- If you are not having an IV anesthetic (not going to sleep or sedation) you may eat a light meal before your appointment and take your pills at their normally scheduled time.
- If you are having an IV anesthetic (going to sleep or sedation) you cannot have anything to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to surgery, including water. You may brush your teeth before your appointment but do not swallow any water. You may take certain medications with a sip of water as discussed in your pre-surgery consultation.
You must also have someone accompany you to the office, stay at the office, drive you home, and stay with you for 12 hours after this type of anesthesia.
- Please wear short sleeves and remove contact lenses and nose and ear piercings (if possible).
- Avoid cannabis/marijuana for 48 hours prior to surgery.
- Minors must have a legal guardian accompany them to the surgical visit to sign consents.
- If you have an illness such as a cold, sore throat, cough, or fever please contact the office.
Post-Operative (After-Surgery) Instructions For Oral Surgery
Care of the mouth after surgery has an important effect on healing. SWELLING, DISCOMFORT, AND RESTRICTED JAW FUNCTION ARE EXPECTED and shouldn’t cause alarm. These may be minimized by the following instructions:
Control of Bleeding, Oral Hygiene, and Wound Care
Remove gauze pack upon arriving home. Slight bleeding is expected. If bleeding is excessive, place a sterile gauze over the wound and bite gently but firmly for an additional 30 minutes with CONSTANT PRESSURE. Keep your head elevated while resting or sleeping. Do not rub the surgical site or disturb it with your tongue. Avoid spitting which may cause bleeding and delay healing. Do not use a drinking straw. Avoid excessive physical activity.
On the day of surgery, do not rinse your mouth with anything. The day following surgery, the mouth may be rinsed gently with a warm saltwater solution (1 teaspoon of salt in 6-8oz of warm water) after each meal and at bedtime for at least five days. If you have been given an irrigating syringe, gently use that to dislodge food particles in surgical site(s) after each meal and at bed time for at least five days. Do not brush the adjacent teeth or gums in the area of the surgery. If you were prescribed a mouth rinse, use it twice per day as directed on the bottle starting the day after surgery and continue use two weeks or until the bottle is empty. Do not rinse vigorously, as this may disturb the surgical site and delay healing.
Control of Pain and Infection
Over the counter pain medicines like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) are recommended if appropriate for you for pain control. If you have been given a prescription for medication, please take it as recommended. If you develop hives or a rash, discontinue all medication and immediately call this office. Warning: Do not drive or operate mechanical equipment after taking narcotic pain medication.
Control of Swelling
Some swelling and bruising follows nearly every surgery and will peak in 2-3 days, then slowly resolve over the next week. This swelling/bruising may be quite noticeable and may make it difficult to open your mouth. This does not necessarily mean that there is an infection present. Ice packs are of value during the first 48 hours following surgery (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off). After 48 hours, warm packs 3-4 times a day are beneficial.
Diet
A soft diet is usually recommended for the first few days following surgery. Avoid chewing on the healing site if possible. Increase your fluid intake. Avoid drinking alcohol for the first week. Avoid carbonated beverages for one week (unless nauseated as below). No straws for one week after surgery. A few soft food suggestions: noodles, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, yogurt, soups, ice cream, etc. You may advance your diet to more solid foods as the site(s) begins to feel less tender.
Nausea
A small amount of 7-UP, Sprite, or ginger ale will usually eliminate nausea. Follow this with mild tea or clear soup, etc. If nausea continues, please contact our office.
Smoking
Smokers are advised not to smoke or vape tobacco or cannabis after surgery. Smoking constricts blood vessels and delays bone graft healing.
Activity
Avoid strenuous physical activity for 3-5 days after surgery.
Follow Up Appointment
A follow-up appointment will not likely be necessary. If you have concerns regarding healing, please call the office. The sutures(stitches) are dissolvable and will likely fall out in two days to two weeks.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The following conditions may occur, all of which are considered normal:
Numbness
Numbness of the lower lip and chin may sometimes develop on the side where a lower tooth was removed. This is usually a temporary condition which will improve with time. Please contact our office if you have numbness (cannot feel lip, tongue, or chin) which persists more than two days.
Sensitivity
Teeth near a surgery site may be temporarily sensitive.
Elevated Temperature
There may be a slight elevation of temperature for 24 to 48 hours. If the elevated temperature (greater than 100.4) continues, please contact our office.
- If you are not having an IV anesthetic (not going to sleep or sedation) you may eat a light meal before your appointment and take your pills at their normally scheduled time.
- If you are having an IV anesthetic (going to sleep or sedation) you cannot have anything to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to surgery, including water. You may brush your teeth before your appointment but do not swallow any water. You may take certain medications with a sip of water as discussed in your pre-surgery consultation.
You must also have someone accompany you to the office, stay at the office, drive you home, and stay with you for 12 hours after this type of anesthesia.
- Please wear short sleeves and remove contact lenses and nose and ear piercings (if possible).
- Avoid cannabis/marijuana for 48 hours prior to surgery.
- Minors must have a legal guardian accompany them to the surgical visit to sign consents.
- If you have an illness such as a cold, sore throat, cough, or fever please contact the office.
Post-Operative (After-Surgery) Instructions For Procedures With Bone Grafting
Care of the mouth after surgery has an important effect on healing. SWELLING, DISCOMFORT, AND RESTRICTED JAW FUNCTION ARE EXPECTED and shouldn’t cause alarm. These may be minimized by the following instructions:
Control of Bleeding, Oral Hygiene, and Wound Care
Remove gauze pack upon arriving home. Slight bleeding is expected. If bleeding is excessive, place a sterile gauze over the wound and bite gently but firmly for an additional 30 minutes with CONSTANT PRESSURE. Keep your head elevated while resting or sleeping. Do not rub the surgical site or disturb it with your tongue. Avoid spitting which may cause bleeding and delay healing. Do not use a drinking straw. Avoid excessive physical activity.
On the day of surgery, do not rinse your mouth with anything. The day following surgery, the mouth may be rinsed gently with a warm saltwater solution (1 teaspoon of salt in 6-8oz of warm water) after each meal and at bedtime. Do not brush the adjacent teeth or gums in the area of the surgery. If you were prescribed a mouth rinse, use it twice per day as directed on the bottle starting the day after surgery and continue use two weeks or until the bottle is empty. Do not rinse vigorously, as this may disturb the bone graft.
Control of Pain and Infection
Over the counter pain medicines like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) are recommended if appropriate for you for pain control. If you have been given a prescription for medication, please take it as recommended. If you develop hives or a rash, discontinue all medication and immediately call this office. Warning: Do not drive or operate mechanical equipment after taking narcotic pain medication.
Control of Swelling
Some swelling and bruising follows nearly every surgery and will peak in 2-3 days, then slowly resolve over the next week. This swelling/bruising may be quite noticeable and may make it difficult to open your mouth. This does not necessarily mean that there is an infection present. Ice packs are of value during the first 48 hours following surgery (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off). After 48 hours warm packs 3-4 times a day are beneficial.
Diet
A soft diet is usually recommended for the first few days following bone graft surgery. Take great care to not chew on the bone graft site until the gums have healed across the site, usually three to six weeks. Increase your fluid intake. Avoid drinking alcohol for the first week. Avoid carbonated beverages for one week (unless nauseated as below). No straws for one week after surgery. A few soft food suggestions: noodles, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, yogurt, soups, ice cream, etc.
Nausea
A small amount of 7-UP, Sprite, or ginger ale will usually eliminate nausea. Follow this with mild tea or clear soup, etc. If nausea continues, please contact our office.
Smoking
Smokers are advised not to smoke or vape tobacco or cannabis after surgery. Smoking constricts blood vessels and delays bone graft healing.
Activity
Avoid strenuous physical activity for 3-5 days after bone grafting surgery.
Follow Up Appointment
A follow-up appointment will not likely be necessary. If you have concerns regarding healing, please call the office. The sutures(stitches) are dissolvable and will likely fall out in two days to two weeks.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The following conditions may occur, all of which are considered normal:
Numbness
Numbness of the lower lip and chin may sometimes develop on the side where a lower tooth was removed. This is usually a temporary condition which will improve with time. Please contact our office if you have numbness (cannot feel lip, tongue, or chin) which persists more than two days.
Sensitivity
Teeth near a surgery site may be temporarily sensitive.
Elevated Temperature
There may be a slight elevation of temperature for 24 to 48 hours. If the elevated temperature (greater than 100.4) continues, please contact our office.
If you are not having an IV anesthetic (going to sleep or IV sedation) you may eat a light meal before your appointment and take your pills at their normally scheduled time. If you are having an IV anesthetic (going to sleep or IV sedation) you cannot have anything to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to surgery, including water. You may brush your teeth before your appointment but do not swallow any water. You may take certain medications with a sip of water as discussed in your presurgery consult. You must have someone drive you home after this type of anesthesia and stay with you for 12 hours.
Biopsy Post-Operative Instructions
Please read these instructions carefully. Sometimes the after-effects of oral surgery are quite minimal, so not all of theseinstructions may apply. Common sense will often dictate what you should do. However, when in doubt, follow these guidelines or call our office for clarification.
Day of Surgery
Do not disturb the surgical area today. DO NOT SMOKE for at least 3 days, as smoking is very detrimental to healing. Bleeding or Oozing Some minor bleeding will be evident in the first 48 hours. Usually direct pressure with a gauze pack for 20 to 30 minutes will easily control this. If bleeding persists or intensifies, please call the office. Bruising may occur on the outside of the face near the area of the biopsy site. This occurrence is not unusual and will resolve within ten to fourteen days.
Swelling
Often there is some swelling near the biopsy site. This is normal and should resolve within three to four days. When possible, apply ice packs to the area intermittently for the first 24 hours to help reduce swelling.
Pain
Unfortunately most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. In most cases, pain medication will be prescribed by your surgeon. Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen can also be used to control any pain.
Diet
Eat any nourishing food that can be taken with comfort. It is sometimes advisable, but not required, to confine the first day’s intake to liquids or pureed foods (creamed soups, puddings, yogurt, milk shakes, etc.). Over the next several days you can progress to solid foods at your own pace. It is important not to skip meals. If you take nourishment regularly, you will feel better, gain strength, have less discomfort, and heal faster.
Oral Hygiene
Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential. Use one teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8-ounce glass of warm water and gently rinse with portions of the solution, taking five minutes to use the entire glassful. Repeat as often as you like, but at least four to five times daily for the next five days. You may brush your teeth, but avoid the biopsy site. It is our desire that your recovery be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Following these instructions will help your healing, but if you have questions about your progress, please call our office at 651.578.7000
Test Results
Your surgeon will send your biopsy specimen to an oral pathologist for processing, interpretation, and reporting. You will be contacted with the results of the biopsy when the test results are received. The results usually arrive within seven to ten working days.
- Immediately following surgery, maintain pressure on the surgical area by biting down on the provided gauze pad or roll until the bleeding stops. A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following a surgical procedure. Placing the gauze pad over the area and biting firmly will help prevent excessive bleeding. Replace the gauze as necessary until the bleeding stops.
- For a few days following surgery, you may become dizzy when getting up. Sit up slowly, and give yourself a minute to adjust before getting up and walking.
- Avoid vigorous activities for three to four days after surgery. You may go back to your normal routine as tolerated.
- Please fill any prescriptions you have been given and take as directed. If you have been prescribed pain medication other than aspirin, Tylenol or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), do not drive, operate heavy equipment, work around machinery or tools, or engage in any other activity that may be unsafe when groggy, as your reflexes and judgment will be affected by the medication.
- Antibiotics may be prescribed to help prevent infection. If you have been placed on antibiotics, take the medicine as directed.
- Swelling and stiffness are to be expected the first 24 hours after surgery. Swelling around the face, eyes, and surgical site is not uncommon and may become more noticeable two to three days following surgery. Applying a cold compress to the face near the extraction site will help minimize swelling. If using an ice pack, please do not apply ice directly to your skin but place a cloth between the ice and your skin at all times. You may apply the cold compress for up to 20 minutes on and at least 20 minutes off as needed. After 36 hours the cold compress will have no further impact on swelling. After this period, the application of moist heat to the sides of the face can help reduce swelling.
- For 24-48 hours following your surgery, do not suck on a straw, drink from a bottle, rinse, spit, or smoke. Avoid hot and spicy foods, carbonated and alcoholic beverages.
- During the first few days after surgery, restrict your diet to liquids and soft foods such as soups, yogurt, juice, and smoothies.
- Do not rinse, spit, or brush your teeth on the day of surgery. Resume brushing the day after surgery, avoiding surgical sites with the toothbrush.
- After brushing, rinse gently with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt mixed with eight ounces of warm water). Start the salt water rinse the day after surgery and repeat 3 times a day for 7-10 days. This will help keep the surgical areas clean and will also help dissolve the sutures.
- Please do not use the irrigating syringe for the first five days. After five days, fill the syringe with warm salt water and flush out the socket. This will flush out any food or debris.
- If you are experiencing numbness of the lip, chin, or tongue, be aware that this is usually temporary in nature and normal feeling should return after a few days. Until then, please be cautious while eating and chewing in order to avoid accidentally biting your tongue, cheek or lip.
- A dry socket can develop when blood clot gets dislodged prematurely from the walls of the tooth socket. Symptoms of a dry socket include throbbing pain at the surgical site, the ear, chin, adjacent teeth, and/or jaw. These symptoms indicate a dry socket when they occur three to four days following surgery and do not respond to pain medication.
- Please call our office if you experience severe pain, excessive bleeding or swelling, or if you have any questions or concerns. If you are experiencing a serious or life threatening emergency, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.
- Some pain, bleeding, swelling, and seeping is normal following oral surgery. Please do not try to view the site by pulling on your lip and do not probe the area with your tongue or fingers. If you experience excessive bleeding or discomfort after 48-72 hours, please call our office immediately.
- You can take ibuprofen or acetaminophen according to the instructions on the label or those provided by our office as needed.
- Swelling around the face, eyes, and surgical site is not uncommon and may become more noticeable two to three days following surgery. Applying a cold compress to the face near the implant site will help minimize swelling. If using an ice pack, please do not apply ice directly to your skin but place a cloth between the ice and your skin at all times. You may apply the cold compress for up to 20 minutes on and at least 20 minutes off as needed. After 36 hours the cold compress will have no further impact on swelling. After this period, the application of moist heat to the sides of the face can help reduce swelling.
- A warm salt water rinse, approximately ½ teaspoon in an eight-ounce glass of water, three times a day can be helpful.
- Avoid brushing your teeth near the surgery site but brush and floss the rest of your mouth as instructed by our office.
- For 24 hours following your surgery, do not suck on a straw, brush, rinse, spit, or smoke.
- For the first 24 hours, you may experience some cold and heat sensitivity. Avoid hot and spicy foods as well as carbonated and alcoholic beverages.
- Restrict your activities on the day of your surgery. Avoid excessive work or play, and resume normal activity the following day as tolerated.
- After the first day, gently rinse with a warm salt water rinse, approximately one-half teaspoon of salt in an eight-ounce glass of water, three times a day.
- During the first few days after surgery restrict your diet to liquids and soft foods such as soups, yogurt, juice, and smoothies.
- Follow any other instructions provided by the office on your visit. Please take all medications as prescribed including your prescribed antibiotics to help prevent infection.
- If you have a denture that overlaps the implant site, please minimize the use of the denture following surgery to allow the site to heal. After the first week, you should be able to gradually increase the amount of time you can wear your denture.
- It is extremely important to keep your follow-up appointment(s) so that we can monitor the healing process.
- If pain and swelling are increasing after a few days, please call our office right away.
- Please refrain from blowing your nose for up to four weeks following your surgery. Do not hold your nose when sneezing. Avoid flying in pressured aircraft, scuba diving, bearing down when lifting heavy objects, blowing up balloons, playing musical instruments that require a blowing action, or any other activity that increases nasal or oral pressure for at least four weeks after surgery.
- Please take all medications as prescribed, included decongestants as necessary.
- It is important to keep your mouth clean after surgery to reduce the risk of infection and promote rapid healing. Start salt water rinses (one-half teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8-ounce glass of water) the evening of surgery or the day following your procedure after each meal or four to five times daily.
- Brush your teeth gently with a soft manual toothbrush on the evening of your surgery or the first day following your procedure and continue brushing at least twice a day.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Eat soft foods for the first several days after surgery. Advance to a regular diet as you become more comfortable. Please avoid chewing or creating pressure on the bone graft site. Please avoid drinking alcoholic beverages or smoking during the first one to two weeks following your surgery.
- All removable appliances, including partial dentures, flippers, and full dentures, must be checked for proper fit before they can be worn.
- Swelling and bruising may occur. Applying a cold compress to the face near the surgical site will help minimize swelling. If using an ice pack, please do not apply ice directly to your skin but place a cloth between the ice and your skin at all times. You may apply the cold compress for up to 20 minutes on and at least 20 minutes off as needed.
- If you experience severe or persistent sinus or nasal congestion please let us know.