I. Preoperative Instructions for Patients Undergoing Intravenous Anesthesia


You may not have anything to eat or drink (including water) for eight (8) hours prior to the appointment.

You should take your prescription medications the morning of surgery with a sip of water.

If you have any questions regarding your medications, please contact our office.

A responsible adult must accompany the patient to the office, remain in the office during the procedure, and drive the patient home.

The patient should not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery for 24 hours following the anesthesia experience.

Please wear loose fitting clothing, with sleeves that can be rolled up past the elbow, and low-heeled shoes.
 

II. General Post-Op Expectations and Instructions



Follow the simple instructions below to minimize complications and help ensure prompt recovery:

Reduce Activity Immediately Following Procedure

Reduce your activity as much as possible for several hours including unnecessary talking.


Bleeding, Pain, and Swelling is Normal

A certain amount of bleeding, pain, and swelling is normal:


To control bleeding

Immediately following procedure, keep a steady pressure on the bleeding area by biting firmly on the gauze placed there by your doctor. Pressure helps reduce bleeding and permits formation of a clot in the tooth socket.

After 24 hours, some oozing of blood may persist. After bleeding has stopped, cautiously resume oral hygiene.


To relieve pain
Immediately following the procedure, begin taking medication as directed by your doctor to minimize discomfort when the anesthesia wears off and feeling is back to normal. Women please note: Some antibiotics may interfere with the effectiveness of your birth control pills. Please check with your pharmacist.

Application of an ice bag can also help relieve discomfort.


To minimize swelling
Immediately following procedure, apply an ice pack over the affected area. Use 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for 24 hours to help prevent excessive swelling and discomfort.


You may also elevate your head with pillows to prevent swelling.
After 24 hours, discontinue the cold applications.

 
Possible Blurred Vision and Bruising
Do not be alarmed if your vision is blurred for a time following anesthesia or if a "black and blue" bruise should appear at the site of an injection. The arm also may be bruised, swollen and tender to touch due to the IV.


Oral hygiene is Important
Do not rinse your mouth or brush your teeth for 24 hours. These activities may hinder formation of a blood clot that is necessary for proper healing. Resume your regular tooth brushing, but avoid disturbing the surgical site so you won’t loosen or remove the blood clot.

 

Maintain a Proper Diet
Have your meals at the usual time. Eat soft, nutritious foods and drink plenty of liquids with meals and in between. Have what you wish, but be careful not to disturb the blood clot. Add solid foods to your diet as soon as they are comfortable to chew.
 

In Case of Problems
You should experience no trouble, if you follow the instructions and suggestions as outlined. But if you should have any problems, such as excessive bleeding, pain or difficulty in opening your mouth, call our office immediately for further instructions or additional treatment.

 

III. Specific Post-Op Instructions


Wisdom Teeth

  1. Get prescriptions filled.
  2. Eat soft foods after extractions for 3-5 days.  Examples:  Jell-O, pudding, yogurt, ice cream, applesauce, oatmeal, cream of wheat, eggs, mashed potatoes, or macaroni and cheese.  Let hot food cool to room temperature before eating.
  3. Remove gauze after arriving home.  Take extra gauze and fold into a square, moisten with cold water and squeeze off the excess.  Then place the gauze over extraction sites, bite down to apply pressure over these areas for another 30 minutes.
  4. Remove the gauze pads.  If bleeding is minimal after removing the gauze, leave it out- do not replace.  If there is still some oozing, you can repeat step #3.  It is normal to have some oozing over the first 24 hours following extractions, but it should not be constant bright red bleeding.   If you run out of gauze pads, you may substitute a moistened tea bag and repeat the pressure process.  If you feel that the bleeding is excessive, please call our office.
  5. Do not expectorate (spit out) for 3-5 days after surgery.   This may cause bleeding and could dislodge the clot from the healing extraction site, which is known as a “dry socket”.
  6. No straws for 5 days after surgery.
  7. No smoking for 5 days after surgery.  Smoking, specifically nicotine, will decrease healing to the area and prolong your recovery.
  8. Keep your head elevated while resting or sleeping for 3-5 days to minimize swelling.  It is normal for swelling to increase the first three days post-operatively before it begins to improve.  Apply ice packs, (which were provided) as much as possible the first 24 hours.  Once the ice packs have warmed, place them back in the freezer to refreeze.
  9. Take medication(s) as directed.  Taking an antibiotic and/or pain medicines on an empty stomach can cause nausea.
  10. Avoid chips, popcorn, or nuts for 3-5 weeks following surgery.
  11. Begin rinsing out your extraction sites one week following surgery using the syringe we provide.  It is important to get food and debris out of the healing areas. Do not begin rinsing earlier than seven days after, because you could rinse out the healing blood clot.
Extractions
  1. Gauze will be placed over the extraction sites following surgery.  Once you arrive at home, you may remove the gauze.  If you are still bleeding take 2-3 gauze pads, moisten with water, squeeze off the excess water, then place over the extraction site(s).  Bite down to apply pressure.  Keep the gauze in place for 30 minutes.  You may have to repeat these steps several times until the bleeding stops.
  2. Eat soft, cool foods for 24 hours.  Let hot food cool to room temperature before eating.  If possible, avoid chewing in area of the extraction.
  3. No smoking, drinking from straws, or expectorating (spitting out) for 3-5 days following surgery.
  4. You may brush your teeth, but be careful around the extraction site.
  5. Take all prescribed medications as directed. Do not take antibiotics or pain medicines on an empty stomach, because this may cause nausea.
 

Implant

  1. After surgical procedure, you may experience some bleeding, which is normal.  You may use some folded gauze over the surgical area to apply pressure.
  2. You may have some swelling in the surgical area for three days.  It will begin to improve after the third day.
  3. No smoking!
  4. Eat soft foods for the first 24 hours.  Avoid chewing in that area.
  5. You may brush your teeth, but be careful near the surgical site.  If you can see any metal after the implant is placed, use a Q-tip dipped in Peridex (the blue prescription mouthrinse) to swab around the implant.
  6. Take all prescribed medications as directed. Do not take the antibiotic or pain medicine on an empty stomach, as this may cause nausea.
  7. You will need a post-operative appointment in 10-14 days for suture removal.

 

Sinus Lift
  1. After the procedure, you may have some bleeding in the area.  You may use 2-3 gauze pads and apply gentle pressure to the area for 20-30 minutes.  You may experience some bleeding from your nose.
  2. Do not blow your nose.  Try to avoid sneezing.  Sneezing and blowing your nose could dislodge graft material or lead to an infection.
  3. You may have some swelling and/or bruising for up to 3 days following surgery.
  4. Stay on a soft diet for 3-5 days after surgery and avoid chewing in the surgical area if possible.
  5. Take all prescribed medications as directed. Do not take the antibiotic or pain medicine on an empty stomach, as this may cause nausea.
  6. You will need a post-operative appointment in 10-14 days for suture removal.

 

Bone Grafting

  1. After the procedure you may have some bleeding in the area.  You may use 2-3 gauze pads and apply gentle pressure to the area for 20-30 minutes.
  2. You may have some swelling and/or bruising for up to 3 days following surgery.
  3. Stay on a soft diet for 3-5 days after surgery and avoid chewing in the surgical area if possible.
  4. You may notice some particulate material may extrude from the graft site.  The grafted area is typically over packed and it is normal for some excess material to extrude.
  5. Take all prescribed medications as directed.  Do not take the antibiotic or pain medicine on an empty stomach, as this may cause nausea.  It is important to use the medicated mouth rinse (Peridex) twice daily for two weeks following surgery.
  6. You will need a post-operative appointment in 10-14 days for suture removal.

 

Apicoectomy
  1. During the first day, you may apply an ice pack to reduce swelling.  Mild swelling is normal for up to three days after surgery.
  2. Eat soft foods for the first 24 hours.
  3. You may brush your teeth, but be careful around the surgical site.
  4. Take all prescribed medications as directed.  Do not take the antibiotic or pain medicine on an empty stomach, as this may cause nausea.
  5. If you have sutures placed that need to be removed, a follow-up appointment will be scheduled for you in 10-14 days.

 

Biopsy

  1. During the first day, you may apply an ice pack to reduce swelling.  Mild swelling is normal for up to three days after surgery.
  2. Eat soft foods for the first 24 hours.
  3. You may brush your teeth but be careful near the surgical site.
  4. Take all prescribed medications as directed. Do not take the antibiotic or pain medicine on an empty stomach, as this may cause nausea.
  5. You will be notified of pathology results as soon as our office receives them. It may take up to 1 week before results are available.
  6.  If you have sutures that need to be removed, a follow-up appointment in 10-14 days will be scheduled.