Aftercare
Dental implant aftercare in Australia - week-by-week guide
How to care for dental implants after returning from Picasso Vietnam — healing phases, hygiene tools, smoking rules, warning signs, and Australian maintenance schedule.
After dental implant surgery at Picasso Dental Clinic, Australian patients should follow a soft-food protocol for 6–8 weeks, avoid smoking throughout the osseointegration period, use a prescribed chlorhexidine rinse for the first two weeks, and attend an Australian implant hygiene review at 6–8 weeks. Report fever, spreading swelling, or pus immediately by calling 000 or attending a hospital emergency department.
Healing phases — what to expect week by week
| Phase | Timeframe | What is happening | Your role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate | Days 1–3 | Clot formation; peak swelling and bruising | Rest, ice packs 20 min on/off, head elevated, no rinsing for 24h |
| Early healing | Days 4–14 | Gum tissue closing; early bone response | Chlorhexidine rinse twice daily; soft food only; no smoking |
| Soft tissue healed | Weeks 2–8 | Gum closed; osseointegration beginning | Resume normal brushing around the site; continue soft diet |
| Osseointegration | Months 1–4 | Bone fusing to implant surface | Avoid loading; no chewing on implant side; hygiene critical |
| Crown loading | Months 3–6 | CBCT confirms integration; abutment and crown placed (trip 2) | Gradual bite loading |
| Long-term maintenance | Ongoing | Implant functions as a tooth | Hygiene, annual review, night guard if bruxism |
The first 24 hours — do and don’t
Do:
- Rest with your head elevated on two pillows
- Apply an ice pack (wrapped in cloth) to your cheek in 20-minute cycles for the first 4–6 hours
- Take prescribed pain relief on schedule, not only when pain appears
- Drink cool water and eat soft, cool foods (yoghurt, smoothies, ice cream)
Don’t:
- Rinse, spit, or suck through a straw — dislodges the clot
- Smoke or vape — even one cigarette in the first 48 hours significantly increases failure risk
- Exercise — raises blood pressure and risks bleeding the site
- Probe the surgical site with your tongue or finger
- Drink hot drinks — use warm or cool
Days 2–14 — the chlorhexidine period
Picasso provides a chlorhexidine mouthwash prescription. Use it twice daily (after breakfast and before bed) for 14 days. Do not use it for longer than prescribed — prolonged use stains teeth and disrupts the oral microbiome.
After the chlorhexidine course, switch to a standard fluoride mouthwash if you wish.
Smoking and vaping — the honest clinical position
Implant failure rates in smokers are approximately double those in non-smokers in the peer-reviewed literature. This applies to cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, and vapes — nicotine restricts blood vessel dilation regardless of delivery method.
If you smoke, disclose this in your free quote request — it affects the treatment plan, warranty terms, and the honest risk conversation before surgery.
Two-trip patients — managing the gap between visits
If your implant plan involves a standard two-stage protocol (fixture placement on trip 1, crown on trip 2):
- Keep the healing abutment clean — it is the cap sitting above the gum line
- Use interdental brushes around the abutment daily
- Avoid chewing hard food directly on the healing abutment
- Do not delay trip 2 by more than 2–3 months beyond the planned date — the gum profile can collapse around the abutment and complicate the final crown
Contact your Picasso coordinator if anything changes: pain returns, the abutment loosens, or the gum grows over it.
Australian implant hygiene — what to tell your dentist
Bring to every Australian dental appointment:
- Implant passport — brand, lot number, fixture dimensions
- Materials list — abutment type and crown material
- Picasso treatment notes — available on request
Tell your hygienist: “I have an implant from Picasso Vietnam — [brand]. Please use plastic or titanium-safe instruments around the implant crown.”
Most Australian hygienists are familiar with all the brands Picasso uses. If they are not, the implant passport gives them the specs to look up compatible cleaning instruments.
Long-term maintenance schedule
| Timeframe | Action |
|---|---|
| 6–8 weeks post-surgery | Australian dentist review — assess gum healing and bite |
| 3–4 months post-surgery | Confirm osseointegration readiness before trip 2 |
| 6 months post-crown loading | First implant hygiene visit with trained hygienist |
| Annually | Implant hygiene and periapical X-ray to assess bone levels |
| If symptoms arise | Peri-implantitis check — early intervention prevents bone loss |
Related pages
- Implant brands — all 7 systems
- Honest risks — implant failure probability
- Warranty
- Dental implants hub
- What if something goes wrong
Frequently asked questions
When can I brush the implant site?
Gentle brushing of all other teeth can resume from day 1. The surgical site itself should be cleaned only as instructed in your discharge notes — typically a damp cotton bud or soft brush from day 3, increasing to normal brushing once the gum has closed, usually around 7–10 days.
How long until I can eat normally?
Soft diet for the first 6–8 weeks post-placement while osseointegration occurs. After final crown loading, you can progressively return to a full diet — biting hard foods directly on an implant crown should still be avoided long-term.
What are the warning signs of implant failure?
Fever above 38°C, spreading facial swelling, pus at the implant site, severe or worsening pain after day 3, or the implant feeling loose. Call 000 or go to a hospital emergency department if swelling is spreading to the neck. Contact your Picasso coordinator immediately for any concerning symptom.
Can I smoke after implant surgery?
No. Smoking is the single largest modifiable risk factor for implant failure. It reduces blood flow to the healing site, increases infection risk, and impairs osseointegration. Picasso advises complete cessation for a minimum of 3 months post-surgery — ideally permanently.
When do I need the second trip for my crown?
For standard two-stage implants, the crown is placed 3–6 months after fixture placement once osseointegration is confirmed. Your coordinator will schedule trip 2 based on your CBCT or clinical review.
What cleaning tools should I use around implants?
An electric toothbrush with a soft head and gentle pressure. Interdental brushes (TePe or similar) are essential — floss alone does not clean the full implant collar. A water flosser is a useful addition. Your Australian hygienist should use plastic or titanium-safe instruments around implant crowns.