Four Signs To Call The Dentist After Your Implant Surgery

Dental implant surgery is a very safe procedure when performed by a knowledgeable, experienced dentist. Most patients heal from the surgery without any major incidents and go on to enjoy a long, happy life with teeth that look and function like natural teeth. However, as with all surgeries, there is some risk of side effects and infection after dental implant surgery. If you notice any of these four signs when you are healing from surgery, you should call your dentist to have your mouth looked over.

Excessive Bleeding

It is normal to have some slight bleeding after surgery -- especially during the first day or two. Your dentist will probably have given you some gauze to bite down on to absorb the blood. However, if it has been more than a day since surgery and you are still bleeding, or if the blood is more than a slow trickle, you should call your dentist. You may have accidentally disturbed some of the stitches when eating or brushing, or you may be failing to clot properly. Your dentist can administer a clotting agent or re-stitch your incisions as needed.

Fever or Chills

Aside from some pain in your mouth, you should feel relatively okay after implant surgery. If you start feeling actually ill, especially if you notice a fever or chills, this could be a sign of infection. This usually starts a few days after the surgery. Infections can spread rapidly, so it is important to see your dentist ASAP. They may prescribe you some antibiotics to help your body clear the infection.

Excessive Pain

Most patients are surprised that after implant surgery the pain is a lot milder than they expected. Some dentist prescribe pain relievers, but in many cases, you will just be told to take over-the-counter pain relievers to keep your pain under control. If you experience serious pain in spite of taking pain relievers, contact your dentist. You may be healing improperly, or you might just need a stronger pain reliever that your dentist can prescribe.

Pus

It sounds gross, but if you ever notice any pus coming from in or around the surgical area, you need to see your dentist. Pus is a sign of infection, and it may be the first sign you notice. Try not to play with the area with your tongue very much, as this might make matters worse until you're able to see the dentist.

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