Post Operative Instructions

Post Operative Instructions

BLEEDING: Slight bleeding may not be unusual. Your saliva may be tinged with blood for up to 24 hours. Gauze should be left in place for at least 2 hours after the procedure keeping strong pressure. Do not forcefully spit or irritate the surgery site. This may cause more bleeding. If bleeding returns or continues go back to using a gauze pack with firm pressure for 1/2 an hour.

PAIN: It is not uncommon to have pain for a few days after the procedure. Take pain medications as needed. The first day it is recommended that you take pain medicine as soon as minimal pain comes because it is easier to prevent pain than to reduce it. Pain medications are most effective when taken before the local anesthetic has worn off. Pain management is as follows (if not contraindicated by your physician or unless discussed differently with your dentist):

600 mg of Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) every 4-6 hours as needed 1000 mg of Acetaminophen every 4-6 hours alternating with Ibuprofen Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen are different medications and they work different to manage pain. The combination of those two medications has shown in literature to be better than taking narcotics. Please beware of any other medications that you may be using that may have Acetaminophen in it. If in doubt, call your pharmacist.

SWELLING: After surgery, swelling around mouth, cheeks, eyes, or side of face is very common. It is body’s natural response to healing. Swelling will be most noticeable the day after surgery and will reach its maximum on day 2-3 post-operatively. The swelling may be minimized by ice packs. Apply icepack to the outside of your face, at the surgery site, for 20 min on and 20 minutes off for the first 24 hours. Prepare those by placing dish sponges or washcloths in Ziplock bags and then in a freezer. Frozen peas also work well. After 24 hours moist heat can be applied to area. Sleeping with your head elevated above your heart for the first two nights will also reduce swelling.

BRUISING: Bruising is very common after surgery. It may be present over the surgery site or in the lower chin area. Black, blue, green, and yellow discoloration is due to blood spreading under the tissues. This may be seen 2-3 days after the procedure and last up to 14 days. Moist heat applied to this area (after 24 hours) can help speed up the removal of discoloration.

DIET: After surgery it is important to drink lot of liquids and eat soft nutritious food. Acidic and spicy good such as tomatoes, orange juice or citrus fruit can be eaten after the site has healed for 2 weeks. Do not drink thru a straw for at least 48 hours, this can dislodge a blood clot necessary for healing and lead to significant pain. For the first few days, favor chewing with the other side of your mouth.

ORAL HYGIENE: Hygiene is very important because the presence of food and debris may promote swelling and infection. You may brush your teeth and rinse your mouth the day after surgery. Brush your teeth as usual, especially gentle (but thorough) around the surgery site. Use warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 12 oz of water) after each meal. Do not brush the surgical site for 4-5 days. Use the chlorohexidine mouth rise 24 hours after surgery as directed.

ACTIVITY: Limit strenuous activity for 2-3 days following surgery. This will reduce bleeding and minimize swelling, which is damaging to the surgical site and delays healing.

FEVER: It is common to have a slightly elevated body temperature for 24 hours after surgery. Please remember to keep hydrated. Please contact the office if you have heigh temperature or if it persists for more than 24 hours.

SMOKING/ALCOHOL: Smoking and alcohol as well as elevated blood sugars will delay healing and predispose you to infection which can result in bone graft and/or implant failure. This can possibly result in additional surgeries, delay in healing and loss of bone graft/implant. DO NOT SMOKE or use alcohol until the incision line is completely healed (2 weeks).

SUTURES: Sutures are placed to minimize bleeding and help in healing. They may become dislodged, or feel like they have moved. If you have lost a suture within the first week after implant placement or first month after bone graft placement, please contact our office immediately.

MEDICATIONS: It is very important that you continue to take all medications as directed by your physician. This includes any medications prescribed by our office. If you develop any side effects to medications prescribed by our office, please contact us immediately. For Women: Be aware that taking antibiotics reduces the effectiveness of your Birth Control Pills, alternative methods should be used.

REMOVABLE PROSTHESIS: Partial dentures, flippers and full dentures should not be used immediately after the procedure unless specifically discussed. If you have a temporary, esthetic, flipper, do not insert it until the numbness has gone away. When it is inserted, it should not touch the gums of the surgery site. If it does, contact the office right away for an adjustment. This pressure will cause an ulceration which can lead to the loss of the bone graft or implant.

NUMBNESS: Be cautious until the anesthesia wears off, as you will have no feeling in the surrounding area and can unknowingly injure the site. Care should be exercised when eating as to not injure the soft tissues. Eat or drink on the other side of the mouth, until the numbness goes away. If any numbness persists past 5 hours, please contact our office immediately.