Preparing for Your Dental Operation

Pre-Operative Instructions

Abiding by the pre-operative instructions is important for your safety and should be followed carefully. Failure to comply could consequently result in the delay, or even cancellation, of the surgery. If you have any questions or are confused about the instructions, please call us.

If there have been any changes to your medical history (recent surgery, medication change, etc.), please inform the receptionist before the scheduled surgery appointment. In your own interest, you should cancel your appointment if you develop a cold, flu, or any other illness. You must cancel at least 24 hours in advance.

Oral Sedation Patients:

A responsible adult who will accompany and remain in the office during the entire procedure must drive the patient home. This applies to all patients, including those over the age of 18.

Diabetic/Insulin-Dependent Patients:

Insulin-dependent patients, make sure you eat before surgery.

All Patients:

  • Try to get a good night’s sleep the day before your appointment – it will be helpful in achieving a smooth recovery.
  • Make sure you take your pre-operative medications as directed and at the appropriate time.
  • Arrive to the office early, if possible.
  • Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. Make sure sleeves, which can be rolled up the arm, past the elbow for blood pressure monitoring.
  • Discontinue all herbal supplements, and aspirin or ibuprofen pain relievers one week prior to surgery (useless physician prescribed).
  • Please refrain from smoking prior to your surgery.
  • Payment is expected on the day of surgery unless other previous financial arrangements have been made.

Post-Operative Instructions

Many of our procedures require that some special care be taken with your teeth and gums after your dental procedure. It is very important that you follow these post operative instructions carefully, as they may be very important in the success of your dental procedure.

Depending on your specific dental procedure while in our offices, your dentist may require that you refrain from certain foods, wash certain areas more often or carefully than normal, or continue to treat the area at home with material you have been given at the office.

Every patient reacts differently to each procedure, so each patient’s post operative instructions may vary a bit with age or complexity of dental procedure.

The following contains several guidelines and recommended post operative instructions, but should you have any questions specific to your procedure or other concerns following your dental procedure, please do not hesitate to call our office.

Post-operative instructions:

When the anesthesia wears off, you are expected to feel some discomfort in the region of the surgery. To help limit this discomfort or swelling, take your post-operative medication as directed. If no medication was dispensed, take 600 mg of ibuprofen (same as 3 tablets of 200 mg Advil) after the surgery and continue to take it every 6-8 hours.

Any prescription medication (antibiotic, steroid, narcotic, etc.) should be taken as described (please inform us if you are allergic to any medication).

Temporary swelling can be expected. To help reduce this keep ice on effected area (on the face) for periods of fifteen to twenty minutes (on/off) for the first 24 to 48 hours. If possible, an elevated headrest (an extra pillow) should be used during the first two nights to also reduce swelling. After 2 days, place a warm compress over your face.

To help reduce bleeding, do not spit or rinse your mouth for 24 hours (except for prescription rinsing). Placing a wet tea bag and applying pressure for 5-10 minutes can help to control bleeding.

You may brush your teeth as normal; avoid contact around the surgical site. It is important not to disturb this site while it is healing. Damage to the surgical site can have deleterious effects for certain procedures. In doing so you may invite irritation, infection and/or bleeding. Be sure to chew on the opposite side for 24 hours and keep anything sharp from entering the wound.

If you have been instructed not to wear your partial/denture, please refrain from doing so. Insertion of dentures too early may jeopardize a successful healing process.

You should be on a soft or liquid diet during the first week after surgery, (especially avoiding nuts, popcorn, seedy foods) to avoid food particles contaminating the wound.

All smoking and alcoholic beverages should be avoided at least one week after surgery. Consumption of alcoholic beverages and smoking is not allowed because it will jeopardize the success of the surgery.

REPORT ANY UNUSUAL OCCURRENCES IMMEDIATELY!

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