Surgical Instructions

Pre-operative Instructions

The following instructions may be helpful when preparing for your upcoming surgery. Please do not hesitate to call if you have any last minute questions. We can be reached at (281) 370-1620 during regular business hours.

For your convenience, please have your prescriptions filled prior to your scheduled surgery. Please bring your filled prescriptions with you to your appointment.

It may be important to stop taking Aspirin and non-steroidals such as Motrin and Advil, 7-10 days prior to your surgery. If you are taking Coumadin or another blood thinner, remember to discontinue them as directed. If you take antibiotic premed, please take it as directed before your surgery. You will feel better if you have eaten prior to surgery. We keep the office cool, so dress warmly. You may bring your iPod or MP3 player with you if you would like.

In order to evaluate your progress and healing, we will see you for weekly post-operative checks during the first 1 – 5 weeks. After surgery, in most cases, we will also look forward to seeing you back for a periodontal maintenance cleaning and an examination of tissue maturation about 10-12 weeks following the surgery.

Antibiotics

Please alert the office to any allergies or sensitivities that you might have to antibiotics. You will be prescribed an antibiotic if our doctor determines it to be necessary.

Sedatives

If you elect to use one of the following oral sedatives you must have someone, 18 years of age or older, drive you to and from surgery. Your driver is required to remain at the office for the duration of the procedure, they cannot just drop you off and pick you up. Please bring your remaining tablets with you. Remember, we encourage you to eat prior to your surgery.

• Ativan (Lorazepam)
• Valium (Diazepam)

Food Suggestions

When preparing a post-op menu, please consider some of the following choices:

Post-operative Instructions

These instructions apply to the surgical procedure just completed. They are designed to help you minimize post-surgical discomfort and inform you of any situation that may require special attention.

Pain Medications

It is not unusual to have discomfort for at least the first week following your surgical procedure. You will be given a prescription for pain medication to help you tolerate the post-surgical recovery period. Please take your medications as directed. If necessary, you may take your pain medication more frequently than every 4-6 hours to stay ahead of the soreness. It is advisable to not take pain medication on an empty stomach, as nausea may result.

As an alternative to prescription pain medication, some patients have found taking over the counter Ibuprofen, Tylenol, or Aleve to be effective.

Note: When taking any prescribed medication containing Acetaminophen (Tylenol), i.e.; Percocet, Hydrocodone, Vicoden or Tylenol with Codeine, you should not take additional Tylenol so as not to exceed the safety level of Acetaminophen. Please contact the office with any questions you may have.

Antibiotics

An antibiotic will be prescribed following your surgical procedure. This is a precaution to prevent infection in the treated area. Take as directed until gone. It is advisable not to take these medications on an empty stomach, as nausea may result. For women taking birth control pills, be advised that antibiotics may interfere with their effectiveness.

Swelling

Swelling is always a possibility following your surgical procedure and will typically increase 2-3 days after the procedure. To minimize the swelling, place an ice pack over the outside cheek area for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. Ice packs are only used the first day, then heat packs are used.

Bleeding

A small amount of bleeding is normal. If excessive or continuous bleeding occurs:

• Do not rinse your mouth with any form of mouthwash, warm salt water rinses are recommended.
• Elevate your head when lying down.
• Enclose a moistened tea bag in a gauze square and apply pressure for 20 minutes.
• Call the office if bleeding persists.

Dressing

The dressing (which acts as a medicated dental bandage) is used to protect the surgical site and help reduce discomfort and infection while healing. If the dressing comes off, there is no need to panic, please call the office for direction. The dressing will either self-destruct, or will be removed by our staff member at your post-operative appointment. Do not remove the dressing yourself.

Diet

Until comfortable, avoid chewing on the side where surgery was completed. Avoid hot foods and liquids for approximately 1 hour following the surgery so as not to soften the dressing. A soft diet is recommended. Foods such as cottage cheese, oatmeal, soup, eggs, yogurt, pasta, mashed potatoes, casseroles, and fruits are more easily eaten. Remember, adequate nutrition is essential for feeling better as well as for healing.

Smoking

Do not smoke for at least 24 hours (48 hours if even better) following your surgical procedure. It will significantly slow healing and can compromise results.

Alcohol

Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medications.

Rinsing

Following surgery, do not rinse with any mouthwash, prescribed or otherwise. Warm salt water rinses are recommended, as it helps to promote healthy tissue growth without damaging the tissue.

Brushing

You may brush over the dressing, as if it is not there; however, do not floss. If you use an electric toothbrush, you may want to turn it off and brush manually over the dressing, as the vibrations may cause added sensitivity to the surgically treated area.

Suture Removal

You may notice increased discomfort 3-4 days after the surgical procedure. As the tissues begin to heal, they may pull against the sutures and dressing. You may choose to take some form of pain medication one hour prior to your suture removal appointment to minimize tenderness. ***If you are a patient for whom Antibiotic Pre-Medication is required, take the prescribed antibiotics 1 hour prior to your suture removal appointment.***

Contact Us

Should you have any questions or concerns during regular office hours, please do not hesitate to contact us at (281) 587-0646.