Post Op Care Instructions

It is our goal that your oral surgery experience be as positive and as beneficial as possible. We provide our patients with detailed post-operative instructions to guide you through your procedure and recovery.

If you ever have questions about your treatment, please contact our office. Our friendly staff is here to help.

Post Op Care: Dental Implant

FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY:

• Do not spit. Use a tissue to wipe your mouth as needed or swallow your saliva.
• Do not smoke.
• Keep your fingers and tongue away from the surgical area.

Spitting, smoking, and poking the surgical area can dislodge the blood clot that is forming and will cause bleeding from the area. Also, smoking can increase the chances of an infection.

BLEEDING

Some minor bleeding is expected after dental implant surgery. It will usually subside quickly and stop within an hour or two after surgery. A little oozing is normal and may persist for several hours.

• Keep gauze on the surgical area with some biting pressure for 30–45 minutes.
• If all else fails, call the office.

SWELLING

Most patients will experience some swelling after surgery in the mouth. It may be mild or severe and is different for every patient. The swelling may increase for the first 24–48 hours before it starts to go away. It may last for several days. Some bruising may also develop on the face.

DIET

You may start with non-abrasive foods such as mashed potatoes, pasta, cottage cheese, soup, or scrambled eggs as soon as the local anesthetic wears off.

You may resume a regular diet as soon as you feel up to it; however, please try not to chew directly on the implant sites.

ORAL HYGIENE

You may start rinsing tomorrow, very gently, with some warm salt water (1 tsp of salt in 8 ounces of warm water). You may brush your teeth per usual, though be very careful near the surgical sites.

SUTURES

Unless told otherwise, the sutures used during your procedure are dissolvable and will fall out on their own. This generally occurs in the first week after surgery, but timing varies from 4–10 days.

BONE GRAFT MATERIAL

If your surgeon placed bone graft material at the time the dental implant was placed, you might notice some gritty material in your mouth.

This is nothing to worry about and should subside within a day or two.

WILL I BE ABLE TO SEE THE IMPLANT?

Depending on the location and stability of the implant being placed, your surgeon may opt to bury the implant under the gum tissue. In time, you will return and have the implant uncovered so the implant can be restored.

If stability is optimal, the second stage procedure can be bypassed, and an attachment is placed that protrudes through the gum tissue, which will be visible. Once the bone heals, the restoring dentist can access the implant without further surgery.

WHEN CAN THE CROWN BE PLACED?

A dental crown can be attached to a dental implant once the implant has fused to the bone. This is a process called osseointegration.

The length of time the bone must heal varies from case to case and will be discussed with your surgeon. The length of time needed for osseointegration is a function of the bone quality, quantity, and implant stability at the time of placement.

MEDICATIONS

You were probably given one or more prescriptions for medications. Take all as directed on the bottle. Call us if you experience severe nausea or diarrhea, or cannot swallow your pills.

• Antibiotics: Continue until the bottle is empty. Do not quit halfway.
• Take pain medication in a scheduled fashion (every 4–6 hours) for the first 24 hours and as needed thereafter.
• Remember that narcotics can make you drowsy, so no driving, swimming, operating machinery, or drinking alcoholic beverages while you are taking them.
• You may wean yourself off the narcotic medication and substitute 500 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol®).
• If directed to do so, you may use ibuprofen, 600 mg, every 6 hours while awake, for the first 4 or 5 days.

ACTIVITY

Once you are no longer taking narcotic pain medication, you may resume your normal activities as you feel up to it. Go easy at first with exercise and recreation and increase your activity slowly over several days back to your normal routine.

Please follow these instructions as closely as possible. They are designed to help you heal quickly and comfortably.

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Post Op Care: Tooth Extractions

FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY:

• Do not spit. Use a tissue to wipe your mouth as needed, or swallow your saliva.
• Do not smoke.
• Keep fingers and tongue away from the surgical area.

Spitting, smoking, and poking the surgical area can dislodge the blood clot that is forming and will cause bleeding from the area. Also, smoking can increase the chances of an infection or a dry socket.

BLEEDING

Some minor bleeding is expected after surgical tooth removal. It will usually subside quickly and stop within an hour or two after surgery. A little oozing is normal and may persist for several hours.

• Keep gauze on the surgical area with some pressure (biting) for 30–45 minutes.
• Remove the gauze after 30–45 minutes and replace it with a new piece of gauze if you are still bleeding. It is important to make sure the gauze is directly on the surgical site. Firm pressure for another hour should stop the bleeding.
• If you find that this is not working after your third attempt, use a moistened tea bag instead of gauze. The tannic acid in tea will help form a clot and stop the bleeding.
• If all else fails, call the office.

SWELLING

Most patients will experience some swelling after surgery in the mouth. It may be mild or severe and is different for every patient. The swelling may increase for the first 24–48 hours before it starts to go away. It may last for several days. Some bruising may also develop on the face.

• Use an ice pack on the cheek or face next to the surgical site. Keep it on for 15–20 minutes, then off for 10 minutes, and repeat until you go to sleep. Start again the next day.
• Sleep with your head elevated slightly (above the heart). This will keep swelling down.
• On the third day, change to moist heat instead of ice packs. This will bring the swelling down quicker.

DIET

You may eat soft foods such as mashed potatoes, pasta, cottage cheese, soup, or scrambled eggs as soon as the local anesthetic wears off, although you’ll likely only feel like eating ice cream or sipping on cool fluid for the first day or so. Please do not drink through a straw for the first week after surgery.

You may resume a regular diet as soon as you feel up to it, although it is recommended that you avoid carbonated beverages for 2–3 days, and avoid crunchy foods like popcorn, chips, peanuts, etc., for 2 weeks after surgery.

Finally, please stay well-nourished and hydrated.

ORAL HYGIENE

You may start rinsing tomorrow, very gently, with some warm salt water (1 tsp of salt in 8 oz. of warm water). Do this after meals and before bed for one week. Do not use alcohol-containing mouth rinses for the first week or so as it will burn. If you get food in a tooth socket, do not use a Waterpik® or toothbrush; we will help you rinse and give further instructions at your follow up visit. You may brush your teeth, avoiding the surgical area, either tonight or tomorrow morning. Be gentle! Do not spit or rinse forcefully.

SUTURES

Unless told otherwise, the sutures used during your procedure are dissolvable and will fall out on their own. This generally occurs in the first week after surgery, but timing varies from 4–10 days.

SEDATION AND GENERAL ANESTHESIA PATIENTS

If you had anesthesia during your procedure, you should remain under the supervision of a responsible adult for the remainder of the day.

Also, your IV site may be tender to the touch, and you may even develop a small bruise. A heating pad and elevating your arm (resting it on a pillow) may help with tenderness in the area. Please call your doctor if the pain persists or the IV site becomes swollen.

MEDICATIONS

You were probably given one or more prescriptions for medications. Take all medications as directed on the bottle. Call us if you experience severe nausea or diarrhea, or cannot swallow your pills.

Antibiotics: Continue until the bottle is empty. Do not quit halfway.

Pain Medicine: Usually it is necessary to take narcotic pain medication in a scheduled fashion (every 4–6 hours) for the first 24 hours and as needed thereafter. Remember that narcotics can make you drowsy, so no driving, swimming, operating machinery, or drinking alcoholic beverages while you are taking them.

You may wean yourself off of the narcotic medication and substitute 500 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol®). If directed to do so, you may use ibuprofen, 600 mg, every 6 hours while awake, for the first 4–5 days.

ACTIVITY

Once you are no longer taking narcotic pain medication, you may resume your normal activities as you feel up to it. Go easy at first with exercise and recreation and increase your activity slowly over several days back to your normal routine.

Please follow these instructions as closely as possible. They are designed to help you heal quickly and comfortably.

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Post Op Care: Jaw Surgery

SWELLING

• You were given medication in the hospital to help minimize swelling. Swelling will likely peak 48–72 hours after surgery and decrease from that point.
• Keeping your head elevated by resting in a recliner or sleeping with an extra pillow will help limit swelling.
• Using ice packs for the first 24–48 hours will also help limit swelling.

CONGESTION / SECRETIONS

• Your nose may feel congested after surgery on your upper jaw. Please do not blow your nose as this increases the pressure in the surgical site.
• Congestion is at its peak usually between days 3 and 5.
• Plan to use a vaporizer in your room.
• Your surgeon may have discharged you from the hospital with decongestant medications; follow the directions on the bottles.

PAIN

Your surgeon gave you a prescription for pain medication. It is expected that you will need pain medication for a few days following your jaw surgery. If you are not experiencing any pain, then you do not need to take the medication.

Tapering down on your medication is also encouraged. If your pain medication is not adequate or if you are experiencing dizziness or headaches following pain medication, please call your surgeon.

NAUSEA AND VOMITING

Call your surgeon if you experience nausea following surgery or with pain medication use. Medication is available to help with this.

ORAL HYGIENE

Good oral care after surgery keeps the surgical area clean and helps prevent infection. It also helps promote a feeling of comfort to have your mouth clean. Oral care begins within 12 hours after surgery and must be continued when you go home.

RINSES

• Saline (saltwater) rinses should be done every 4 hours, or more often if needed. Use 1/4 teaspoon of table salt dissolved in 8 ounces (1 cup) of warm water for the saline rinses.
• Avoid the use of strong mouthwashes. In addition to this, you will have a prescription for a bottle of chlorhexidine (Peridex™) to use as a rinse twice daily. Please use this for the first 7–14 days after surgery.

TOOTH BRUSHING

• Brushing should be done with a soft, small toothbrush.
• Your swollen lips will make it more difficult for you to be aware of the saliva that collects in your mouth. Thus, you may experience some drooling. This is only temporary.
• Your lips, particularly the lower lip and some of your gum tissue, may feel numb after surgery. Brush carefully and keep the toothbrush on your teeth.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

You may find that the first days and weeks after surgery are difficult both physically and emotionally. At times, you may wonder why you decided to go forward with surgery. These feelings are common and usually quickly subside as you begin to feel and look better. Be prepared to make adjustments in the following areas:

COMMUNICATION

• You will likely have elastics on between your upper and lower teeth.
• Talking may be frustrating for you, especially with elastics on, but you will not hurt anything by talking.
• You may want to write on a tablet or whiteboard to communicate during the first few days after surgery.
• Talking will become easier once facial swelling decreases.

REACTION TO YOUR APPEARANCE

• Jaw surgery changes your appearance. If your appearance is markedly different after surgery, you can expect family and friends may be surprised by the difference.
• Instead of having to explain your surgery to each person you encounter, let family and friends know ahead of time that you will look different following surgery and that their support will mean a lot to you.

DIET

Adequate nutrition is important right after surgery. For a few days after surgery, you will likely not feel hungry or thirsty. It is important to remain well-nourished and well-hydrated.

Plan for a puréed diet for the first 2–4 weeks after surgery. After the first 2–4 weeks, you may advance your diet to things like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and soft pasta. The timing of your diet advancement will be discussed in detail with your surgeon at follow-up visits.

Maintaining adequate fluid intake is critical to your health and well-being.

Caffeine products will dehydrate you and are not recommended for a couple of weeks after surgery.

Alcohol can make you nauseated and impair your judgment; this places you in danger.

ACTIVITY

Beginning the day after surgery, you will be encouraged to get out of bed to walk or to sit in a chair. When you get home it is important to move around.

• Expect to be fatigued from simple activities.
• It is okay to shower — the steam will help with nasal congestion — but a long hot shower could make you dizzy!
• Make sure that several times a day you are getting up and moving around, changing position and taking deep breaths.

MEDICATIONS

The medications that you take home with you after your jaw surgery may include an antibiotic, a decongestant, and pain medication. Your medications will likely be in liquid form. If you have other medications that you normally take your surgeon will discuss with you how to take those medications with tight elastics in place.

• Antibiotics: Continue until the bottle is empty. Do not quit halfway.
• Pain Medicine: Tyke opioid (narcotic) pain medication in a scheduled fashion (every 4 hours) for the first 24 hours and as needed thereafter. Remember that narcotics can make you drowsy, so no driving, swimming, operating machinery, or drinking alcoholic beverages while you are taking them.
• You may wean yourself off the opioid medication and substitute with 500 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol®).
• If directed to do so, you may also use ibuprofen, 600 mg every 6 hours while awake, for the first 4 or 5 days.
• Peridex™ (chlorhexidine) mouth rinse: Use twice daily for 2 weeks after surgery.

Call your physician promptly if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Fever of 100.4° F (38° C) or higher
• Pain that worsens or is not relieved by medication
• Discharge or foul taste in your mouth
• Nausea or vomiting

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Post Op Care: Sinus Surgery

FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY

• Do not spit. Use a tissue to wipe your mouth, or swallow your saliva.
• Do not smoke.
• Keep your fingers and tongue away from the surgical area.

FOR TWO WEEKS FOLLOWING SURGERY

• No nose blowing.
• If you have to cough or sneeze, make sure your mouth is open.
• No drinking from a straw.
• If you have sleep apnea, your surgeon will discuss your use of a CPAP.
• Smoking will be detrimental to your healing and increases your risk for infection and need for more surgery.

BLEEDING

Some minor bleeding is expected after surgical treatment. It will usually subside quickly and stop within an hour or two after surgery. A little oozing is normal and may persist for several hours. It is not unusual for there to be a little trickle of blood from your nose on the same side as the sinus surgery in the first couple of days after surgery. This can be prevented by keeping your head above the level of your heart.

• Keep gauze on the surgical area with some (biting) pressure for 30–45 minutes.
• Remove the gauze after 30–45 minutes and replace it with a new piece of gauze if you are still bleeding. It is important to make sure the gauze is directly on the surgical site. Firm pressure for another hour should stop the bleeding.
• If you find that this is not working after your third attempt, use a moistened tea bag instead of gauze. The tannic acid in tea will help form a clot and stop the bleeding.
• If all else fails, call the office.

SWELLING

• Most patients will experience some swelling after surgery in the mouth. It may be mild or severe and is different for every patient. The swelling may increase for the first 24–48 hours before it starts to go away. It may last for several days. Some bruising may also develop on the face.
• Use an ice pack on the cheek or face next to the surgical site. Keep it on for 15–20 minutes, then off for 10 minutes, and repeat until you go to sleep. Start again the next day.
• Sleep with your head elevated slightly (above the heart). This will keep swelling down.
• On the third day, change to moist heat instead of ice packs. This will bring the swelling down quicker.

MEDICATIONS

You were probably given one or more prescriptions for medications. Take all medications as directed on the bottle. Call us if you experience severe nausea or diarrhea or cannot swallow your pills.

• Antibiotics: Continue until the bottle is empty. Do not quit halfway.
• Pain Medicine: Take pain medication in a scheduled fashion (every 4–6 hours) for the first 24 hours and as needed thereafter. Remember that narcotics can make you drowsy, so no driving, swimming, operating machinery, or drinking alcoholic beverages while you are taking them.

OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS

• Decongestants – to promote sinus drainage. Use these only if your surgeon recommends them.
• Nasal sprays – to promote drainage. Saline nasal sprays can be purchased at the pharmacy (for example, Ocean® Nasal Spray). Two puffs in each nostril 6 times per day plus as needed to promote drainage.
• Antihistamines – to avoid sneezing. Ask your surgeon prior to using antihistamines.

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Questions?

We are here for you.

If you have a question about your procedure or treatment plan, our center has 24-hour surgeon availability. If you would like to speak to your surgeon, please contact us at any time.

During business hours, please call our office. After hours, please call our office, and our answering service will page a surgeon. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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