​​Preoperative Instructions

If you plan to be awake for your procedure, you may have a light meal prior to your appointment.  If you are over 18, you may drive yourself home.

The following instructions are for those patients having sedation or general anesthesia:

• NO FOOD OR DRINK (including water) for six (6) hours prior to surgery.
• NO smoking at least 12 hours before surgery.  Ideally, cut down or stop smoking as soon as possible prior to the day of surgery.
• A responsible adult must accompany the patient to the office, remain in the office during the procedure, and drive the patient home.
• ​Please wear loose fitting clothing with sleeves which can be rolled up past the elbow, and low-heeled shoes.
• Contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures must be removed at the time of surgery.
• Do not wear lipstick, excessive makeup, or nail polish on the day of surgery.
• If you have an illness such as a cold, sore throat, stomach or bowel upset, please notify the office.
• If you take routine oral medications, please check with your doctor prior to your surgical date for instructions

Postoperative Instructions

A.    Bleeding: Remove the gauze from your mouth upon reaching home or in one hour following treatment.  A new gauze pad may be placed over the surgical area every 30-45 minutes if bleeding persists.  Slight oozing may occur for several days.  Spitting makes bleeding worse. If excessive bleeding is a problem:

• Rinse mouth thoroughly.
• Place a folded piece of sterile gauze or a tea bag over the bleeding area and bite down for one hour. Repeat if necessary.  The gauze should be thick enough to prevent teeth from coming together all pressure should be on the bleeding area.
• Keep your head elevated above chest level with several pillows.
• Apply ice bag.
• Try not to spit, chew or talk for one hour.
• If unable to control excessive bleeding, please call our office. Remember, a small amount of oozing may persist for 24 hours — this is normal

B.    Pain: If you receive a prescription for pain medication, take it as needed with food.  If pain is only minimal, take Tylenol or Advil (Ibuprofen) as needed every 3-4 hours.  Treat pain before it occurs.

C.   Antibiotic: If an antibiotic was prescribed for you after surgery, please complete taking all the medication as directed on your container.  If you believe you are experiencing any unusual or adverse reactions to them (such as hives, rashes, problems with breathing), notify our office as soon as possible.

D.    Swelling: The swelling that is normally expected after oral surgery can be minimized by immediate use of an ice pack. Place ice pack on outside of face over the surgical area, 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. Do this for 8-12 hours after oral surgery.  Swelling usually peaks on second and third days.

E.    Black and Blue: Do not be alarmed if a yellowish-blue-black discoloration appears on your face after surgery.  It may take few weeks to fade away.

F.    Mouth Rinsing: Do not rinse your mouth for 24 hours after surgery.  The next day, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water, rinse three or four times daily, especially after meals for the next 7 days.  You may carefully brush your teeth.  Avoid the extraction sites until the tenderness is gone.

G.    Diet: DRINK ONLY LIQUIDS UNTIL THE NUMBNESS HAS WORN OFF.  Eat as soon as possible after surgery.  Eating helps reduce nausea.

Nausea is a frequent side effect from a general anesthetic.  Eat light, soft foods such as eggs, warm cereal, mashed potatoes, and smoothies and drink plenty of liquids.  Avoid a diet of liquids only.

I.     DO NOT use a straw, no spitting for 24 hours after surgery.

J.    Stitches: Stitches made of resorbable material were used.  They do not have to be removed.  DO NOT worry if they fall out early.

K.    Bone Spicules: Following removal of teeth, loose pieces of bone often work their way through the gums.  This may be uncomfortable.  Should this occur, call our office.

L.     Numbness: The roots of lower wisdom teeth (3rd molar teeth) may rest directly over the nerve of your lip.  Because of this, you may experience numbness or tingling of your lower lip or tongue or chin.  Usually it is temporary and may last from a few days to several months.  Please inform the doctor if you have numbness.

M.    Smoking: Smoking will aggravate bleeding and inhibits healing. Please refrain for 48 hours.  Call this office if you are in doubt about anything or if you develop severe pain, persistent fever, bodily illness, or any other unusual disturbances.

N.   DO NOT DRIVE OR OPERATE MACHINERY FOR 24 HOURS AFTER RECEIVING GENERAL ANESTHESIA OR SEDATION OR AFTER TAKING PRESCRIPTION PAIN MEDICATION.

O.    DO NOT USE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ON THE DAY OF SURGERY OR AT ANY TIME WHILE TAKING PRESCRIPTION PAIN MEDICATION.

P.    Stiffness of the jaw may appear after surgery.  Continued (14 days) stiffness should be brought to the doctor’s attention.  Jaw exercise & warm compressors will help decrease the jaw stiffness.

Q.   There may be a slight ear ache, and a sore throat may develop.

R.   There may be a slight temperature elevation for 24 to 48 hours.  If fever continues please contact the doctor.

Postoperative Instructions after Dental Implants

A.    Diet: Blenderized/soft foods for seven (7) days (soft pasta, soft fish, eggs, etc…)

B.   Medication: Take first dose of pain medication before numbness wears off. A nurse will advise you on average duration of local anesthesia.

If antibiotics have been prescribed, we will advise you when to start.

B.   Care: In the area where the implant(s) was placed apply ice packs to the outside of the face.  Use ice for 20 min on and 20 min off for the day of surgery only.  Ice is used to help reduce swelling.
Start warm salt-water rinses after the local anesthesia wears off.  Do this 4-5 times daily, after meals and at bedtime. Mix 1/4 tsp.  Salt in an 8oz. Glass of warm water.

When brushing teeth or flossing, avoid the area of the implant(s).  The doctor or nurse will advise you when you may begin normal hygiene in the surgical area.  The stitches will fall out within 1-2 weeks.

C.   Do not smoke or use oral tobacco.

D.   Bleeding: In order to stop bleeding, place gauze pack over the surgical site and close your teeth with firm pressure over the gauze pack.