Dental implant surgery is one of the most predictable procedures in modern dentistry — when you arrive prepared. The few weeks before your first surgical appointment matter as much as the surgery itself. Here is the patient-focused checklist we share with every international patient before they fly to Sofia.
4–6 weeks before the procedure
1. Get a current CBCT scan
If you do not have a recent cone-beam 3D scan (CBCT) of your jaw, get one near you and send it to us. We need it to plan the surgical guide. A 2D panoramic X-ray is not enough for modern implant planning.
2. Treat any active infection
Any active gum disease, abscess, or untreated cavity should be addressed before implant surgery. Bacteria in the mouth at the moment of implant placement is one of the most common causes of early implant failure. If you have an unstable dental condition, plan a cleaning and any urgent treatment locally first.
3. Adjust medications
Tell us all your current medications. Some — particularly bisphosphonates (for osteoporosis), certain anticoagulants (blood thinners), and immunosuppressants — affect bone healing. We may ask you to coordinate with your physician for short-term adjustments.
4. Stop smoking, ideally 2 weeks before
Smoking dramatically increases the risk of implant failure. The 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery are the highest-impact window. If full cessation is not realistic, even reducing helps.
1 week before
- Stock soft food for the first 3–5 days post-op — yogurt, soup, mashed potatoes, smoothies. You will not feel like cooking;
- Pick up over-the-counter pain medication (paracetamol, ibuprofen);
- Confirm your transport — the day of surgery you should not drive yourself afterward;
- Plan a rest day after surgery — even simple implants benefit from a calm 24 hours.
The day before
- Get a full night of sleep;
- Eat a normal dinner — fasting is only required if you will be sedated, in which case we will tell you specifically;
- Avoid alcohol;
- Wash your hair (you will not want a shower the next day if you have facial swelling).
Surgery day
- Eat a light, normal breakfast unless we have specifically told you to fast;
- Wear comfortable clothing — a button-up shirt is easier than a tight t-shirt if your jaw is sore afterward;
- Bring an ice pack or two — small swelling can occur the first 24h;
- Bring a phone charger and headphones — surgery itself is calm but waiting times are normal.
The first 72 hours after surgery
- No spitting, no straws, no smoking — these create suction that can dislodge the blood clot;
- Sleep with your head slightly elevated for the first 2 nights;
- Apply ice externally in 20-minute intervals during the first 24 hours;
- Soft, lukewarm food only for 3–5 days;
- Salt-water rinses starting 24 hours after surgery, gently;
- No vigorous exercise for 5 days — gentle walking is fine.
- Recent CBCT sent to clinic
- Active infection treated locally
- Medications reviewed with both physicians
- Soft food bought for 5 days
- Transport arranged for surgery day
- Rest day scheduled after surgery
- Smoking reduced or stopped 2 weeks prior
The patients who do best are not the ones with the best surgeries — they are the ones who arrived prepared. A 30-minute conversation a few weeks ahead of time saves weeks of complicated recovery.