Eusebio Dental
ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA
Implant Healing Cap Care
Care After Second-Stage Implant Treatment
What to Do Today
• Bite on gauze if there is light bleeding.
• Use ice if the area is swollen.
• Eat soft foods and chew on the other side.
• Do not touch or turn the healing cap.
• Do not smoke, vape, or use a straw today.
What to Expect Next
Tomorrow
• Brush gently around the healing cap with a soft toothbrush.
• Rinse gently with warm salt water.
• Keep food from packing around the cap.
• Do not use a water flosser directly on it unless we say it is okay.
Days 2-3
• Mild soreness and swelling should start to improve.
• Keep the cap clean.
• Keep chewing on the other side.
Days 4-7
• The gum should feel better each day.
• Keep brushing gently around the cap.
• Call us if the cap feels loose.
Later Healing
• The gum will shape around the healing cap.
• Keep all appointments for the final crown or other implant tooth.
Pain Medicine
Adult doses only. Use these medicines only if they are safe for you.
• Mild or moderate pain: Take ONE — ibuprofen up to 600 mg OR acetaminophen up to 1,000 mg.
• More pain: Take BOTH together.
• Wait at least 6 hours before the next dose. Do not take more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
• Do not take more than 2,400 mg of ibuprofen or 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours.
• Check all medicine labels for acetaminophen. Ask us, your doctor, or a pharmacist if you are not sure.
• Do not take either medicine if a doctor has told you to avoid it.
Normal Healing
• Mild bleeding the first day
• Mild gum soreness
• Mild swelling
• A small gap around the cap as the gum heals
• Slow improvement each day
Call Eusebio Dental
Call or text Eusebio Dental for:
• A healing cap that feels loose, turns, or falls out
• Bleeding that will not stop
• Pain or swelling that gets worse
• Fever, pus, or a strong bad smell
• Any problem that worries you
Emergency -
Call 911
Call 911 now for:
• Trouble breathing
• Severe swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow
• Bleeding you cannot control
You Might Be Wondering
Can I brush the healing cap?
Yes. Use a soft brush and clean it gently.
What if the cap feels loose?
Do not turn it. Call us.
Can I chew on it?
Use the other side until the gum is comfortable and we say it is okay.
When will I get the implant crown?
The timing depends on how the gum and bone heal.
Helpful Tips
Why This Matters
• Use a soft toothbrush.
• Do not test the cap with your tongue.
• Keep food from packing around the cap.
• Call early if the cap moves. It is easier to help before the gum closes over it.
• A clean healing cap helps the gum heal in the right shape.
• A loose cap can irritate the gum or allow the gum to grow over the implant.
• Gentle care protects the implant while the final tooth is being planned.
Reviewed by:
Dr. Joseph Eusebio, DMD, MBA
Last Reviewed:
July 2026
Sources:
Implant Healing Cap Care