Surgical Instructions

Before Anesthesia

If you do not plan to be asleep or sedated during the procedure and you are scheduled for local anesthesia only; you may eat prior to the appointment and it is not necessary to bring an adult with you to the office unless you are under eighteen years of age. >>Read More about Anesthesia.

General Post-Operative Care

The primary goals of post-operative care after oral surgery are: control the bleeding, good nutrition, adequate pain management, excellent oral hygiene, and proper wound care. Good post-operative care is very important. >>Read more about General Post-Operative Care.

After Wisdom Tooth Removal

For slight to moderate pain, one or two 325mg tablets of Tylenol may be taken every four hours. Ibuprofen 200mg tablets (Motrin or Advil) may be taken as follows: two tablets every 4 hours, 3 tablets every 6 hours, or 4 tablets every 8 hours. >>Read more about After Wisdom Tooth Removal.

After Extractions

After tooth extraction, it is important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. Firm, direct pressure applied to the surgical site will help to stop bleeding. That’s why we ask you to bite on a moistened gauze pad for 30-60 minutes after the appointment. >>Read more about After Tooth Extractions.

After Multiple Extractions

Apply ice continuously, or as much as possible while awake, especially during the first 12-24 hours. Ice is helpful only during the first 72 hours after surgery. Swelling will peak 72 hours after surgery; then it will gradually begin to subside. >>Read more about After Multiple Teeth Extractions.

After Exposure of an Impacted Tooth

Keep strenuous physical exertion to a minimum the first few days following surgery. In general, it is best to avoid strenuous exertion until pain and swelling resolve. If you experience pain, throbbing or bleeding during exercise you should discontinue exercising, wait a day or two then try again. >>Read more about After Exposure of an Impacted Tooth.

After Dental Implant Surgery

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids and hot food on the day of surgery. Liquids and soft food should be consumed on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed. >>Read more about After Dental Implant Surgery.

After Socket Preservation Grafting

A specially prepared cadaver bone graft has been placed into the extraction site to help preserve your jawbone in preparation for implant replacement of the extracted tooth. Your bone graft is made up of many particles. >>Read more about After Socket Preservation Grafting.

After Ridge Expansion Bone Grafting

Please avoid chewing directly on the area or areas where the bone graft was placed. Creating pressure or chewing on the bone graft during the four to six month healing process can interfere with healing of the graft, compromising the outcome or resulting in failure of the bone graft. >>Read more about After Ridge Expansion Bone Grafting.

After Sinus Lift Grafting

You have had a Sinus Lift Augmentation procedure in your upper jaw. This procedure replaces deficient bone height in the area of your first and second molars and occasionally second premolar. >>Read more about Sinus Lift Grafting.

After Incision & Drainage of Infection

You have had an incision and drainage procedure to help evacuate pus from an infected area. A small drain has been placed into the incision site to encourage drainage of pus. Please try not to disturb the surgical wound or the drain by touching it with your fingers or tongue. >>Read more about After Incision & Drainage of Infection.

Wired Jaw Instructions

Do not try to work your jaw back and forth against the wires. This will loosen the wires and teeth and prevent the bones from healing. >>Read more about Wired Jaw Instructions.