Post-operative in Implantology

Pain and swelling

After the BSS procedure pain is mild or moderate thanks to the minimally invasive procedure. Ice is recommended in the first 24-48 hours, prescribed analgesics and rest. Swelling peaks at 48-72 hours and gradually reduces. Mild bleeding is normal.

After the implantology procedure with Bilateral Sinus Solution™ (BSS), pain is generally mild or moderate, well controllable with the prescribed medications. The minimally invasive procedure reduces tissue trauma compared to traditional techniques with bone grafts.

• First 24-48 hours: apply ice externally (15 minutes on, 15 minutes off) to reduce swelling
• Pain: take the prescribed analgesics (ibuprofen, paracetamol or specific anti-inflammatories)
• Swelling: mild swelling is normal, peaking at 48-72 hours and gradually reducing
• Bleeding: mild bleeding is normal; bite on a sterile gauze for 30 minutes if necessary

Diet in the first days

In the first days: only cold liquids in the first 24 hours, then soft and lukewarm foods until day 7, semi-soft in the second week. Avoid hot foods, alcohol, spicy foods, seeds and dried fruit. With the temporary prosthesis you can chew soft food from the day after.

In the first days after the procedure, it is fundamental to follow a specific diet to protect the implants and favour healing:

• First 24 hours: only cold liquids (water, cold tea, juices, smoothies)
• Days 2-7: soft and lukewarm foods (yogurt, puree, soups, scrambled eggs, soft fish, well-cooked pasta)
• Second week: semi-soft foods, avoiding hard, crunchy or sticky foods
• Absolutely avoid: hot foods (first 3 days), alcohol, spicy foods, seeds and dried fruit

With the temporary prosthesis applied with immediate loading, the patient can still chew soft foods from the day after.

Oral hygiene

Gentle but constant hygiene: first 3 days only chlorhexidine mouthwash, from day 4 soft brushing avoiding the sutures, after 7 days cleaning around the implants with interdental brushes. The sutures are removed after 10-14 days.

Oral hygiene in the post-operative period must be gentle but constant to prevent infections:

• First 3 days: do not brush the operated area; rinse with 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash 2-3 times a day, holding it in the mouth for 30-60 seconds
• From day 4: gentle brushing with a soft-bristle toothbrush, avoiding the suture area
• After 7 days: start cleaning around the implants and under the temporary prosthesis with interdental brushes or a low-pressure water flosser
• Sutures: removed after 10-14 days

Medications

The dentist prescribes antibiotics for 5-7 days (amoxicillin or clarithromycin), anti-inflammatories as needed and chlorhexidine mouthwash. Always follow the medical indications and avoid aspirin which increases bleeding.

Your dentist will prescribe a specific pharmacological therapy:

• Antibiotics: amoxicillin or clarithromycin for 5-7 days (antibiotic prophylaxis)
• Anti-inflammatories: ibuprofen or ketoprofen as needed for pain
• Mouthwash: 0.12% chlorhexidine for oral hygiene
• Ice: not a medication but the best natural anti-swelling remedy

Always follow your doctor's indications and do not take unprescribed medications. Avoid aspirin because it can increase bleeding.

Physical activity

First 3-5 days absolute rest, first week only light walks, second week moderate activity. After 14 days gradual resumption. Avoid intense efforts, weight lifting and contact sports for at least 2 weeks.

After the implant procedure, it is important to avoid activities that increase blood pressure in the head:

• First 3-5 days: absolute rest, no physical activity
• First week: only light walks
• Second week: moderate activity (light gymnastics, brisk walking)
• After 14 days: gradual resumption of all activities

Avoid intense physical efforts, weight lifting and contact sports for at least 2 weeks. Hypertension in the head area can cause bleeding or compromise healing.

Smoking

Smoking is the main enemy of osseointegration: nicotine reduces gingival blood flow by 30-50%. Smoking is forbidden in the first 7 days, reduce to a minimum in the first 4 weeks. Smokers have an implant failure rate 2-3 times higher.

Smoking is the main enemy of osseointegration. Nicotine reduces gingival blood flow by 30-50%, compromising healing and increasing the risk of implant failure.

• First 7 days: absolutely forbidden to smoke
• First 4 weeks: reduce to the indispensable minimum
• Ideally: stop smoking or drastically reduce permanently

Smokers have an implant failure rate 2-3 times higher than non-smokers. The Bilateral Sinus Solution™ (BSS) has a high success rate even in smokers, but smoking remains a significant risk factor.

Sleep

In the first 3 days sleep with the head raised on 2-3 pillows to reduce swelling. Preferably sleep on the opposite side of the operated area to avoid compressing the wound and favour correct tissue healing.

The sleeping position affects swelling and post-operative bleeding:

• First 3 days: sleep with the head raised (2-3 pillows) to reduce swelling
• Sleep on the opposite side of the operated area if possible
• Avoid sleeping on the procedure side to avoid compressing the area

When to return to the dentist

The standard control visits after BSS: suture removal at 7-10 days, intermediate control at 15-20 days, radiographic control at 1 month and 3 months, delivery of the definitive Circolare d'Autore at 6 months from the procedure.

Here are the standard control visits after the BSS procedure:

• 7-10 days: suture removal and first control
• 15-20 days: intermediate control and healing evaluation
• 1 month: radiographic verification control
• 3 months: control with radiograph
• 6 months: delivery of the definitive prosthesis (Circolare d'Autore®)

Long-term follow-up

After the delivery of the definitive prosthesis: clinical control and professional hygiene every 6 months, radiographic control every year. Immediately report pain, bleeding, prosthesis mobility or chewing difficulties for timely interventions.

After the delivery of the definitive prosthesis, the patient must undergo periodic controls:

• Every 6 months: clinical control and professional hygiene
• Every year: radiographic verification control
• Immediately report: pain, bleeding, prosthesis mobility, chewing difficulties

With correct hygiene and regular controls, the Bilateral Sinus Solution™ (BSS) implants and the zirconia-ceramic prosthesis last for decades.

The result after the procedure

The Circolare d'Autore® prosthesis

• 14 teeth per arch, including all posterior molars
• Zero fake gum: the teeth emerge from the natural gum
• Zirconia + layered ceramic, with registered trademark ®
• Custom-made: every prosthesis is a unique piece designed for the patient

Discover all the details on the dedicated page: Circolare d'Autore® — the definitive prosthesis without fake gum.