What does the first week after implant surgery look like, day by day?
For most patients the first two to three days are the most uncomfortable, and things then improve noticeably. The table below summarises the guidance of the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), Leeds Teaching Hospitals, Hull University Teaching Hospitals and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust:
| Period | What to expect in most cases | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Day of surgery | Numbness, slight bleeding, blood-stained saliva | Bite on gauze, cool the area, rest, keep your head raised |
| Day 1 | Swelling and tenderness increase | Start the recommended mouth care |
| Days 2 to 3 | Swelling at its peak, bruising possible | Avoid exertion, rest |
| Days 4 to 7 | Swelling and discomfort ease noticeably | Return to normal activities, continue mouth care |
| Days 7 to 14 | Stitch check, dissolvable stitches fall out, bruising fades | Attend the check-up, for travellers often at home |
These are averages; implant numbers, additional procedures and your own healing change them. Pain and painkillers are covered in our guide do dental implants hurt?, and the number of trips in how many days to stay in Türkiye for dental implants.
How much bleeding is normal in the first 24 hours?
Slight bleeding and pink-tinged saliva are normal on the first day. According to URMC, some blood in the saliva is to be expected during the first 24 hours; Hull University Teaching Hospitals says most of the bleeding stops within 30 minutes of surgery.
If bleeding starts again, the sources recommend:
- Dampen a clean gauze pad or a clean, folded cotton handkerchief slightly.
- Place it on the wound and bite firmly. Guy’s and St Thomas’ advises at least 30 minutes; URMC advises not removing the gauze to check during that time.
- Sit upright and do not rinse your mouth.
- Repeat if needed; URMC says a dry tea bag can be bitten gently for 30 minutes instead of gauze.
Gloucestershire Hospitals advises not rinsing your mouth at all in the first 24 hours so that the blood clot is not dislodged.
When are swelling and bruising at their worst?
Swelling increases first and then subsides. The sources describe a similar course:
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals: swelling and bruising are usually worst 24 to 48 hours after surgery.
- URMC: swelling peaks at 48 to 72 hours; bruising fades in 7 to 10 days.
- Gloucestershire Hospitals: after surgery in the mouth, swelling is worst on the first or second day and can last up to two weeks.
- Hull University Teaching Hospitals: bruising of the face and neck is normal and disappears on its own.
Cooling: Guy’s and St Thomas’ recommends an ice pack, such as frozen vegetables in a clean cloth, for ten minutes every hour during the first six hours. URMC advises ice in a damp towel for the first 24 to 48 hours, 20 minutes on and 40 minutes off. Both stress that ice should not touch the skin directly.
Head raised: URMC advises two or three pillows when lying down, especially in the first 24 hours.
How do you look after your mouth in the first week?
Mouth care usually starts the day after surgery, carefully around the wound. The sources recommend slightly different routines:
- Gloucestershire Hospitals: after 24 hours, rinse with warm salt water four times a day after meals (half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water); brush the other teeth as usual and very gently near the wound.
- URMC: from the second day, rinse with warm salt water after meals or four to five times a day and brush gently near the wound.
- Guy’s and St Thomas’: do not brush the implant site for a week; instead, rinse twice a day for one minute with a chlorhexidine mouthwash.
- Hull University Teaching Hospitals: brush the stitches with a soft toothbrush from the fourth day so that they dissolve more easily.
Your dentist will tell you after surgery which routine applies to you. URMC also advises not using a straw in the first week, because the suction can dislodge the clot, and avoiding bending, heavy lifting and sport for the first 72 hours. Guy’s and St Thomas’ recommends no alcohol for 24 hours and stopping smoking before treatment and for good; see our guide smoking and dental implants.
When are the stitches removed, and who does it after you fly home?
According to Guy’s and St Thomas’, stitches are removed 7 to 14 days after surgery and the wound is checked at the same time; Leeds Teaching Hospitals says the gum usually heals in one to two weeks and the stitches are removed within that time. Dissolvable stitches take longer: up to 14 days according to Hull University Teaching Hospitals, up to three weeks according to Gloucestershire Hospitals.
For international patients, this appointment often falls after the flight home. Ask before surgery whether dissolving stitches will be used, and speak to your own dentist before you travel in case stitches need removing. If you see a small metal cap sticking out of the gum after surgery, this is usually the implant’s healing cap and part of the plan.
When can you fly home after implant surgery?
There is little research on flying after dental procedures. Felkai and colleagues summarise the evidence in the British Dental Journal (2023) and advise patients travelling for dental treatment not to fly immediately after the procedure. As a minimum they suggest 72 hours after uncomplicated implant placement, provided the wound shows no pain, swelling or bleeding, and recommend around a week where possible. After a sinus lift or bone graft they advise at least two weeks, because cabin pressure changes can stress the sinus. The authors stress that these are guiding principles from limited data, and that more research with passenger flights is needed.
Plan your return flight so that the wound can be checked before you leave, and choose a flexible fare where possible. When flying is safe for you is decided by your dentist after surgery. For the additional procedures, see our guides on sinus lift and bone graft before implants.
Which signs mean you should get in touch?
If swelling, pain or bleeding increases after a few days instead of easing, do not wait for the check-up; Mayo Clinic also advises contacting the treating clinic in this case. According to the sources, you should also get in touch if you have:
- bleeding that does not stop despite 30 minutes of pressure; Guy’s and St Thomas’ then advises going to the nearest emergency department
- a hard, hot swelling that does not improve (Hull)
- fever, pus, swollen gums or swollen lymph nodes in the neck (Cleveland Clinic)
- a feeling that the implant or healing cap is moving (Cleveland Clinic)
- numbness or altered sensation that is still present the day after surgery; Hull advises getting in touch straight away
If you are already home, a local dentist or emergency dental service is the first point of contact for acute problems. What happens if an implant does not integrate is explained in our guide when an implant fails.
How do we support you in the first week at Rönesans?
After implant surgery we schedule your check-ups, and you know from the start which dentist is treating you. On treatment days, we take you between your accommodation in Sapanca and the clinic. Depending on your case, a temporary tooth can be fitted for the healing period; if you wear a removable denture, ask before surgery whether you can wear it in the first days. For full-arch patients, see our guide to temporary teeth with full-arch implants.
After you fly home, you can write to us on WhatsApp at +90 532 363 49 54 and send photos; during opening hours we reply to messages in English and German within 15 minutes. This support helps with assessment but does not replace an examination. When you leave, you receive a copy of your treatment summary, copies of your X-rays and an implant card. What happens after the first week is described on our pages about aftercare and follow-up and dental implants.