Special Rinse Following Implant Surgery: Is this necessary?

Question

I have gone in for the initial surgical procedure for a dental implant on Friday. I was not prescribed a special rinse that I have read about on this website. Is a special rinse absolutely necessary? I was placed on an antibiotic and given vicadin. Is this enough?

Answer 1

Your dentist has prescribed an antibiotic to reduce the chances of an infection and an analgesic to keep you from experiencing pain if some pain is anticipated. Both of these prescriptions are given according to the dentist's judgement and experience, or sometimes on a routine basis. This does not mean that they are necessary.

In addition, sometimes dentists prescribe a special rinse containing chlorhexidine gluconate to reduce the amount of bacteria present in the mouth after surgery, when tha patients cannot brush and mechanically clean the surgery area. I consider this an additional precaution and give it to my patients especially when no antibiotic has been given. It should be used for a short period of time until brushing and flossing can resume.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Dr. Carlos Boudet
West Palm Beach , FL
(561) 968 6022
boudetdds.com

Answer 2

I routinely use chlorhexidine rinse pre-operatively on my Oral Surgery patients  to reduce bacterial load. This is empirical and not based on a controlled scientific study showing specific benefits. I recommend my patients use a q-tip to swab implant cover screws, healing caps and abutments with this rinse as part of their  daily oral hygiene routine. It appears to help soft  tisssue health.

Regards

Theodore M Grossman DMD
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Adventura, FL.
(305)466-1804