Post Operation

General Oral Surgery

Bleeding:

Bleeding is expected following an oral surgery. If a gauze pad has been placed in your mouth following surgery, leave it there for at least 30 minutes — holding it firmly over the surgical site.

If bleeding continues, place additional gauze pads over the site of operation and apply pressure by using your finger, or by firmly biting.

Rinsing:

Do not rinse your mouth for at least seven days following surgery! Rinsing or spitting may dislodge the graft. Resume your normal hygiene the next day; although, avoid brushing directly over the area. A small amount of toothpaste on a fingertip or cotton swab may be used to keep the area clean.

Swelling and Discoloration:

A certain amount of swelling and discoloration should be expected –– the height of the swelling occurring the 48 hours following surgery. The discoloration may not show up for two to three days following surgery, and can take up to two weeks to completely resolve.

Place an ice bag or cold towel on your face for 30 minutes of every hour during the first 48 hours.

After the second day, you may place a warm heating pad or towel to your face for no more than 20 minutes of every hour.

Smoking:

Don’t smoke for at least seven days!

Pain:

Pain is usually the worst from four to eight hours following the operation, even with your prescribed medication. Follow your doctor’s orders — if severe pain persists after 12 hours, call your dental specialist.

Driving:

All patients who undergo general anesthesia, or intravenous sedation are required to leave with a companion, and should refrain from driving a car, or operating heavy machinery for 24 hours.

 

(Crowns)

Don’t chew on anything until your numbness is gone (approx three to five hours after leaving the office).

Refrain from eating sticky foods. Your temporary veneer will be held in place by an adhesive that is very susceptible to sticky foods. These foods may dislodge or even break your crown.

A temporary crown will not be strong. If you’re not gentle — you may break or dislodge the crown.

Don’t leave your temporary restoration out of your mouth.

Use dental adhesive to carefully place your crown.

(Dentures)

We hope you realize that the process of getting your dentures to fit and feel just right is not instantaneous; however, we promise to work with you until we have your dentures fitting and feeling right.

Your mouth will have a few “sore spots” after wearing dentures for a long period of time. Don’t worry! We’ll fix that during your next visit.

Your bite may not feel normal for a few weeks. We will adjust the contact surfaces of your teeth after your dentures/partials have settled into place.

Brush your gums with a regular toothbrush once a day

Brush your dentures with a mild toothpaste

We recommend removing your dentures at night and soaking them in water.

 

(Extractions)

After an extraction, your healing process will revolve around the formation of a blood clot. We realize this sounds a bit odd, but a clot will reduce bleeding, and allow healing to commence.

Here are some important things to keep in mind:

Don’t smoke.

Actively rinse your mouth with warm salt water three times a day — preferably after meals.

Don’t clean anywhere around the extraction site! You could dislodge the clot!

Drink plenty of fluids.

Eat soft, nutritious foods before and after the extraction.

Don’t consume alcoholic beverages.

Avoid spicy foods.

You’re on strict orders for the first 24 hours. Engage only in calm activities. Low blood pressure reduces bleeding, and further promotes the healing process.

Use an ice bag to help regulate pain and swelling. The swelling usually subsides after 24 hours. To further control discomfort — it may be necessary to take your prescribed medications. It’s in your best interest to follow your doctor’s orders.

Normally, you can resume your diet and dental hygiene habits the following day — or when it’s comfortable to do so. To promote healing, it’s also important to brush and floss daily.

Call your dental office immediately if you have bleeding, severe pain, a reaction to medication, or continued swelling after two to three days.

(Root Canals)

Remember for the three to four days following the surgery:

Avoid both hard and sticky foods (especially gum).

Chew on the opposite side of your mouth.

Don’t drink alcoholic beverages.

Don’t smoke for at least 4-5 days (this may cause dry sockets).

Rinse three times a day with warm salt water — preferably after meals.

Standard root canal therapy can often take two or more appointments to complete. Temporary fillings or crowns are placed by your dental specialist to protect your tooth. It’s important that you are attentive of your temporary fillings/crowns. It’s normal for a small portion of your filling to wear away or break off; however, if the entire crown or filling comes off, call your dental specialist so it can be replaced.

It’s common for patients to experience mild discomfort for one to two days; activities like chewing could result in discomfort for several days after the procedure. To combat this discomfort, pain medication may be prescribed. If your dental specialist prescribes antibiotics, follow your doctor’s indicated instructions.

(Veneers)

Plastic restorations will serve you while your permanent veneers are being made. The plastic restorations are designed and attached in a way that makes removing them simple.

If your temporary veneers fall out, it’s important to immediately notify your dental specialist. Dental adhesives can be used to fix a temporary veneer.

Some things to remember:

• The size, shape, and color of the temporary veneer does not at all resemble the final veneer
• Temporary veneers may leak saliva or food.
• Sensitivity to hot and cold is normal.
• Avoid heavy brushing.
• Rinse with warm salt water three times daily — preferably after meals.

Your permanent veneers will be made out of the finest materials available; however, there are a few things you must remember:

Avoid chewing extremely hard foods (candy, ice, raw veggies, etc.) Use proper dental hygiene! Proper brushing, flossing, and regularly scheduled clean-ups are vital to the long term quality of your veneers.