2855 N Hwy 67, Florissant, MO 63033

Post-Operative Instructions

Recovering well after oral surgery starts with knowing what to do at home. Use the guide that matches your procedure for step-by-step aftercare, or download the general instructions below to keep on hand during recovery. If anything doesn’t seem right, call our office — we’re here to help.

Printable copy: Download our general post-operative instructions to review or keep with you during recovery.

Download Post-Op Instructions (PDF)

Find the Instructions for Your Procedure

Choose the page that matches your surgery for aftercare written specifically for that procedure:

After Dental Implant Surgery
Home care after implant placement — protecting the site, managing swelling, diet, and hygiene around the healing abutment.

After Wisdom Tooth Removal
What to expect and how to care for the extraction sites after wisdom teeth are removed.

After Impacted Tooth Exposure
Aftercare following exposure of an impacted tooth to support healing and comfort.

After Tooth Extractions
Recovery guidance after single or multiple tooth extractions, including protecting the blood clot.

The Essentials

A few things apply to nearly every oral surgery. Your procedure page and the printable guide cover each in full detail.

Keep firm pressure on the gauze and change it as directed — you’ll only bite on gauze the day of surgery.
Protect the blood clot: no straws, spitting, swishing, or smoking for several days.
Ice the cheek near the surgical site for the first 36 hours to limit swelling.
Keep your head elevated, rest, and take any prescribed medication as directed.
Starting the day after surgery, begin gentle warm salt-water rinses.

When to Call Us

Please call our office right away if you experience any of the following:

Bleeding that has not slowed after 24 hours.
Severe pain that doesn’t begin to ease after 3 days, or that gets worse.
A fever, or a reaction to your medication.

Our office number is (314) 627-1953.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which post-operative instructions apply to me?

Choose the page that matches your procedure: dental implant surgery, wisdom tooth removal, impacted tooth exposure, or tooth extractions. Each page has aftercare written for that specific surgery. If you’re not sure, the printable general guide covers the basics that apply to most oral surgery.

When should I call the office after surgery?

Call right away if bleeding hasn’t slowed after 24 hours, if severe pain doesn’t begin to ease after 3 days or gets worse, or if you develop a fever or a reaction to your medication.

Is there a printable copy of the instructions?

Yes. You can download the general post-operative instructions as a PDF to review or keep on hand during your recovery.

Questions during recovery? Don’t hesitate to call — there’s no such thing as a stupid question.

Download Post-Op Instructions (PDF)

Bone Grafting for Implants

Do I Have Enough Bone for Dental Implants?

After a tooth extraction, the socket will often fill in naturally with bone within two to three months if the surrounding walls are thick; however, when the bone is thin—commonly in the front teeth—healing can be less predictable. In these cases, a bone graft is typically placed at the time of extraction to preserve the width and volume of bone needed for future implant placement. If a tooth has been missing for many years and the bone has significantly thinned, a graft may also be placed later and allowed to heal for several months before an implant can be placed.

In some situations, additional bone grafting may be needed in the upper jaw if the sinus cavities are large or extend into areas where implants are planned. This may require a sinus grafting procedure, during which the sinus membrane is gently lifted and bone is added to create sufficient height for implant placement. Bone grafting procedures are generally comfortable and can often be performed in the office with local anesthesia, sometimes in combination with sedation, and in certain cases may be completed at the same time as implant placement.

Ceramic Dental Implants

A Holistic Dentistry Approach to Dental Implants

What are Ceramic Implants?

Dental implants are made of posts that are screwed into the jawbone, anchoring the final crown restoration and serving as excellent replacements for missing teeth. Since the 1960s, these artificial teeth have been made of titanium. In 1987, Zirconia dental implants were introduced into dental implantology as a metal free, ceramic alternative.

Are Ceramic Dental Implants Safe?

The possible risks posed by ceramic dental implants are essentially the same as metal implants and any surgery in which a foreign body is placed in the body: infection at the implant site, injury or damage to surrounding structures, nerve damage, and sinus problems. However, the success rate of ceramic implants, which means no implant failure, is over 97%, and we have found that the unsurpassed level of our doctor’s expertise and training ensure the most optimal results possible.

After Implant Placement FAQ

Many options are available, and they are tailored to your specific requirements. If you need a replacement tooth while the implants are healing, temporary removable teeth or a temporary bridge can be made. If all of your teeth are missing, we can usually modify your present complete denture or make you a new temporary denture.

If you would prefer non-removable teeth during the healing phase, temporary transitional implants usually can be placed along with the permanent implants, and temporary teeth may be made and inserted the same day. Depending on your particular situation, some implants can be placed and “loaded” immediately. This means a temporary or permanent replacement tooth can be placed on, or shortly after, the day the implant is placed.

Benefits of Ceramic Implants

Biocompatibility

Osseointegration is the amazing process of an implant (made of foreign material) fusing with bone. Zirconia—the component used in ceramic implants—has proven to be a truly biocompatible substance that can fully integrate with your jaw, while not affecting the health of the nearby tissue.

Durability

Ceramic implants are built to last, and because of the excellent biocompatible material of Zirconia, they prove durable and secure under the most extreme masticatory pressure.

Allergies

A very popular advantage of ceramic implants is the fact that they are hypoallergenic. The metal free factor provides peace of mind for patients with allergies or even mild sensitivity to metals.

Experience the difference of Premier Institute Of Oral & Facial Surgery

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Our Office

2855 N Hwy 67
Florissant, MO 63033

Premier Institute of Oral & Facial Surgery Phone Number (314) 627-1953

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