The first 7 days after implant placement: what to expect

Dental implant surgery is a highly predictable procedure in the right hands, but it demands careful adherence to post-op recommendations. Here is what you need to know in the days ahead.

Days 1–2: managing swelling and bleeding

Swelling peaks on day 2. This is not a complication — it is a normal inflammatory response. What helps:

• External ice — ice packs on the face, 20 minutes on / 20 off, only during the first 24 hours. After 48 hours, ice no longer helps.
• Head elevation — sleep with an extra pillow at a 30° angle. This reduces venous pressure in the head.
• Anti-inflammatory — ibuprofen 600 mg every 8 hours for 48 hours. Do not wait until it hurts — take it prophylactically.

Light bleeding (pink-tinged saliva) for 24 hours is normal. Active bleeding that fills the mouth is abnormal — contact the clinic.

Diet on days 1–3

• Days 1–2: cold, soft foods. Yogurt, ice cream (without fruit chunks), chilled soup, very-well-cooked pasta.
• Days 3–5: room-temperature foods, still soft. Salad with boiled chicken, baked fish without bones.
• Avoid: drinks with a straw (negative pressure dislodges the clot), alcohol, smoking, very hot and spicy foods.

Days 3–5: starting to feel normal

By day 3 the worst is over. Swelling starts to go down, pain becomes minimal. Smoking is the single biggest enemy at this stage — it reduces blood flow to the area and increases the risk of early implant failure by 3–4×.

Days 5–7: signs of normal healing

• Bruising on the cheek or chin (yellow / green spots) is normal up to day 10 — it is just hemoglobin breaking down.
• Sutures dissolve on their own (modern resorbable thread) or are removed on day 7–10.
• Soft chewing on the opposite side is fine starting from day 5.

When to call the clinic urgently

• Pain that increases after day 3 (instead of decreasing)
• Fever above 38°C lasting more than 24 hours
• Pus or bad taste / smell coming from the wound
• Numbness in the lip or chin that does not pass within 72 hours

The implant integrates with the bone (osseointegration) over 3–6 months. The first 7 days set the foundation. Respecting these rules raises the success rate to over 97%.