Oral and Facial Surgery Instructions

Oral and Facial Surgery Instructions

Dental surgery, while often performed on an outpatient basis, involves careful preparation and detailed aftercare to ensure the best possible outcomes. For your safety and comfort, we provide clear pre- and post-operative instructions designed to guide you through the process and promote a quicker, safer recovery.

We encourage you to review the information specific to your procedure in the sections below:

  • Before General Anesthesia
    Essential steps to follow before your procedure to ensure a safe experience under general anesthesia.

  • After Dental Implant Surgery
    Guidelines for caring for your dental implants, ensuring optimal healing and long-term success.

  • After Tooth Extractions
    Detailed instructions to help manage pain, reduce swelling, and avoid complications following an extraction.

If you have any questions or concerns about your procedure or recovery, please feel free to contact us. We are here to help you every step of the way.

Before General Anesthesia

Before your dental surgery, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss any concerns during your pre-operative appointment. We encourage you to ask questions and express any fears you may have. Our primary goal is to create a safe, comfortable environment for you on the day of surgery, so open communication is essential. Below are some important guidelines to help you prepare for your dental surgery. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.

Leading Up to the Day of Surgery

  • Fasting Requirements: If you have a morning appointment, fasting must begin at midnight the night before surgery. For afternoon appointments, do not eat anything for 8 hours prior to your scheduled surgery.

  • Allowed Fluids: During fasting, you may only drink clear fluids, such as water, apple juice, black coffee, and sports drinks. Please avoid alcohol, orange juice, milk, creamers, and other opaque drinks. Additionally, refrain from drinking all fluids within 6 hours of your surgery. If you have any questions about what you can consume, please ask during your pre-operative appointment.

  • Medications: You may continue taking the following medications with a small sip of water before surgery:

    • Cardiac medications
    • Pulmonary medications
    • Steroids
    • Anti-seizure medications
    • Anti-Parkinson’s medications

    Prohibited Medications: Please avoid MAO inhibitors, anti-depressants, aspirin, anti-coagulants, and anti-inflammatory drugs. We ask that you stop taking these medications at least two days prior to surgery, as they can cause complications.

  • Alcohol and Tobacco: Please refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages or using tobacco products for 24 hours before and after your appointment.

Day of Surgery

  • Accompaniment: If you are a minor, a parent or guardian must be present for the duration of your surgery. All patients are required to have a licensed driver take them home after their appointment. We recommend being accompanied by someone for at least 12 hours post-surgery.

  • Personal Hygiene: Brush your teeth as usual, but avoid swallowing any water or toothpaste. Do not wear makeup or nail polish.

  • Contact Lenses and Jewelry: Please remove any contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures before surgery.

  • Clothing: Wear loose, comfortable clothing and flat-soled shoes. Shirts with sleeves that are ¾ length or shorter are ideal.

  • Post-Surgery Care: After surgery, you will not be fully alert and should not return to work or school, drive, or operate any hazardous equipment. Make sure you have assistance when navigating stairs or performing any physically demanding tasks.

If you experience any changes in your health the morning of your appointment, please contact our practice immediately. A cold or fever with chest or sinus congestion may significantly affect your surgery, so it is crucial to inform us. If necessary, we will reschedule your appointment.

After Dental Implant Surgery

Following dental implant surgery, it’s crucial to care for the area around your new implant meticulously. For the first month, while the implant integrates with the bone and surrounding tissues, your care routine will be more involved. Above all, avoid disturbing the surgical site in the initial days after surgery. Refrain from rinsing, spitting, or touching your mouth for 24 hours to prevent contamination or irritation. Please adhere to the following care instructions:

  • Antibiotics: Take all prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection at the surgical site. Begin using the prescribed oral rinse 24 hours after surgery, twice daily, along with a warm saltwater rinse 4-5 times a day, preferably after every meal or snack.

  • Bleeding: It is normal to see blood in your saliva during the first 24 hours after surgery. Bite gently on gauze pads to help control and reduce blood flow, applying constant pressure as needed until bleeding lessens.

  • Pain Management: As the anesthetic wears off shortly after surgery, begin taking pain medication promptly. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol®, Aleve®, or ibuprofen can be effective.

  • Diet: Start with a diet of soft foods but resume a normal diet as soon as you feel comfortable. Staying hydrated is essential, so drink plenty of fluids.

  • Oral Hygiene: To ensure proper healing, keep the surgical site clean. Continue brushing your teeth as usual, avoiding sutures and the implant itself. The antibiotic and saltwater rinses will help disinfect the area.

  • Swelling: Some swelling is expected after surgery. To minimize it, keep your head elevated and reduce activity levels. Use ice packs continuously for the first 48 hours to help alleviate facial swelling.

  • Prosthesis and Night Guards: Avoid using partial dentures, flippers, full dentures, retainers, or night guards for at least 10 days after surgery. Any special circumstances will be discussed during your pre-operative consultation.

  • Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of infection and may hinder the successful integration of your dental implants. We recommend abstaining from smoking for at least 2 weeks post-surgery.

What Does Recovery Involve?

Recovery after dental implant surgery varies by patient and typically occurs in phases. Your primary focus should be maintaining proper oral hygiene to facilitate the healing process and ensure the implant fuses with the jawbone. With appropriate care, a dental implant can last a lifetime.

As you maintain proper hygiene, oral discomfort should gradually decrease, although some swelling, bruising, and minor bleeding may still occur. If pain persists, continue using the prescribed pain medications.

Healing time may differ depending on whether you receive immediate crown placement or wait for the implant to fuse with the jawbone. Your recovery timeframe will depend on your individual case and treatment plan, and follow-up appointments will be scheduled accordingly.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our office.

After Tooth Extractions

Your dentist may recommend a tooth extraction for various reasons, such as tooth decay, orthodontic needs, or wisdom teeth removal. While a tooth extraction is a serious procedure, proper aftercare is essential to minimize pain and the risk of infection.

Immediate Post-Surgery Care:

  • Gauze Pressure: Maintain pressure on the gauze pad placed over the surgical area by gently biting down. If it dries out, dampen it with water. Change the gauze as needed and maintain pressure for 45-60 minutes or until bleeding lessens.

  • Activity Level: Keep your head elevated and limit your activity as much as possible.

  • Rinsing: Start rinsing your mouth with warm salt water every 1-2 hours after 48 hours. Avoid mouthwashes containing alcohol, as they can irritate the wound.

  • Oral Hygiene: Brush the areas around the surgical site gently, avoiding sutures. Do not touch the wound.

  • Swelling Control: Use ice packs on facial areas near the extraction site to control swelling for the first 36 hours.

  • Medications: Take all prescribed medications as directed. If you experience itching or swelling, contact our office or go to the nearest emergency room.

  • Diet: Stick to softer, high-protein foods and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Avoid drinking through a straw for 5-7 days.

  • Tobacco Use: If you smoke, refrain from doing so for 3-4 days to reduce the risk of dry socket and infection.

Healing Timeline:

After extraction, healing takes time. Sutures will either dissolve or fall out within 3 to 14 days. If non-resorbable sutures were used, a follow-up appointment will be scheduled for removal. The empty socket will gradually fill with bone and smooth over with adjacent tissues.

Possible Complications:

  • Bleeding: A pinkish tint in saliva and slight oozing is normal for the first 36 hours. If bleeding is excessive, apply dampened gauze or a moistened tea bag to the area and bite down for 30 minutes. Avoid raising your head or engaging in exercise, which can increase blood flow and bleeding. Contact our office if bleeding persists after 48 hours.

  • Bone Sequestra: Occasionally, small sharp tooth fragments may remain after surgery. These fragments, called bone sequestra, can work their way through the gums during recovery. If you notice any sharp fragments, contact our office immediately.

  • Dry Socket: Pain should gradually decrease after extraction. If you experience increasing pain, especially a throbbing sensation radiating to the ear, you may have a dry socket, which occurs when the blood clot is disrupted. This condition requires prompt attention, so please contact us if you suspect you have it.

  • Lightheadedness: Low blood sugar from fasting before surgery can cause lightheadedness. Stand up slowly, and eat something soft and sugary for relief.

  • Numbness: It’s normal to feel numb for several hours after surgery; this can last 10-12 hours.

  • Swelling: Expect swelling to subside within 10 days. Apply ice packs for the first 36 hours, then switch to warm, damp cloths to reduce swelling.

  • Trismus: Some soreness and difficulty opening or closing your mouth may occur for 3-5 days after surgery, but this should gradually improve.

If you have any concerns or experience complications not mentioned, please contact our office immediately for assistance.