Post-Op Procedures

Information for our patients after Dental Surgeries/Extractions and Dental Implant Surgery

POST SURGICAL / EXTRACTION INSTRUCTIONS

dental-surgery-instructions

Bleeding:

Bite on gauze constantly and firmly for ½ hour. If there is no longer any bleeding after you remove the gauze, there is no need to replace gauze.
If bleeding is still evident, replace gauze and bite for 15 min intervals until bleeding stops. Minor bleeding/oozing may continue for a few days.
Biting on a wet tea bag is also effective in stopping bleeding.
For 24 hours, do NOT:
- Smoke
- Drink with a straw
- Rinse or spit with force.

Diet:

Eat nutritious foods today, but avoid heavy chewing around surgical areas.
Avoid nuts or other hard foods that can get lodged into the surgical areas.

Pain:

For minor pain, take Advil or Tylenol as needed, and according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Combining Advil and Tylenol together is proven to be effective for more pain relief.
For more serious pain, take medication as prescribed.

Swelling and Bruising:

Swelling and bruising after surgical extractions is common for 1-7 days.
If the swelling is associated with excessive pain, a bad taste in the mouth, a bad odour to the breath, a high temperature or feeling of malaise, you may have an infection. Please call the office if this is the case.
To decrease swelling, ice packs may be used alternately with a warm pad for 10 minute intervals, though the use of cold packs is not essential.
To decrease swelling, try sleeping with your head slightly elevated.

Oral Hygiene:

Do not gargle or rinse vigorously today.
Avoid brushing the teeth adjacent to the extraction site today.
Starting tomorrow, rinse with warm salt water after every meal to promote healing.

Have a good rest and avoid physical activity for the remainder of the day. If there are any problems or questions, please contact us at the number above.

POST IMPLANT INSTRUCTIONS

implant-instructions

Management of the implant site:

Do not disturb the area. Avoid rinsing or touching the wound on the day of surgery.
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. Do not brush the surgical site on the day of the procedure but please keep brushing and flossing your teeth.
After the first day, use the Sulcabrush to brush the tops and sides of the healing abutment twice per day
After the first day, rinse with warm salt water (1/2 tsp salt in a cup of warm water) 4-5 times per day for the next 2-3 days, especially after meals.

Bleeding, swelling, and pain:

Some bleeding or redness in saliva is normal for 24 hrs. If bleeding continues, please call for further instructions.
Minor swelling can occur after surgery. To minimize swelling, you may apply an ice pack on the cheek in the area of the surgery if you with (20 minutes on and 20 minutes off)
Please take your pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off.
Take 2-3 capsules of Advil Gel Caps 200 mg every 4-6 hours as needed for pain.
If you are not able to take Advil, then Tylenol can be taken instead.

Antibiotics:

An antibiotic will be prescribed following your procedure. Begin taking the prescribed antibiotics as directed until completed to decrease risk of infection. Please alert our office of any allergies or sensitivities that you might have to antibiotics.

It is very important that you:

Avoid smoking for at least 2 weeks after surgery as smoking will slow healing
Keep physical activity to a minimum following surgery as to minimize bleeding from the healing site.
Return to a normal diet as soon as possible and avoid chewing on the implant area.

Questions? Please contact us at the number above.