Surgical Instructions

Any surgical treatment should be taken seriously, both to ensure your comfort and to provide the right treatment outcome. During your consultation with your doctor, you will receive personalized instructions to prepare you for treatment. In addition to this, we have provided general guidance to prepare patients for care:

Preoperative Anesthesia Instructions

Do not have anything to eat or drink for 8 hours prior to your scheduled surgery. Please have someone present with you to provide safe transportation following your scheduled surgery. For your own safety, you cannot drive yourself home or take public transportation without an escort.

Unless your doctor informs you otherwise, take your usual prescription medications on your day of surgery with small sips of water.

Make arrangements to have someone with you following your surgery. Many of the sedative effects from general anesthesia will continue for the remainder of the day. Having someone you trust nearby to assist you will ensure that you will have a safe and comfortable recovery.

The Following Items Will Be Useful During The Recovery Process:

  • Ice packs
  • Soft, non-chew foods
  • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Please contact our staff directly if you have any questions regarding your surgical care. Thank you for choosing Berks Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center for your surgical care.

After Tooth Extraction, Oral Surgery, And Dental Implant Surgery Instructions

We have provided some basic post operative instructions to make your recovery as comfortable as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office and a member of our surgical team will return your call in a timely fashion.

General Instructions

Do not wear your complete or partial dentures until your doctor gives you permission to do so. If a temporary tooth was/is to be placed on your implant today, it is critical that you do not bite on this tooth until your doctor gives approval to do so.

Occasionally, the cover screw or healing abutment may loosen or fall out – This should not affect the stability of your implant. It is important, however, to call us as soon as possible so we can replace it for you.

It is absolutely essential that all follow-up appointments be kept. Routine follow-up appointments allow us to identify potential problems that could complicate your recovery.

Pain

Some degree of discomfort and pain arises as numbness subsides. We recommend that you start taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory once you arrive home.

Advil/Ibuprofen/Motrin/Aleve are such medications and should be taken as directed on the bottle (usually 400 mg every 4-6 hours). If you are unable to take anti-inflammatory medications, take Tylenol or acetaminophen as directed on the bottle (usually 650 mg -1000 mg every 6 hours). If the pain is not relieved, then you may take the prescribed pain medication as directed.

All pain medications have the ability to cause severe nausea and vomiting, so try to have some food in your stomach before you take them.

Do not wait for the pain to become unbearable before using some form of pain medication, as it will be more difficult to control. Moderate to severe pain usually does not last longer than 24-72 hours, sometimes peaking on the third postoperative day. Relief should begin on the fourth postoperative day.

Bleeding

Expect minor bleeding or oozing from the operative site. This bleeding may continue throughout the first day. Keep firm pressure on the surgical site by biting on a gauze sponge for 30 minutes at a time until bleeding subsides.

Once the oozing has slowed down, try to avoid placing gauze or any other irritant near the surgical site as this will only lead to further bleeding, and discomfort. Biting on a moist tea bag wrapped in gauze may help control persistent oozing.

If active bleeding should recur at any time, carefully rinse your mouth with cold water and apply a fresh gauze sponge to the bleeding site. Firm pressure for 15-30 minutes usually controls the problem. Should active bleeding persist, please call the office and a member of our surgical team will return your call promptly.

The Surgical Site

The first stages of healing are aided by allowing tissues to rest. Avoid vigorous chewing, excessive spitting, or rinsing for the first 24 hours as initial healing may be delayed, active bleeding restarted, or infection introduced.

After a tooth extraction, avoid using a straw to ingest liquids, as it may cause the blood clot to dislodge and delay healing.

Try to avoid smoking completely, as it tends to slow the healing process and, it may also contribute to infection & prolonged discomfort.

Do not worry about the stitches if they start to come out – The sutures usually dissolve in 5-7 days and typically do not require removal.

Swelling

Swelling usually develops during the first 12-24 hours following surgery, often peaking on the third postoperative day. Swelling can be minimized by placing an ice pack on the affected side at 30 minute intervals during the first 48 hours after surgery.

Any swelling, soreness, or stiffness in the jaw muscles can be relieved by applying a warm moist towel to the affected side of the face several times a day. Moist heat should be used after the first 48 hours.

Activity

Limit activity during the first 24-48 hours after surgery. Excessive exertion may lead to postoperative bleeding and discomfort. When you lie down, keep your head elevated at least 45 degrees on a pillow.

Do not drive an automobile for 24 hours following surgery if you have had general anesthesia or if you are taking prescription pain medication.

Diet

Fluid intake is important. We suggest that you start with clear liquid beverages. You can advance to soft foods and other fluids as tolerated. Please avoid hot liquids until the numbness has worn off and bleeding has stopped.

Food selection is largely a matter of your choice. Soft, cool foods that require little or no chewing are most easily tolerated.

Oral Hygiene

Start cleaning your mouth 24 hours after surgery by using warm salt water rinses (1/4 teaspoon table salt with a small cup of water). Repeat 3 times daily for one week. Brush your teeth starting on the first postoperative day, but be careful not to irritate the treatment site.

Your Medications

Take any regularly scheduled medication on your regular schedule unless advised to do otherwise. Patients taking blood-thinners (e.g. Coumadin) should restart those medications after surgery unless, there is any sign of continued bleeding.

If You Feel That Healing Is Not Progressing In A Normal Fashion Or You Are Experiencing A True Medical Emergency, Contact Our Office Immediately (610-374-4093) And A Member Of Our Surgical Team Will Return Your Call In A Timely Fashion.

Talk To Berks Oral Surgery To Learn What To Expect From Surgical Care!

To find out more about how you can best prepare for oral surgery, and what to expect after your procedure, call Berks Oral Surgery at 610-374-4093!