First 24-48 Hours After Surgery:
Sleeping with a dark pillow or towel over your pillow is highly recommended due to the blood in your saliva from surgery.
Ice packs should be used the first 48 hours, for 15–20 minute intervals to help minimize bruising and swelling.
You will notice blood in your saliva; if you cough or throw up a minimal amount of blood, this is normal.
If there is a large amount proceeding into the night, please contact Dr. Winterholler.
Taking 800 mg of Tylenol® or Advil® every 8 hours is recommended to control pain and minimize swelling.
No aggressive rinsing and swishing within the first 24 hours to allow proper healing.
On the second day, light brushing and rinsing is okay. Brush the teeth using only a soft bristle toothbrush and be careful to avoid the tissue.
Please take all prescriptions as prescribed. Do not drive while taking narcotics.
Eat soft foods such as: milkshakes, protein shakes, ice cream, mashed potatoes, yogurt, etc.
After surgery, drink plenty of fluids and get rest.
Nausea is normal the day of surgery due to the sedation.
The patient’s driver needs to be present before and after surgery and will need to call when you arrive home safely.
Taking the antibiotics prescribed may cause contraceptives to be ineffective.
Do not consume alcohol for at least 48 hours after surgery and no smoking for at least 2 weeks.
Do no use a straw or suck on any candy to prevent dry sockets.
If you use a CPAP machine, it is very important to use while sleeping or napping for a short period of time.
First Week After Surgery:
Pain and discomfort are completely normal.
Swelling and bruising are expected on the third and fourth day.
Post-op, X-rays, and bite adjustment will be done at Dr. Winterholler’s office on the next working day.
Warm saltwater rinses 3–4 times a day to help promote healing.
Week 2–4 After Surgery:
Patient may introduce more consistency in diet such as eggs, pancakes, pasta, and other soft foods.
You may resume normal brushing and rinsing.
During this time, the bones are reforming and you may notice pointy or sharp spots; please leave them alone and do not disturb them.
Have Dr. Winterholler evaluate them at your post-op exam.
We will remove sutures 10–14 days after surgery.
A 4-week appointment is required after your suture removal.
Gum tissue will shrink as you heal; rinse and use your Waterpik® 4 weeks after surgery.
It is normal to notice a space between your provisional hybrid and the gum tissue, and make sure to keep this area clean using your Waterpik.
Swelling and discomfort should be gone by the fourth week.
If you have any questions, please contact the office at (480) 767-8400.
Caring For Your W-4 Implant Solution:
Congratulations! You have made it through surgery and the first few days.
Here are a few tips on taking care of your W-4 Implant Solution.
Please be aware you will be wearing this hybrid for 3–6 months.
During this time, Dr. Winterholler will be assessing your healing, the functional bite, and aesthetics of your new teeth.
Keeping the W-4 Implant Solution clean is vital to the success of the implants and your healing.
The W-4 is no different than your natural teeth.
Plaque can build up on the provisional appliance and will require the patient to brush using a soft bristle toothbrush 2–3 times a day.
A Waterpik is a great tool for effectively cleaning between the gums and the W-4 Implant Solution.
We will work with you on the Waterpik and advise when to use it.
Note: The Waterpik should not be used until 4 weeks after surgery.
Nutrition is key to the proper healing of your mouth.
Please make sure you are getting plenty of protein and Vitamin C as you heal.
Soft foods will continue to be the main part of your diet until the second week.
Please be aware that your bite may have been corrected with these new teeth.
It will require at least 3 months of wearing the new teeth to adjust to your new bite.
When biting together, if the bite doesn’t feel good, please contact our office.
Your bite should come together evenly on the left and right side.
During this phase, breakage may occur.
If the occurs, please contact our office for an appointment at (480) 767-8400.
We will begin making your permanent appliance when Dr. Winterholler has assessed the healing, the bite, and the aesthetics.
We welcome your input on both the function and aesthetics of your teeth.
This is the time to give us any feedback as to changes you may want or need.
It is our utmost goal to make sure you are happy with your new smile.
We will make up to 2 W-4 Implant Solution sets for you.
Any changes beyond that will incur charges of $500 per arch.
We will review the process of making your final W-4 Implant Solution with you once we are ready to begin.
It will take approximately 2–3 months and 7–10 appointments to make your final W-4 Implant Solution.
Please let us know if you have any questions! We look forward to working with you during this journey to healing and a beautiful smile.
Professional Cleaning Recommendations for Hygienists:
We are glad to offer these recommendations for you and your hygienist for your cleaning appointments with your new smile.
We recommend the W-4 Implant Solution be cleaned every 3 months.
The dental hygienist will educate the patient of home care instructions and inform the patient what needs to be done at home.
An exam and X-rays are recommended to be taken once a year to check the bone level and health of the implant.
X-rays are to be taken before the appliance is removed to check the fit of the implant and appliance.
When removing the prosthetic, a high-speed hand piece is used to remove composite that is in the access hole.
There is Teflon tape beneath the composite.
It is used to protect the screw head.
The proper implant driver to remove the W-4 Implant Solution is a .048, and this driver is available to purchase upon request.
A yearly Velscope oral cancer screening is recommended after the W-4 Implant Solution is removed.
The W-4 Implant Solution will be placed in a Ziploc® back with Peridex™ and tartar and stain remover.
The appliance is then placed into an ultra-sonic while the hygienist cleans the patient’s implants.
The hygienist cleans around the dental implants using a specific implant scaler.
This scaler is made up of a plastic material, using care not to damage the implant surface while removing all the biofilm and tartar buildup.
A syringe of Peridex is then used to flush any debris and bad bacteria from the implants.
Once the cleaning is complete, the hygienist will remove the prosthetic from the ultra-sonic.
Stain is removed before placing the prosthetic back in patient’s mouth.
At this time, if the patient is due for their yearly exam, the dentist will step in for the exam.
The dentist will review X-rays and check the implants, abutments, and appliance.
Abutments may need to be replaced from time to time due to wear and tear.
Each abutment will cost approximately $400.00 to replace if they are worn.
The prosthetic is then placed back into the patient’s mouth.
Each screw is checked and replaced at this time if needed.
Screws should be replaced yearly to prevent wear and breakage of the screw.
Screws when needed to be changed are $40.00 each.
It is recommended that they be replaced at a minimum of 2 years.
Teflon tape and composite are placed in the access holes and cured with a light.
The patient’s bite is checked and any adjustments needed are done at this time.
