After Care

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Lakewood

Postoperative Instructions

Care Following Extraction

• When you leave the office, fresh gauze packs will be in place. These should remain in place until you arrive home. These packs should be removed and new packs firmly placed. Keep gauze packs in place for 30 minutes. Repeat this 2-3 times.
• Slight bleeding is to be expected. The saliva will be tinged with blood, and the taste of blood might be present for up to 24 hours after surgery. For any concerns regarding excessive bleeding, please contact our office. If gauze provided is not enough, more gauze can be purchased at any pharmacy or moistened tea bags can be used.
• You can expect swelling. Swelling is best controlled with ice packs applied to the affected area for a full 3 days when you are awake. Application for 20 minutes on the area and 20 minutes off the area are usually the most effective. For many procedures, the swelling peeks on the third day after the procedure.
• You may be prescribed medications for pain and possibly an antibiotic. Take these medications as directed. Generally, the use of ibuprofen 600mg four times a day compliments the prescription pain medications. We will advise you if this is appropriate for you.
• Lower extraction sites are expected to be sore for two weeks.
• Swelling and discomfort often peak 3-4 days after surgery.
• Liquids and soft foods will be most comfortably tolerated for the first day or two after surgery. Slowly resume normal diet. Avoid very hot liquids, do not consume alcoholic beverages, and do not use straws for the first 1-2 days.
• Do not rinse your mouth the day of the surgery. This will disrupt the clotting process and may cause some postoperative bleeding. The following day, normal hygiene routines may be resumed. Begin to rinse your mouth with warm salt water (one teaspoon in a glass of warm water). Rinse as often as possible, especially after meals and before bed. Continue this for 7-10 days after surgery.
• Patients are advised NOT to smoke for at least three (3) days after surgery. Smoking will contaminate the wound and increase the risk of postoperative complications such as infections, excessive bleeding or painful dry sockets.
• For most single tooth extractions, you may resume normal activities the following day. For wisdom teeth extractions, you will need 3-4 days off your normal routine, keeping activity to a minimum. We will provide excuses from gym or work as needed.

Care Following Bone Grafting

• Minor continuous bleeding from the site is expected and will continue throughout the first day. Active bleeding can be controlled with gauze pressure if needed.  
• You can expect swelling. Swelling is best controlled with ice packs applied to the affected area for a full 3 days when you are awake. Application for 20 minutes on the area and 20 minutes off the area are usually the most effective.
• Please refrain from tooth brushing in the area of the graft for the first two weeks time. You may brush everywhere else as normal. Utilize original listerine, rinse for a full two minutes four times per day to keep the area free of plaque.  
• It is very important not to chew in the area of the graft until we advise you to do so. The bone graft must remain undisturbed for 5-6 months to heal properly. Please eat foods which are easy to chew, and not “crunchy.”
• You may be prescribed medications for pain and an antibiotic. Take these medications as directed. Generally, use of ibuprofen 600mg four times per day compliments the prescription pain medication. We will advise you if this is appropriate for you.  
• You may need to reduce your activity for the first week, especially while swelling is evident and pain medication is needed. You may increase your activity as these symptoms subside.

Care Following Immediate Implant Crown

• Mild to moderate discomfort can be expected the first week after the procedure. Utilize the prescription pain medication along with an ibuprofen category medicine (OTC) to alleviate the discomfort.
• In some cases, some swelling is expected the first several days after the procedure.
• Slight bleeding is expected the first several days after the procedure.
• Do not brush or floss the tooth on the implant for the first 2 weeks after the procedure. Rinse with perioguard mounthwash for a fill 2 minutes twice per day and continue to do so until instructed by our office to stop.
• It is very important to not eat any foods which require heavy chewing in the area of the implant(s) for the first 6 weeks after the procedure. If heavy chewing is allowed to take place, failure of implant healing can occur.
• It is important to let our office know if the temporary crown(s) become loose or feels different.
• Please call our office if you have any questions or concerns during the healing period.

Care Following Implant Placement

• Minor continuous bleeding from the site is expected and will continue throughout the first day. Active bleeding can be controlled with gauze pressure if needed.  
• You can expect swelling. Swelling is best controlled with ice packs applied to the affected area for a full 3 days when you are awake. Application for 20 minutes on the area and 20 minutes off the area are usually the most effective.
• Please refrain from tooth brushing in the area of the graft for the first two weeks time. You may brush everywhere else as normal. Utilize Peridex mouth rinse for a full two minutes four times per day to keep the area free of plaque.  
• It is very important not to chew in the area of the implant until we advise you it is OK to do so.  
• You may be prescribed medications for pain and possible an antibiotic. Take as directed. You may also use OTC pain medications like ibuprofen for reduction of discomfort.
• You may need to decrease your activity, according to how you are feeling and use of pain medications. You may return to normal activity as you feel able.