Quick Answer
How should I care for myself after implant surgery?
Take the prescribed medication as directed, and avoid alcohol for at least 1 week after surgery and smoking for the first month. After that, maintain your implant with interdental brushes and regular check-ups. Implants themselves do not get cavities, but about 22% of patients experience peri-implantitis; in one cross-sectional study, patients who kept up maintenance at least twice a year had 86% less peri-implantitis, and smokers have about twice the failure rate. Even if you have no discomfort, an inspection every 6 months is the most reliable form of care.
What should I follow during the early recovery period right after implant surgery?
Finish all prescribed medication and do not touch the surgical site. Avoid exercise and saunas for 2–3 days. Yeonhap Dental Clinic advises avoiding alcohol for at least 1 week after surgery and smoking for the first month, and if that is difficult, explains that you should greatly reduce the amount. Do not drink alcohol while taking prescribed medication. Brush as usual while avoiding only the surgical site, and when gargling, hold the liquid in your mouth and spit it out.
How should I care for my implant at home to prevent peri-implantitis?
Food trapped between the implant and the gum is where peri-implantitis starts, so use interdental brushes and dental floss every day. Bleeding, swelling, or worsening bad breath are early signs and should be checked even before your appointment. If you grind your teeth or clench, the risk of loosened screws and prosthesis fracture rises, so we discuss wearing an appliance.
What follow-up schedule does Yeonhap Dental Clinic use after implant treatment?
At Yeonhap Dental Clinic, the sequence is about 5 days of medication prescribed on the day of surgery, an infection check after 1 week, and a healing check at 1 month using a periapical radiograph, pain, and pus. Three months after the prosthesis is set, we check for residual cement and the bite, and after that we inspect the screws, bite, and peri-implantitis every 6 months. Scaling is done with a lukewarm-water scaler, and bite adjustment is done by the dentist directly. Detailed criteria are in Suwon implant aftercare and the implant lifespan column.
References
Derks J, Tomasi C. Peri-implant health and disease. A systematic review of current epidemiology. J Clin Periodontol. 2015. Monje A, Wang HL, Nart J. Association of preventive maintenance therapy compliance and peri-implant diseases: a cross-sectional study. J Periodontol. 2017. Monje A, et al. Impact of maintenance therapy for the prevention of peri-implant diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent Res. 2016. Chrcanovic BR, et al. Smoking and dental implants: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent. 2015.
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Before Your Visit
This article is general guidance for implant consultations. Whether treatment is possible and the actual cost may change after an oral examination and 3D CBCT diagnosis. If you have discomfort such as pain, swelling, or looseness, please come in for a consultation so we can check.