about your implant procedure or recovery, call Advanced Family Smiles at 215-637-7474.