PROCEDURES

Surgical Instructions

Pre-Op and Post-Op Surgical Instructions

Pre-operative Instructions

Preoperative Instructions for Patients Undergoing General Anesthesia or Intravenous Sedation

Do not eat, drink or smoke anything after midnight prior to your appointment.
Take your pre-operative medications (Zantac/Reglan and antibiotic) 2 hours before your surgery as directed with no water or only a small sip of water as required.
All alcohol and illegal substances must be avoided for 48 hours prior to your surgery appointment.
You must have transportation, (Mom, Dad, friend or relative) to accompany you on the day of your surgery. they must accompany you home and remain with you all day and night after your surgery

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE ABOVE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN POSTPONEMENT OF YOUR SURGERY

What to wear for your surgery appointment:

Please wear loose-fitting, short sleeve, comfortable clothing
Remove all jewelry prior to appointment: watches, rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, etc.
Remove nail polish from your fingers
Remove contact lenses prior to appointment time
If you have long hair please tie it back away from your face

What to Expect with an Extraction

The removal of impacted wisdom teeth and surgical extraction of teeth is quite different from the extraction of erupted teeth. The following conditions may occur, all of which are considered normal:

The surgical area will swell.
Swelling peaks on the 2nd or 3rd post -operative day.
Trismus (stiffness) of the muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth for a period of days.
You may have a slight earache.
A sore throat may develop.
Your other teeth may ache temporarily. This is referred pain and is a temporary condition.
If the corners of the mouth are stretched out they may dry and crack. Your lips should be kept moist with cream or ointment.
There will be a space where the tooth was removed. After 24 hours this area should be rinsed following meals with warm salt water until it is healed. This cavity will gradually fill in with new tissue.
There may be a slight elevation of temperature for 24 to 48 hours. If temperature continues, notify us.
It is not unusual to develop bruising in the area of an extraction.
Please take all prescriptions as directed.

Women please note: Some antibiotics may interfere with the effectiveness of your birth control pills. Please check with your pharmacist or physician.

Post-Operative Instructions

Care of the Mouth Following Extractions

What you should do following extractions and other Oral Surgery procedures. Follow the simple instructions below to minimize complications and help ensure prompt recovery.

A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery. Bleeding is controlled by applying pressure to the surgical area by biting on a gauze sponge placed over the socket for one hour. Repeat as necessary. Keep head slightly elevated. If bleeding still persists call our office.
Do NOT use straws to drink liquids.
Do not rinse mouth or spit for 24 hours. Beginning 24 hours after the operation, use warm water mouth rinses (1/4 teaspoon table salt to a glass of warm water) not rinsing forcibly, but gently rinsing the solution over the sockets. This should be repeated every 2 hours during waking hours for 7 days. Good oral hygiene is essential for good healing by removing food particles and debris from the surgical area and this helps prevent infection and promote healing.
To reduce swelling and discomfort: begin holding an ice bag to the jaw for 48 hours after the operation 20 minutes every hour. This aids in reducing swelling. After 48 hours light intermittent heat may be placed on persistent areas of swelling to help reduce this swelling (heating pad on low or warm moist cloth for 10 minutes 4 times daily).
Smoking should be avoided for 24 hours after dental extractions.
After 24 hours you should brush your teeth in areas where surgery has not been performed.
Avoid prolonged sun exposure until healed.
Keep fingers and tongue away from socket or surgical area.
For mild discomfort take Aspirin, Acetaminophen, or Ibuprofen every four hours or as instructed on the bottle. Application of an ice bag can also help reduce discomfort
For severe pain use the prescription given to you. Take as instructed on the bottle.
If the muscles of the jaw become stiff, massage at intervals will help relax the muscles, as well as the use of warm, moist heat to the outside of your face over these muscles.
Diet may consist of soft foods which can be easily chewed and swallowed. No seeds, nuts, rice, popcorn, etc.

Feel free to contact us at 619.463.4486 if any doubt arises as to your progress and recovery.

To control bleeding

Immediately following procedure. . .keep steady pressure on the bleeding area by biting firmly on the moist gauze placed over the surgical area. Pressure helps reduce bleeding and permits formation of a clot in the tooth socket. Change the gauze pad every 30 minutes until the bleeding has stopped. For persistent bleeding use moist tea bags for pressure dressings.

After 24 hours... some oozing of blood may persist. If necessary, resume use of moist tea bags. After bleeding has stopped, cautiously resume oral hygiene.

Persistent Bleeding

Continued bleeding, if profuse, should be controlled by pressure. Place a square of moist folded gauze or a wet tea bag over the socket, closing the jaw firmly for 45 minutes, repeating when necessary. Remain quiet and keep head elevated. Refrain from rinsing the mouth and excessive talking during this period of bleeding. If this fails to control bleeding, call the office at 619.463.4486 for assistance.

Diet

Eat soft foods that are lukewarm, warm, cool or cold in temperature.
NOTHING HOT (hot spicy or hot temperature) to eat or drink.
Food Suggestions:

FOOD DRINKS

Soups - cooled
Eggs
Cottage cheese
Yogurt or Ice Cream
Pudding or Jello
Fish
Potato - mashed or baked
Macaroni & cheese
Applesauce
Bananas
Use a Blender! Fruit Juice: apple, cranberry,
grape (NO citrus)
Sodas
Milk shake - NO straws
Iced tea
Gatorade
Water
Protein drinks

NO ALCOHOL!

Special considerations following removal of impacted teeth:

Removal of impacted teeth is a surgical procedure. Postoperative problems are not unusual, and extra care must be taken to avoid complications.
Severity of postoperative pain will depend on the procedure and your physical condition. Take medication for pain precisely as directed.
Healing of the surgical site is variable.
Swelling can be expected. Be certain to apply ice bags as directed above and then heat after 48hrs.
Difficulty in opening your mouth widely and discomfort upon swallowing should be anticipated.
Numbness of lips and/or tongue on the affected side may be experienced for a variable period of time.

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 us at 619.463.4486 immediately for further instructions or additional treatment.

Remember your follow-up visit

A postoperative appointment is necessary to ensure proper healing of the surgical site. A follow-up visit will be scheduled. In the meantime, maintain a healthful diet, observe rules for proper oral hygiene. Visit your dentist for regular checkups after your healing is complete.

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