POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
GENERAL | DENTAL IMPLANTS | SINUS GRAFT | BONE GRAFT
General Post-Operative Instructions
IMPORTANT: Post-operative care is very important. Unnecessary pain and complications such as infection and swelling can be minimized if these instructions are followed carefully.
MEDICATION: Take the first dose of pain medication before you begin to feel discomfort (ie. before the local anaesthetic wears off). Over the counter medications include 400-600mg Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) AND 650mg Acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 6 hours. Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen can be taken together for improved pain control. DO NOT TAKE IBUPROFEN IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO TAKE ASPIRIN PRODUCTS OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY YOUR DOCTOR TO AVOID THIS MEDICATION OR NSAIDS. Please call our office if you have any questions about medications. If you have been prescribed antibiotic medications it is very important to take them until completion.
DISRUPTION OF THE SURGICAL SITE: Vigorous mouth rinsing and/or chewing, excessive spitting, and/or touching the wound area following surgery should be avoided. This may delay initial healing, introduce infection and/or initiate bleeding by causing the formed blood clot to become dislodged.
BLEEDING: Minor bleeding or oozing is expected from the operative site and may continue throughout the first day after surgery. The gauze pad placed over the surgical area should be kept in place for one hour. After this time, the gauze pad should be removed and discarded. If bleeding persists or reoccurs at any time, place a fresh gauze pad over the surgical area and continue to apply firm pressure for 30 minutes. This usually controls the issue, however, should active bleeding persist, please call our office.
SWELLING: Place an ice pack on the side of your face for 30-45 minutes every hour while you are awake the first day following surgery to help minimize swelling. Taking Ibuprofen as prescribed will also help. Swelling usually develops during the first 24 hours following surgery and often peaks on the third day after surgery. The swelling will gradually subside over the week. Bruising may also occur on the skin during the first few days following surgery.
ACTIVITY/DRIVING: Restrict your physical activities for the first 24-48 hours following surgery. Overexertion may lead to post-operative bleeding and discomfort. When you lie down, keep your head elevated on a pillow. Do not drive for 24 hours following IV sedation or general anesthesia.
DIET: Drink plenty of fluids, but do not use a straw for several days following surgery as it may dislodge the blood clot and delay healing. Eat foods that are soft and require minimal chewing. Avoid hot food or liquid until the numbness has worn off.
SMOKING: Avoid smoking completely as it slows the healing process and may contribute to the development of an infection or dry socket.
ORAL HYGIENE: Beginning the morning following surgery, rinse your mouth gently with a solution consisting of 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a large glass of warm water. Repeat this 3 times a day until soreness subsides. Resume brushing all remaining teeth and your regular oral hygiene as soon as possible. Oral hygiene is very important because if you avoid brushing the area, additional inflammation will occur. Do not use a syringe for one week following surgery as this can dislodge the blood clot. If you have been given a syringe, begin using as directed one week following surgery.
SUTURES: If sutures have been placed, they will dissolve within 2-10 days following surgery. If the sutures fall out, they do not need to be replaced.
Dental Implant Post-Operative Instructions
IMPORTANT: After dental implant surgery, post-operative care is very important. Unnecessary pain and complications can be avoided by following these instructions carefully.
DISRUPTION OF THE SURGICAL SITE: Do not disturb the would or any sutures placed. Avoid vigorous rinsing and/or chewing, excessive spitting or touching the wound area following surgery. There may be a metal healing abutment (post) protruding through the gum tissue or you may only have sutures.
BLEEDING: Minor bleeding, oozing or redness in the saliva is expected from the operative site and may continue for the first day after surgery. The gauze pad placed over the surgical area should be kept in place for one hour. After this time, the gauze pad should be removed and discarded. If bleeding persists or reoccurs at any time, place a moist gauze pad over the surgical area and continue to apply firm pressure for 30 minutes. This usually controls the issue, however, should active bleeding persist, please call our office.
SWELLING: Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery, however, it varies depending on the procedure performed. To minimize swelling, place an ice pack on the side of your face for 30-45 minutes every hour while you are awake the first day following surgery. Taking Ibuprofen as prescribed will also help. Swelling usually develops during the first 24 hours following surgery and often peaks on the third day after surgery. The swelling will gradually subside over the week.
SUTURES: The sutures (stitches) will dissolve within 2-10 days following surgery. If the sutures fall out, they do not need to be replaced.
DIET: Drink plenty of fluids, but do not use a straw for several days following surgery as it may dislodge the blood clot and delay healing. Eat foods that are soft and require minimal chewing. Avoid hot food or liquid until the numbness has worn off.
MEDICATION: Take the first dose of pain medication before you begin to feel discomfort (ie. before the local anaesthetic wears off). Over the counter medications include 400-600mg Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) AND 650mg Acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 6 hours. Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen can be taken together for improved pain control. DO NOT TAKE IBUPROFEN IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO TAKE ASPIRIN PRODUCTS OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY YOUR DOCTOR TO AVOID THIS MEDICATION OR NSAIDS. Please call our office if you have any questions about medications. If you have been prescribed antibiotic medications it is very important to take them until completion. Please note, if you take oral contraceptives, some antibiotics reduce contraceptive reliability.
ORAL HYGIENE: Proper oral hygiene is essential to good healing. Beginning the morning following surgery, rinse your mouth gently with Peridex (chlorhexidine) after meals. You may also supplement with salt water rinses as needed until soreness subsides. Resume brushing all remaining teeth, but avoid the surgical site(s) and sutures completely for a few days to allow initial healing. You may begin very gently brushing these areas 1 to 2 weeks after surgery.
ACTIVITY/DRIVING: Restrict your physical activities for the first 48 hours following surgery. Overexertion may lead to post-operative bleeding and discomfort. When you lie down keep your head elevated on a pillow. Do not drive for 24 hours following IV sedation or general anesthesia.
SMOKING: Avoid smoking completely as it slows the healing process and has been proven to lead to many complications such as implant failure, infection, increased pain, and prolonged healing time.
PROSTHESIS (Dentures): Partial dentures, “flippers” or full dentures should not be used after implant surgery, unless approved by Dr. Barzan. Prothesis often need to be modified and may put pressure on the surgical areas and be sore to wear.
SINUS LIFT: If you had a sinus lift, please follow the additional instructions below.
Avoid any activities that cause excess pressure or suction in the mouth or nose for 2 weeks following surgery.
Do not blow your nose.
If you must sneeze, do so with your mouth open to avoid sinus pressure.
Do not use a straw.
Do not lift or pull up your lip to look at the area.
Do not smoke or use smokeless tobacco.
You may have bleeding from your nose, this is not uncommon.
Take your antibiotics as directed until the full prescription is finished.
INFECTION: If you feel as though the surgical area was getting better for a couple of days and is now getting worse (pain/swelling) you may have an infection. Other signs are pus coming from the surgical area or swollen, boggy gum tissue overlying the location of the implant. It is important you call the office if you think you have an infection.
Please do not hesitate to call our office at (705) 759-2384 if you have any questions.
Sinus Graft Post-Operative Instructions
IMPORTANT: After sinus graft surgery, please carefully review the GENERAL POST-OPERATIVE instructions. In addition, please follow the instructions below:
Do not blow your nose.
If you must sneeze, do so with your mouth open to avoid any unnecessary pressure on the sinus area.
Do not smoke or use smokeless tobacco as smoking inhibits healing, especially in the sinus graft.
Do not use a straw.
Do not lift or pull up your lip to look at stitches, this may create damage and tear the stitches.
You may have some bleeding from your nose. This is not uncommon and should pass quickly.
You may be aware of small granules in your mouth for the next few days. This is not unusual because the sinus graft is made up of small particles and the body does not accept all of them.
If you feel congested, you may need to use over the counter antihistamines or decongestants. Avoid nasal sprays unless they are saline. In most cases, patients do not require any nasal sprays, antihistamines or decongestants.
Take your antibiotics as directed and until the full prescription is finished.
Bone Graft Post-Operative Instructions
IMPORTANT: After sinus graft surgery, please carefully review the GENERAL POST-OPERATIVE instructions.
You may notice small granules in your mouth for the first several days. It is normal to have some particles come out of your graft site and into your mouth. To reduce the amount of particles that become dislodged follow the below instructions:
Do not rinse your mouth the first day following surgery. Beginning on the second day after surgery, you may gently rinse your mouth with a solution consisting of 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a large glass of warm water.
Do not vigorously rinse or spit for 3-5 days.
Do not apply pressure with your tongue or fingers to the grafted area because the grafting material is movable during the initial healing.
Do not life or pull the lip to look at the sutures, this may cause damage to the wound site and tear the sutures.