Pre & Post Op Instructions

BEFORE YOUR PERIODONTAL SURGERY

DRIVING: You will be able to drive yourself to and from the appointment….* UNLESS you choose to take a sedative medication to help you relax, then you will need to have someone drive you.

MEDICATIONS: Please STOP taking blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, vitamin E and some other herbal supplements one week before your appointment. If you are taking a blood thinner prescribed by a physician, you may need to check with him/her before stopping use of the medication.

FOOD: Please eat a meal containing protein before your appointment.
* DO NOT consume beverages containing caffeine or alcohol before your surgery.
* In most cases, a soft diet is recommended during the first week following surgery. (Pasta, eggs, ice cream, yogurt, smoothies etc.)

REST: Please plan to allow adequate time to heal and rest after surgery, before returning to your normal routine. Limit physical activity for 3-5 days following your surgery.

ANTIBIOTICS: If a bone graft is being placed at the time of surgery, you will be prescribed antibiotics. Please start taking the antibiotic one day prior to surgery.
** If you are a patient requiring antibiotics as a “PRE-MEDICATION”, please remember to take them as prescribed.

DENTURES/REMOVABLE APPLIANCES: It is a possibility these appliances may not be able to be worn for the first week following surgery.

AFTER YOUR OSSEOUS/CROWN LENGTHENING SURGERY

REST: Keep your head elevated for the remainder of the day. Please allow an appropriate amount of time to recuperate from your surgery. Avoid strenuous activity for 72 hours (anything that increases your heart rate).

MEDICATIONS: Take medications as directed. If you are prescribed an anti-inflammatory please be sure to take it for at least 3 days to help with any swelling that may occur.

STITCHES: Stitches will dissolve and start to come out in approximately 7-10 days.

PERIO PACK: Sometimes a packing material will be used to protect the area. This needs to stay on for at least 2 days. Please call us if it comes off prior to 2 days. If it continues to stay in place, leave it alone and we will remove it at your healing check up.

SWELLING: You will experience swelling. The amount of swelling is different for everyone. Ice paks work well to help keep swelling down. We recommend using them as needed for the first 2 days. (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off)

BLEEDING: It is normal to experience light bleeding up to 24 hours after surgery. If you have HEAVY bleeding, please apply firm pressure for 20 minutes with a wet tea bag to re-establish a blood clot.

SMOKING & ALCOHOL: Both will delay the healing process and cause more discomfort in the surgical site. Alcohol will interfere with prescribed medications.

DIET: Please do not use straws or spit for the first 2 days. This could cause blood clots to be pulled away and result in more bleeding. Avoid any foods that are crunchy, crusty or crispy. (Popcorn, chips, seeds, toast, nuts, etc.)

HOMECARE: Please do not use the Sonicare in the surgical site for 2 weeks. A manual tooth brush can be used starting 2 days after surgery, on the tooth only. (Stay away from gum tissue for the first week!)

RINSE: Start using the rinse 24 hours after surgery. 2 times per day, after your home care. Use a gentle rocking motion. DO NOT rinse vigorously.

POST OP CHECKS: You will return to our office several times following surgery so that we may check on the surgical site.

AFTER YOUR DENTAL IMPLANT SURGERY

REST: Keep your head elevated for the remainder of the day. Please allow 3-5 days off of work. Avoid strenuous activities for at least 72 hours (anything that increases your heart rate).

MEDICATIONS: Take prescribed medications as directed.
DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN OR ANY OTHER DRUG CONTAINING ASPIRIN (such as Anacin, Bufferin, or APC); Aspirin can cause severe bleeding after surgery. If any drug causes nausea, itching or skin rash, discontinue the drug and call us IMMEDIATELY.

STITCHES: The stitches will be in place for approximately 2 weeks. At that time, we will remove them.

SWELLING: You will experience swelling. The amount of swelling is different for everyone. Ice paks work well to help keep swelling down. We recommend using them for the first 2 days. (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) DO NOT use heat or drink hot liquids for the first 24 hours. On the 3rd day you may have increased swelling, which is normal.

BLEEDING: There is usually a minimal amount of bleeding following surgery. If you notice a large amount of bleeding from the area you can place a damp gauze and apply light pressure to the area. Keep your head elevated.

RINSING: Starting 24 hours after the surgery rinse with Periogard gently 2 times per day for the next 2 weeks.

SMOKING & ALCOHOL: Both will delay the healing process and cause more discomfort in the surgical site. Alcohol will interfere with prescribed medications.

HOMECARE: Do not attempt to brush or floss in the area of the surgery for the first 2 weeks. Maintain homecare in all other areas.

DENTURES OR PARTIAL DENTURES: Please wear as directed by the assistant or doctor.

DIET: DO NOT USE STRAWS for the first 2 days. Soft foods for the first 2 weeks. Such as pasta, yogurt, pudding, mashed potatoes, milkshakes, protein shakes, etc. Do not eat any foods that are crunchy, crusty or crispy. (No chips, popcorn, seeds, nuts, toast, etc.) Be sure to maintain good nutrition throughout the healing process.

POST OP CHECKS: You will return to our office several times following surgery so that we may check on the surgical site.

AFTER YOUR GRAFT SURGERY

*IMPORTANT: It is critical that the graft does not move during the initial healing. Do not pull your lip out and look at the graft, be gentle washing or touching your face and avoid putting your tongue in the graft area.

REST: Keep your head elevated for the remainder of the day. Please allow an appropriate amount of time to recuperate from your surgery. Avoid strenuous activity for 72 hours (anything that increases your heart rate).

MEDICATIONS: Take medications as directed. If you are prescribed an anti-inflammatory please be sure to take it for at least 3 days to help with any swelling that may occur.

STITCHES: Stitches will dissolve and begin to come out in approximately 7-10 days.

SWELLING: Slight swelling is normal. DO NOT USE AN ICE PAK! Do not use heat on your face.

BLEEDING: It is normal to experience light bleeding up to 24 hours after surgery. If you have HEAVY bleeding, please apply firm pressure for 20 minutes with a wet tea bag to re-establish a blood clot.

APPEARANCE: Approximately 2-3 days after surgery the graft may appear white and look like it is peeling off. This is normal healing.

STENT: The plastic stent is for your comfort only. It does not aid in the healing. After eating and drinking, please take it out and rinse it off.

SMOKING & ALCOHOL: Both will delay the healing process and cause more discomfort in the surgical site. Alcohol will interfere with prescribed medications.

DIET: Please do not use straws or spit for the first 2 days. This could cause blood clots to be pulled away and result in more bleeding. Avoid any foods that are crunchy, crusty or crispy. (Popcorn, chips, seeds, toast, nuts, etc.)

RINSE: Start using 24 hours after surgery. 2 times per day, after your home care. Use a gentle rocking motion. DO NOT swish vigorously.

HOMECARE: Please do not use the Sonicare in the surgical site for 2 weeks. A manual tooth brush can be used starting 2 days after surgery, on the tooth only. (Stay away from gum tissue for the first week!)

POST OP CHECK: You will return to our office 1-2 times following surgery so that we may check on the surgical site.

AFTER YOUR EXTRACTION SURGERY

REST: Limit physical activity after extraction. Bending and heavy lifting should be avoided on the first day.

MEDICATIONS: Do not take aspirin or any medications containing aspirin for the next few days. As a substitute you may use acetaminophen (Tylenol, Anacin III, etc.) or Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB etc.)

GAUZE PACK: You may have a gauze pack over the extraction site. Please keep steady pressure on the area for 20 minutes, this allows a blood clot to form and promotes healing.

SWELLING: Some swelling may occur and this is normal. Ice paks work well to help keep swelling down. We recommend using them as needed for the first 2 days. (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off)

RINSE: Do not rinse your mouth vigorously for the first two days. Warm salt water rinses may be used with a gentle swish after two days to help with healing and to keep area free of food debris.

SMOKING & ALCOHOL: Both will delay the healing process and cause more discomfort in the surgical site. Alcohol will interfere with prescribed medications.

DIET: Please do not use straws or spit for the first 2 days. This could cause blood clots to be pulled away and result in more bleeding or a dry socket. Avoid any foods that are crunchy, crusty or crispy. (Popcorn, chips, seeds, toast, nuts, etc.)

POST OP CHECKS: You may need to return to our office for follow up care on the surgical site.