I had surgery 7 days ago. I don't have any pain. Is this a sign of infection? The stitches are loose and smell weird (Photo)

Question

I had an implant done with some bone grafting. Been taking my antibiotics and doing mouthwash everyday but I don't like the way this looks. I don't have any pain either, just want to make sure I'm healing properly.

Alberto Meza, DDS · Answer

Hi! After a small surgery like an implant, usually the tissue heals very fast. Having no pain after 7 days is exactly how it should feel. On the picture I can´t see any signs of infection: red color on gums, bleeding, pain and pus. Stitches seem to be thick so probably the smell must come from bacteria and collection of food on the stitches. Make sure you keep it as clean as possible and visit your dentist to confirm every is healing properly.

Amber Garcia, DDS · Answer

It appears to be healing well. If you had an infection, you would know. It would be swollen and painful. That type of stitch tends to trap plaque which would cause the weird smell. They loosen up as your body heals and the bone and gums shrink down some. You may be ready to remove the stitches. Schedule a follow up with your doctor.

Ramin Mahallati, DDS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. The best way to answer this is with an in-person evaluation. I recommend following up with your Dentist or consulting a Prosthodontist to evaluate your implant. A Prosthodontist is a dental specialist who has advanced training in restoring and replacing teeth and can create a customized treatment using the latest techniques in dental implants

I had surgery 7 days ago. I don't have any pain. Is this a sign of infection? The stitches are loose and smell weird (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Dental Implants

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I had surgery 7 days ago. I don't have any pain. Is this a sign of infection? The stitches are loose and smell weird (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Dental Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.