Post-Op Information

Congratulations on making the decision to improve your quality of life with Dental Implants GPS!

The placement of implants is a highly sophisticated and highly technical procedure. It is essential that you follow this “before” and “after” treatment care routine for the long-term success of your GPS Smile. These guidelines will help you understand important instructions in the surgical process.

Please notify the office if you have any questions or concerns.

Preparing for Your Surgery

The surgery typically takes 2-3 hours. Surgery and delivery of temporary teeth can last 4-8 hours. An assistant will be available to help you while you wait for your teeth to be delivered. If you arrive at the Center the day of your surgery and you have not followed the pertinent instructions below, we will have to reschedule your surgery, so please read them carefully.

Prior to Surgery Day

DO discuss your morning medications with your Doctor prior to surgery.
DO pick up and take your prescriptions as directed three days prior to your transformation day.
DO call our office if you have a head or chest cold, sore throat, or other illness.

Surgery Day

DO NOT eat or drink anything eight hours prior to surgery, NOT EVEN WATER. Failure to follow this instruction can be life-threatening!
DO take morning medications with a small sip of water.
DO wear a loose, short sleeve shirt, comfortable pants, closed-toe shoes.
DO bring an extra set of clothing on your transformation day.
DO remove jewelry and contact lenses.
DO NOT wear lipstick or heavy makeup.
DO NOT wear fingernail polish or acrylic nails. Remove acrylic nails and nail polish.
DO arrive 30 minutes prior to your appointment time.
DO have a responsible person drive you to your appointment and drive you home. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY CAUSE THE PROCEDURE TO BE CANCELLED/RESCHEDULED.
DO arrange to have someone stay with you at home for up to 24 hours after your appointment.
DO NOT operate heavy machinery for 24 hours following surgery.

After Your Surgery

It is important to understand what needs to be done after your extractions, implant placement, and delivery of prosthesis. A member of our clinical team will call to check in on you the night after your surgery. Please familiarize yourself with the “After Your Surgery” instructions below before your surgery so that you are prepared.

The First 24 Hours After Surgery

DO anticipate numbness in your lip, tongue ,and cheek up to (24) hours. Be careful not to bite numb areas.
DO avoid hot food and drink while you are still numb.
DO anticipate oozing or intermittent bleeding from the surgery site. It is common to have a nose bleed during this period.
Do NOT stay alone, drive, operate machinery, make critical decisions, or care for children if you received IV sedation or are taking prescription pain medication, for the next 24 hours. The medication given to you in the IV and the prescribed pain medication can make you feel dizzy and impair your judgment.
DO have someone help while walking, climbing stairs, or using the restroom during this time.
DO sleep in a sitting up position for the first 1-3 days.
DO have someone at home with you to assist for the first 24 hours.
DO apply ice to the treatment area, alternating 30 minutes on, and 10 minutes off. Do this for the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery.
DO anticipate bruising and swelling. It is common and may surface 1-3 days after surgery and may last between 1-3 weeks.
DO call the practice if you experience any extreme pain or redness.
Call 911 immediately if you believe you may have a medical emergency, or seek emergency care.

After Procedure Expectations

In order to prepare you for your transformation, we have listed a few things that are considered “normal” and expected after surgery.

What to Expect After Your Transformation Day

Biting your tongue, cheeks, or lips after surgery:
Your body and musculature are adapting to a new set of teeth, so it takes your tongue and face muscles some time to figure out the new boundaries. This is normal and should subside as your body becomes acclimated.
Changes in speech:
It is normal to have some changes in certain sounds as your body gets used to your new teeth. Speech may take some time to re-adapt and will improve. We recommend reading slowly out loud after surgery in order for your body to become acclimated. Utilize the recommendations in the “GPS Speech Solutions” section.
Space under your prosthesis:
The day after surgery your teeth will fit intimately with your gums. However, after your gums heal and recontour, the initial swelling subsides. This may cause a slight gap between your gums and the prosthesis. This is normal during the healing process. Be sure to clean this area very well with the provided water flosser.
Lack of molars or back teeth:
The temporary teeth may have a shorter extension in the back due to the structural integrity of the temporary material. This will also reduce any diagonal forces on the implants, which can lead to failure and increased breakage. The final prosthesis will be a stronger material and will be able to withstand first molar occlusion for proper mastication of your food, and will fill in your smile wonderfully.
The fillings or “plugs” in the access holes can come out:
The access holes to the prosthetic screws are filled with a putty-like material while you are healing. This is to block food from being trapped in the access holes while you eat. If they do come out while using your water flosser or eating, there’s no need to become alarmed; it will not compromise your treatment at all. You are welcome to come back into the office to have it replaced.
The temporary teeth feel “bulky”:
This is a normal response to teeth replacement. The sensation your tongue, cheeks, and muscles have in response to your GPS teeth is different from the feeling of touching your teeth and gums. Even when the GPS teeth are the same size or smaller than your teeth and gums were, they may feel bigger because they are prosthetic. Our doctors and design team have made your GPS smile to precisely fit your face and intra-oral anatomy. With a little healing and adaptation time, the sensation will feel normal again.

Patient Home Care

Dental Implants GPS wants to ensure you have all the information you need when you get home to properly care for your GPS Smile. Please follow the guidelines listed below, and as always, feel free to reach out to our team if you have any questions.

Caring for Temporary Teeth

Following surgery you will use Peridex™ medicated mouthwash for the first two weeks. After 2 weeks you can start to clean your temporary bridge(s) twice daily by rinsing with an alcohol free mouthwash such as Listerine® - Alcohol Free. You may also gently brush the gums with a toothbrush that has been dipped in the alcohol free mouthwash. It is NOT recommended to use toothpaste at all on your temporary teeth. Stitches typically dissolve in approximately 4-6 weeks.

Waterpik®

You will be given a Waterpik® water flosser to ensure the areas around and underneath your implant bridge are clean of food or debris. You will find the Waterpik® an easy, necessary tool in your new maintenance routine.

When using the Waterpik®, be sure to keep your lips closed and point the tip at the underside of your teeth; never point it straight at your gums. Using the Waterpik® directly on your gum tissue can be uncomfortable. Use the highest setting that feels good to you, and work the tip all around, both from the inside and outside of your teeth. Try to get any and all debris off your teeth.

Home Care is important!

Maintaining Your New Smile

Taking care of your GPS smile

Finally getting your GPS Smile can feel like a dream! Especially after the final delivery of your arches. The structure and durability of your GPS implants will allow you to eat anything you would normally eat with a full set of healthy, natural teeth. And even better, you’ll never again need to worry about cavities, root canals, or crowns! But just because the teeth can’t get cavities anymore doesn’t mean you don’t need to care for them. Similar to your natural teeth, there are things you should do to help you maintain a beautiful and healthy smile!

So here are our Top 5 Tips for Implant Maintenance!

Brush your teeth
Now, you may be thinking, “These teeth don’t decay—so why do I need to brush them?” Even though your GPS Smile doesn’t get cavities, it still needs regular cleaning just like natural teeth. With dental implants, it’s true that you’ll never have to worry about tooth decay, but plaque and calculus can still build up if you don’t brush daily.

We do NOT recommend using toothpaste on your new teeth. Most toothpastes contain fluoride or whitening agents that are not needed, and even “natural” brands can leave a film that makes your smile look dull or stained.

Instead, dip your toothbrush in mouthwash for a fresh, minty clean while gently brushing away debris. Your water flosser is the real hero in keeping your smile and gums healthy—use it daily to flush out bacteria and maintain your long-term results.

Use your Waterpik®
A Waterpik is a GPS patient’s best friend. The high pressure flow of the Waterpik® (or water flosser) will clean the hard-to-reach places where food could get trapped between your gums and your bridge. It’s best to use this twice a day, most importantly after meals.
Wear your night guard
A night guard is like a retainer, but built with a thicker and stronger material. Wearing a night guard will help protect your implants and bridge from the grinding and jaw-clenching you may do in your sleep. The guard can be worn on the top or the bottom, depending on the placement of your implants and what’s comfortable for you.
Keep your dental cleaning appointments
The rule of thumb for dental hygiene is to get 2 dental cleanings a year (one every six months) with your dentist. These appointments are even more important now that you have dental implants. Your dentist is able to clean your teeth more thoroughly than you (even the dark, hidden places only popcorn kernels dare venture). They’ll also check the health of your gums and the integrity of your implants and bone.
Avoid tobacco products
Smokers beware! Tobacco inhibits blood flow to the tissue in your mouth, which can cause a whole array of health issues. Implant success rates in non-smokers are 97-99% and 87-89% in smokers.

Exam and dental cleanings

As part of your initial investment, Dental Implants GPS will perform your 6-month exam, cleaning, and radiographs after the final delivery of your prosthesis.

Medications

Pre-Surgery:
Bromelain: Take four 250mg tablets the night before surgery (pick up at your local vitamin shop).

Post-Surgery Recovery:

Anti-inflammatory
Inflammation is an essential part of the healing process. Unfortunately, it brings with it pain and swelling. Anti-inflammatory medications have the ability to reduce pain, swelling, and temperature. It is essential that you take these medications as prescribed on a regular schedule to obtain maximum benefit. Examples of anti-inflammatory medications are: Ibuprofen (MOTRIN®, Advil®), Ansaid and Naprosyn (Aleve®), and Medrol® Dosepak™. Please note: If you have been given a Medrol® Dosepak™ (Methylprednisolone), you will need to start the morning of your surgery AFTER your procedure. Contact your doctor with any questions you may have.
Recovery Aid
Arnica Montana 200C (Homeopathic Pellets): Used for bruising, post-surgery recovery, and soreness. The dosage is 2-3 pellets every few hours as needed, usually taken sublingually.
Antibiotics
You may be prescribed an antibiotic as part of your post-surgical treatment. Many antibiotics interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills. It is important that you take antibiotics on a regular schedule and until completely used. In most cases you will start your antibiotic 3 days before the surgery. Contact your doctor with any questions you may have.
Prescription Mouth Rinse
You will be prescribed a mouth rinse and you will start it 3 days before surgery. It is an antiseptic mouth rinse that keeps bacterial count in your mouth lower prior to surgery. You will continue to use this for the first 2 weeks following surgery to keep the areas clean and healthy.

Analgesic
There are many medications available to help decrease or eliminate pain. These medications can have side effects, which include, but may not necessarily be limited to, alteration of reflexes, coordination, sedation, judgment, and thought processes in general. It is recommended that you refrain from operating automobiles, heavy equipment, or doing things that require concentration. Always take your medication(s) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Occasionally, patients report that the medication is “not strong enough.” If this occurs, we suggest you try taking an anti-inflammatory medication in combination with the pain pill, rather than taking two pain pills or taking those more frequently. Some individuals may encounter nausea with this group of medications. Taking medications with food can minimize this. If you continue to have these symptoms, you may choose to discontinue use of these analgesics. Quite often, the anti-inflammatory medications will manage the pain adequately. Contact your doctor with any questions you may have.

Soft Diet

While you are healing from your implant surgery, it is imperative that you adhere to a nutritious, soft diet for 6 weeks to 3 months following surgery.

Rule of Thumb: Anything you can cut with the side of a plastic fork or is “mash-able” between the fingers of a fork is soft.

We have listed a few suggestions below, along with a couple fun recipes to try!

Well-cooked pasta
Ground turkey
Ground beef
Beans
Scrambled eggs
Pancakes
Cottage cheese
Soft casseroles
Rice
Yogurt/frozen yogurt
Smoothies/shakes/protein shakes
Tofu
Flaky fish
Muffins
Crock Pot cooking

Soft Diet Recipes

GPS Speech Solutions

How Speech Works

Speech is a function of the whole mouth: the tongue, lips, jaw, muscles, alveolar (bony) ridge, hard and soft palates, and teeth. The tongue is the main player, as it is involved in nearly every sound. The other oral structures are used as needed for specific speech sounds.

What to Expect

Your new GPS smile is designed to perfectly complement your face and to optimize your dental and oral anatomy. Often, this will slightly change the shape of some oral structures, and healing from your GPS procedure may temporarily affect how your mouth feels and moves. Most patients have no difficulty, but for a few, these changes may have some effect on your speech. This is completely normal.

What If I Do Have Speech Challenges?

If you do find that your speech feels different as you are healing from your GPS procedure, don't worry! Your tongue, jaws, and oral muscles are all getting better and at the same time getting used to your new GPS smile. As you heal, some strategies can be helpful:

GPS SPEECH STRATEGIES:

SLOWDOWN
First, try to develop the habit of speaking at a bit slower, more deliberate rate. Give your tongue and lips a chance to move to the correct positions for good articulation. Don't hurry them.
FOCUS ON SYLLABLES
Second, slow down the rate at which you pronounce individual syllables, especially in words with several syllables (e.g., re-frig-er-a-tor, gro-cer-ies, in-cre-di-ble).
EXAGGERATE CONSONANTS
Last, slightly exaggerate your pronunciation of consonant sounds, especially those in the middle and at the ends of words. Be careful not to slide over sounds like: beCauSe, imPorTaNT, peaNuT, buTTer, etc.

Sometimes it takes a little practice, and your GPS team is always here to guide you to success. As your mouth gets better and you use these strategies, your tongue, lips, and jaws will all work together in harmony with your beautiful new GPS smile!

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