Surgical Instructions

Before Intravenous Sedation Anesthesia

  • Nothing to eat or drink (including water!) for eight (8) hours prior to the appointment.
  • No smoking at least 12 hours before surgery. 
  • A responsible adult must accompany the patient to the office, remain in the office during the procedure, and drive the patient home. 
  • No driving or operating machinery for 24 hours after anesthesia. 
  • Please wear comfortable loose fitting clothing. If you wear a shirt with sleeves, make sure it can be rolled up past the elbow, and low-heeled shoes.
  • Remove your contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures at the time of surgery.
  • Remove any nail polish or acrylics from at least one finger on EACH hand. Keep makeup to a minimum. 
  • If you have an illness such as a cold, sore throat, stomach or bowel upset, please notify the office.
  • Routine oral medications may be taken with a sip of water.

Post-Surgical Instructions 

  • Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There will be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) 
  • tissue.
  • Bleeding:   
    • Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. 
    • Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills up rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad or moistened black tea bag placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. 
    • If bleeding continues please call for further instructions.
  • Swelling
    • Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. 
    • To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag, or a plastic bag, or towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. 
    • Apply the ice continuously, as much as possible, for the first 36 hours.
  • Diet
    • Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food.
    • Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery and continue for 72 hours post-operatively. Gradually return to a regular diet as tolerated. 
  • Pain
    • Your doctor likely prescribed
      • An anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen or naproxen/aleve
      • A narcotic pain medication such as Norco/Tylenol #3/Percocet
      • An antibiotic
    • Take the Anti-inflammatory medication with the narcotic every 8 hours for the first 24 hours regardless of your pain level.
    • After the first 24 hours, alternate the anti-inflammatory with the narcotic every 6 hours as needed for pain
    • Complete the full course of any prescribed antibiotics
  • Oral Hygiene
    • Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. 
    • The day after surgery, the Peridex should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. 
    • Warm salt water rinses (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day, as well, especially after meals.
    • Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments is no problem. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas.
  • Activity
    • Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. Throbbing or bleeding may occur with vigorous exercise. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. 
    • Keep in mind that you are probably not taking normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.
  • After Dental Implants
    • Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be used immediately after implant placement for at least 2 weeks.